Q: can a passenger assist handle be installed on the A pillar like on the 2012 explorer xlt?

asked by on August 15, 2016

the overhead placement of the assist handle is awkward-painful and of no use to my handicapped wife.

My car has 175 miles.
My car has an automatic transmission.

It may be possible to mount the grab handle on the a pillar, however, it would require modification to the a pillar panel, and welding a nut to the ’A’ pillar for the handle to attach to. This is not a repair that YourMechanic will be able to do but I suggest contacting a local body shop or even a hot rod shop that does custom stuff like this all the time to find out what the options are. They will most likely want to see the vehicle in person to determine if it is possible to do.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Pinion seal leaking
Hi. The pinion seal leakage is a pretty common problem on older vehicles with differentials. It is generally a pretty inexpensive repair. Lack of fluid can be catastrophic to the differential so it is recommended that the leak is fixed...
Power steering wheel too hard to turn
If your steering wheel has suddenly become hard to turn, and a leak has appeared underneath your vehicle, it is very possible that it your power steering fluid has leaked, and has made your steering wheel hard to turn. Power...
Car overheating and leaking coolant
Cooling system leaks will lead to a loss of coolant, and possibly coolant circulation problems. The cooling system should never be serviced when the engine is hot, or if the system is pressurized, or serious injury can occur. The cooling...
White smoke while idling
White smoke while idling is normally reason to believe that your BMW may need the valve stems replaced, however this can also be the sign of bad Crankcase Ventilation (CCV) gaskets. On top of those possibilities, there are many things...
Intermittently, gas pedal sticks and car keeps accelerating
This can be caused by a variety of things. I would agree with the dealer that floor mats can often times interfere with the pedals in a car. The other thing I would be sure to check is the cruise...
I have the P0420 code
Hi there, thanks for writing in. Code P0420 (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/p0420-obd-ii-trouble-code-catalyst-system-efficiency-below-threshold-bank-1-by-jamahl-walker) has to do with the catalytic converter in your vehicle. The code will need to be diagnosed by checking the vehicle for exhaust leaks, O2 sensor problems, or the wiring to...
Antifreeze leak
The cooling system that is leaking and over 13 years old could be most any component in the system. The cooling system will need to be pressure tested to locate the leaks in the system. The radiators and expansion tanks...
Do you have to remove the transmission to repair the clutch/flywheel on a 2011 Mini Cooper Countryman S?
You do have to remove the transmission transaxle to replace the clutch on this car. If problem did not start until you had clutch done then take back to where clutch was done.
Have you come across any major problems with 2012 Volvo XC70. In looking at a used 3.2L with 61,332 miles. Will there be a lot of
To evaluate the wisdom of a used car purchase you should do three things: 1) Input the year, make and model into the NHTSA database (http://www.safercar.gov) of consumer complaints and read about other owner's experiences have been with the specific...

Related articles

The Best Used Cars to Buy If You’re an Interior Designer
As As an interior designer, you need to transport a great many different items, including fabric, paint and wallpaper samples and sometimes even furniture items. You probably don’t handle overly large loads very often, and when you have to, you’ll...
The Best Used Cars to Buy for Teenagers
If If you’ve decided that you’re ready to purchase a used car for your teenager, then you’re probably pretty picky about what you’re looking for. Likely affordability, safety, and fuel economy are high on the list. With that said we’ve...
How to Chrome and Plate Your Car
One One way to ensure your car stands out from the crowd is to have it chromed and plated. This can apply to just a few portions of the car, such as the grill, mirrors (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/what-is-the-best-way-to-clean-car-mirrors), or wheels (https://www.yourmechanic.com/article/how-to-buy-good-quality-rims). For...