A Pillar grab handle on new Ranger

[AzScorpion]

WOW...now, that is nice. Somebody must be older then 25...

Lol I'm guessing they learned from the Ranger complaints. What's nice is they're interchangeable for colors too. There's one on the passengers side and also on the passengers center console.

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[AzScorpion]

Another thing I love is they put all the window controls on the face of the center console. Makes it much easier to use and a cleaner door look.

 

[Dr. Zaius]

And makes the door a bit lighter too when you remove it.

 

[FoD]

And makes the door a bit lighter too when you remove it.

I thought they were using eco-friendly, self decomposting rope for "doors", especially since the new eco-engine decrees require it to be hay powered...?

 

[rang19ca]

That center console handle on the Bronco is the, Oh Shit handle for the passenger.

 

[jblc]

Take a peak

Hmmm, what am I missing...what should I be seeing?

If an airbag is in the A-Pillar, I wonder why we don't see it deploying in any crash tests?
Crash test 1
crash test 2
crash test 3

The side bags (except side seat airbags) all seem to come from the overhead Safety Canopy...

 

[Robert Scott]

And the controversy continues on the drivers side grab handle. If it were there and you choose not to use it, that is your prerogative. If it is not there, then a lot of us are missing out wishing it were. The 2021 Ranger MS-RT has the handle, but that vehicle is only available in Europe. My question is directed at Phil Schilke, since you were an engineer on the Ranger. If I could purchase the MS-RT left grab handle, could it be installed without doing major modifications to the A Pillar? My last three trucks had the handle and I found it much better than the steering wheel.

 

[Msfitoy]

And the controversy continues on the drivers side grab handle. If it were there and you choose not to use it, that is your prerogative. If it is not there, then a lot of us are missing out wishing it were. The 2021 Ranger MS-RT has the handle, but that vehicle is only available in Europe. My question is directed at Phil Schilke, since you were an engineer on the Ranger. If I could purchase the MS-RT left grab handle, could it be installed without doing major modifications to the A Pillar? My last three trucks had the handle and I found it much better than the steering wheel.

I do wish there was a driver side grab handle...even if it seemingly can't be done for USA market...when I step up on my rock sliders to wipe the windshield, I use the grab handle for pass side and then reach for the invisible handle on driver side...yes...it's needed IMO...

 

[Big Blue]

And the controversy continues on the drivers side grab handle. If it were there and you choose not to use it, that is your prerogative. If it is not there, then a lot of us are missing out wishing it were. The 2021 Ranger MS-RT has the handle, but that vehicle is only available in Europe. My question is directed at Phil Schilke, since you were an engineer on the Ranger. If I could purchase the MS-RT left grab handle, could it be installed without doing major modifications to the A Pillar? My last three trucks had the handle and I found it much better than the steering wheel.

Ah yes, another thread/issue that won't go away. Every time a picture of a ROTW Ranger shows up with a left hand handle it starts anew. It has been proven that the ROTW left hand handle does not fit on our US 5G Rangers. Doesn't even match color much less the fit. Maybe on the 6G, maybe not who knows for sure.

 

[P. A. Schilke]

And the controversy continues on the drivers side grab handle. If it were there and you choose not to use it, that is your prerogative. If it is not there, then a lot of us are missing out wishing it were. The 2021 Ranger MS-RT has the handle, but that vehicle is only available in Europe. My question is directed at Phil Schilke, since you were an engineer on the Ranger. If I could purchase the MS-RT left grab handle, could it be installed without doing major modifications to the A Pillar? My last three trucks had the handle and I found it much better than the steering wheel.

HI Bob,

You have asked a question I cannot answer directly. It is unlikely you idea would work. There are differences between the European Ranger and the North American Ranger, both body structure and interior trim and it is likely that the roof crush requirements that differ between North America and Europe means the A pillar is of a different configuration, but not being part of either program, I can only speculate.

What I do know is grab handles have a tough way to live. Much different loading if you are 120 lbs or 400 lbs for example. This means that your purchase of a European grab handle will have to have a substantial mounting to address robustness of the mounting.

The other thing is that back in my day in Ranger the grab handles were installed on the A pillar for a different reason than the customer access. They were there for reduction in the HIC value during a crash....HIC is Head Injury Criteria. In other words, the grab handle absorbed your melon impacting the A pillar to a value below the Gov mandate for HIC value, which at the time was 500 as I recall...

Some forum member got a hold of a Australian left grab handle and it did not fit.

Sorry I cannot answer your question and even if I was involved with the North American 5G, we would likely never tried to fit a ROW grab handle.

Then there is the cosmetic possible issue of the trim color not matching.

Ok...short story....IDK.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

 

[RCMUSTANG]

And there is the airbag to deal with. It's, there is one. I've had the cover off doing stuff..

 

[Robert Scott]

HI Bob,

You have asked a question I cannot answer directly. It is unlikely you idea would work. There are differences between the European Ranger and the North American Ranger, both body structure and interior trim and it is likely that the roof crush requirements that differ between North America and Europe means the A pillar is of a different configuration, but not being part of either program, I can only speculate.

What I do know is grab handles have a tough way to live. Much different loading if you are 120 lbs or 400 lbs for example. This means that your purchase of a European grab handle will have to have a substantial mounting to address robustness of the mounting.

The other thing is that back in my day in Ranger the grab handles were installed on the A pillar for a different reason than the customer access. They were there for reduction in the HIC value during a crash....HIC is Head Injury Criteria. In other words, the grab handle absorbed your melon impacting the A pillar to a value below the Gov mandate for HIC value, which at the time was 500 as I recall...

Some forum member got a hold of a Australian left grab handle and it did not fit.

Sorry I cannot answer your question and even if I was involved with the North American 5G, we would likely never tried to fit a ROW grab handle.

Then there is the cosmetic possible issue of the trim color not matching.

Ok...short story....IDK.

best,
Phil Schilke
Ranger Vehicle Engineering
Ford Motor Co. Retired

Hi Phil,
As usual your answer is packed with facts and information. I think I can now put to bed a simple solution to installing a left side grab handle. Thank you for your response. Bob

 

[Tim Stromberg]

Hmmm, what am I missing...what should I be seeing?

If an airbag is in the A-Pillar, I wonder why we don't see it deploying in any crash tests?
Crash test 1
crash test 2
crash test 3

The side bags (except side seat airbags) all seem to come from the overhead Safety Canopy...

Didja look? Cuz I just did again. It's still there.

 

[RedlandRanger]

Didja look? Cuz I just did again. It's still there.

Are you saying you saw an airbag deploy from the drivers side A-Pillar in those videos? Because if you did, I must be blind - I did not. The only airbags I saw deploy on the drivers side was from the steering wheel and the curtain bags from above. Even the passenger side I saw nothing come out from the A-Pillar.

What am I missing?

 

[tfisher15]

Didja look? Cuz I just did again. It's still there.

I got curious since I don’t see any airbag deploy from the “A” pillar in the videos.
All the places described in the owner’s manual where the bags are located in my XLT are labeled with “Airbag”. Labels are on the steering wheel pad, tag on seat side panel, and trim panel above the side windows. Nothing on the ”A” pillar.

Not trying to argue but interested where these things are located to avoid surprises.

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