Illuminated rear grab handles

Post by **redline** » 06 Dec 2005 06:22 pm

Finally got around to making a start on this project which I have had in mind to do for a while.I will add pictures of the progress as soon as they are dowloaded

Got a pair of Illuminated rear grab handles from a 400 on ebay a little while ago .

the lights are switched independantly so do not require the door to be open as long as you use a permanent live feed ( just remember to switch them off again after use )

I have used the permanent live feed to the interior light which is accessed by removing the trim across the front of the headlining , the sun visors and the A pillar trim ,

fed the wire under the headlining ( one to each side , ) removed original grab handles ,

cut some plastic from the foot plate of the new handles ,

fitted using original rear screw fitting and drilling a new hole for the front one( the handles from the 400 are a bit bigger )

then its just a case of fitting the earth wire (could use rear grab handle fitting screw as earthing point or extend the earth wire to a convenint screw )and connecting the live feed

Be sure you want to do this as if you damage your headlining it will really mess up your cars appearance There will be a screw hole in the headlining where the old front screw went but this is hidden by the handle once fitted.

Do not attempt to bend the handle to make it fit the original holes or the light unit will not fit properly

Post by **foggyjames** » 06 Dec 2005 07:20 pm

This thread is (nearly) worthless without PICS! I'm very interested in doing this...

cheers

James

Post by **Chris_C** » 06 Dec 2005 11:46 pm

I've been planning this too, but was worried about the distance between hole centres, is there an easy fixing there Mick? (i.e. what is it you are drilling into?)

Post by **redline** » 07 Dec 2005 12:41 am

oh I can be such a tease ok

grab handles

strip down

throw away this

cut this to look like this

use original fitting screw location at rear end of car ( after feeding wires through slot ), and drill hole for front fitting position (there is metal directly behind )

wire it up and you end up with this

job done

Post by **340GLT** » 07 Dec 2005 12:45 am

i must admit mick that looks sweet, and i may even do it to mine when i fit a black headlining!!! lol
Cheers Adam

Post by **Chris_C** » 07 Dec 2005 12:47 am

Well done mate, good effort!

And Adam.... think long and hard, Beast was VERY hot in the summer compared to Kar, and the only difference (apart from being a LIGHTER outside colour) was the black headlining and GLT seats, vs white headlining and GLE seats in Kar

Post by **foggyjames** » 07 Dec 2005 12:53 am

Probably a stupid question...but...Looking at it, it looks like the illuminated section should bolt onto a standard 300 series handle....no?

cheers

James

Post by **340GLT** » 07 Dec 2005 01:23 am

Prob would mate looking at them again!!
Cheers Adam

Post by **redline** » 07 Dec 2005 08:41 am

I dont think it would , if you look carefully at the picture above you will see a black square hole on the right hand side of the grab handle (just b4 the metal plate ) and on the extreme right of the light unit ( next to the wire ) is a clip that fits into the square hole and holds the light unit in place along with clips around the bottom of the light unit which go over the white nylon plate that i cut. I dont think one fixing would be strong enough to hold the unit without the other. the metal plate holds the nylon fitting and is permanently attatched to the grab handle also the colour will be different

Post by **redline** » 07 Dec 2005 03:31 pm

ok they are now fully fitted and working ,

just a couple of points to be aware of .

if using the interior light live feed to supply power , you want the wire on its own at the opposite end of the interior light to the switch .

the terminals (+ / - ) on the illuminated grab handle are very small and flimsy especially the + which is on the switch end, be careful you dont break them ,

I used the fitting screw as my earthing point by crimping an earthing ring to the end of the earth lead and putting it under the screw before fitting , it works and is totally safe and supports the light unit leaving your hands free to work

when drilling the hole for the other fitting screw go very carefully as the roof is directly behind the plate your drilling into, use a smallish drill and then let the fitting screw cut its own thread as you screw it in.

Post by **Chris_C** » 07 Dec 2005 03:56 pm

At least if you go too far you can put a nut on the roof and bolt through..... I don't like these horrible blind places where you can't get a nut

Post by **petefarrell360** » 07 Dec 2005 11:09 pm

Like it Mick! I know we discussed this some time ago in great detail! I've often thought about 400 grab handles, but spotted the difference in hole centres, plus I don't really worry too much about the rear passengers. It could be handy though when trying to find things, as the front light is shielded by the front seats. I would however wire a driver override switch into the system, so that if someone gets out and leaves a light on, it won't distract, or annoy you, as you can switch it off, or if you've got mates intent on annoying you, you can whizz on their bonfire and cut the power! Another nice mod.
Pete

Post by **redline** » 31 Dec 2005 03:06 pm

oh sorry I just deleted his post , us moderators have to much power LOL

Post by **foggyjames** » 31 Dec 2005 04:28 pm

Thread cleaned up...as you were

cheers

James

Post by **benji1985** » 24 Feb 2016 05:43 pm

Sorry to revive an old post, but does anyone have the pictures, they are missing

Ben

Illuminated rear grab handles

Illuminated rear grab handles

Re: Illuminated rear grab handles