Grabar install measuring

The grommets really make a difference. I don't remember them being an option when I bought my grab bars. Maybe I'lll check Home Depot.
I looked in HD and they only had small grommets. My search stopped there as I already had the bars installed and I wasn’t going to do it all over again to add two rubbers grommets lol
 
Damn I wish I saw this earlier. Installed a few days ago and my cuts are pretty horrendous...but I'll live with it. If I ever need to take the trim piece out again, I'll order those grommets then.
 
I appreciate @glwood and @khakitj measurements and pics. Helped enough to get them installed. Not perfectly centered in the hole, but no one would know the difference. As some said, a great improvement over the paracord handles. And, as @chino1969 said, there is no concern you’ll knock your eye out. You deserve a Darwin Award if you do. These things dramatically improve ingress and egress.
 
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I’ve been reading this thread. I came up with what I thought was right. And then I look at Americanwkmule’s pictures and doubting myself. There are a couple flat places to measure from. On the long side that has a flat where it meets the dash, can anyone tell me if you got 15 1/2” to the outside edge of the hole? And on the flat side that goes against the windshield, can anyone tell me if you got about 1” from that edge to the outer edge of the hole? Or did you get 1 1/4”. I think that’s where I’m off. I was trying to work with the 5/8” on the other side as was in glwood’s post. Those two surfaces seem to be the best to make measurements from as they’re flat compared to the rest of the part. I’m trying to avoid making a mess of these things. Thank you.

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I nailed it on the first one but tried to make it just a touch better on the second one. Made the correction the wrong way and had to elongate the hole with a dremel. You CANT see it when standing next to the Jeep or sitting in the seat. If you bend over and look up at it you can but there is no reason to do that.
 
I placed my template exactly as I pictured it. Crossed my fingers and drilled with a Hole Saw drill bit. It wasn't perfect but the Grommets make it look factory.


I’ve been reading this thread. I came up with what I thought was right. And then I look at Americanwkmule’s pictures and doubting myself. There are a couple flat places to measure from. On the long side that has a flat where it meets the dash, can anyone tell me if you got 15 1/2” to the outside edge of the hole? And on the flat side that goes against the windshield, can anyone tell me if you got about 1” from that edge to the outer edge of the hole? Or did you get 1 1/4”. I think that’s where I’m off. I was trying to work with the 5/8” on the other side as was in glwood’s post. Those two surfaces seem to be the best to make measurements from as they’re flat compared to the rest of the part. I’m trying to avoid making a mess of these things. Thank you.

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I installed these today on my 06 LJ. Its pretty frustrating these don't come with a trim drilling template, or even instructions.

I tried to measure from straight lines. I used 7 1/4" from the end of the tab that tucks into the center trim piece. And I used 1 7/8" from the straight edge, but if I did it again I'd use 2 1/8". Disregard the actual measurements in the pics, i used the ones stated above. These measurements are to center of hole.

Thanks to others that provided measurements in this thread which helped greatly.

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I have a used set of these someone gave me. Do they re-use the factory bolts when installed?
 
On my TJ the factory bolts were barely long enough, I should have gotten longer.
Based on the thickness of the Grabar mounting plate, this is specifically what I was worried about. I'll likely get longer bolts.
 
Cool, but waaay too much trouble for me.
I went this route, CMM's Grab Bars mfg. in the U.S. too! I love 'em because they really stand out, super strong and will never break either.
Plus, they have the mirrors that will attach to them also, these are up next for me.
But you guys know I'm a billet junkie too. lol
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Based on the thickness of the Grabar mounting plate, this is specifically what I was worried about. I'll likely get longer bolts.
I don’t remember about the bolt length, but I do know I used the stock bolts. 2 years and going strong.

You’re a big boy though, you know what to do. Cutting the hole right is much more difficult! 🤣