I’ve been pontificating over grab bars for my ‘04 LJ. I REALLY wasn’t wanting to cut the A-pillar trim for the bars to go through, but I saw no real choice unless I spent $200.00 on the bars that bolt to collars around the front of the roll bar. But to fit those one has to cut the roll bar padding away.
But I had a moment while looking at the mounting bolts for the fronts of the roll bar where they bolt to the A-pillar. I bought the ones that bolt to those, but used a pair of 2” bushings on each side to act as standoffs so that the bars sit behind the A-pillar trim instead of having to go through holes drilled in the trim.
I used parts that I had laying around, but unfortunately I only had the Grade 10.9 bolts in 70mm and 100mm. Of course 70 was too short and, you know…
Right now I’ve got them mounted up with the 100mm bolts through 2” bushings and stacks of washers to make the long bolts useable. I’ve got some 80mm and 90mm bolts coming tomorrow and will play with the washer stacks to get them looking a bit cleaner.
So what’s the consensus? Should I just suck it up and drill the holes in my trim pieces or does this look like a sound install? The bolts I ordered are black flanged-head so they should look a little neater and the washer stacks will disappear as well.
But I had a moment while looking at the mounting bolts for the fronts of the roll bar where they bolt to the A-pillar. I bought the ones that bolt to those, but used a pair of 2” bushings on each side to act as standoffs so that the bars sit behind the A-pillar trim instead of having to go through holes drilled in the trim.
I used parts that I had laying around, but unfortunately I only had the Grade 10.9 bolts in 70mm and 100mm. Of course 70 was too short and, you know…
Right now I’ve got them mounted up with the 100mm bolts through 2” bushings and stacks of washers to make the long bolts useable. I’ve got some 80mm and 90mm bolts coming tomorrow and will play with the washer stacks to get them looking a bit cleaner.
So what’s the consensus? Should I just suck it up and drill the holes in my trim pieces or does this look like a sound install? The bolts I ordered are black flanged-head so they should look a little neater and the washer stacks will disappear as well.
