Definitely a good writeup.
One thing to look into as well (for ease of installation):
The 2000+ Caravans use the same nut/bolt system but the nut is installed
from the outside...getting rid of having to fish the nut (or use a magnet to
slide it down the a-pillar) to install it. The nuts do fit in the Dakota
a-pillar (from the Caravan).
- Bernd
-----Original Message-----
From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
[mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Ethan Schwartz
Sent: Sunday, November 02, 2003 7:06 AM
To: dakota-truck-moderator@bent.twistedbits.net
Subject: Re: DML: RE: grab handles
best post ever
Bill Nissley wrote:
> I added a grab handle last may.
>
> Part No. Discription Qty Price
> ----------- ------------------------- --- -----
> 5DX76 LAZAB Grip Handle, Agate
> 5DX76 RC3AB Grip Handle, Mist
> 5DX76 RK5AB Grip Handle, Tan 1 $6.94
> H526 TAZ Plug, Agate
> H526 TC3 Plug, Mist
> H526 TK5 Plug, Tan 2 $4.16
> 6504 432 Pull Handle, Screw 2 $0.52
> 6503 910 Pull Handle, NUT 2 $2.56
>
> These numbers are for 1997-98 The prices are what I paid from Tenefly
> Dodge.
>
> Installation was pretty easy, although inserting the nuts was a trick.
> I firstthought the windshield glass would have to be removed. The nuts
> go behind the metal pillar that is not accessable directly. What I did
> was pulled down the corner of the headliner near the A pillar. I tied
> a thread looped through the nut which has a sleeve on it that
> protrudes through the hole in the A pillar from the back. I then
> threaded a piece of stiff electrical wire through the nut. I put a 90
> degree radius bend in the end of the wire. I fed the stiff wire down
> from the hole up by the headliner down to one of the factory drilled
> holes in the a pillar. I stuck the end of the wire through the hole
> and then slid the nut down the wire holding the thread so if it fell
> off the wire for some reason I wouldn't loose the nut. I wiggled the
> stiff wire around and the sleeve of the nut came through the hole. I
> then grabbed the sleeve with a pair of needle nose pliers and
> retracted the stiff wire. I immediately screwed the screw in the end
> of the nut to protect it from falling out. I epoxied the sleve of the
> nut to the a pillar and carefully located and drilled the 2 holes in
> the plastic A pillar cover. When the epoxy dried I removed the screws,
> installed the cover and screwed the handle on.
>
> Illustration: http://home.comcast.net/~billnis/dakota/apillar.jpg
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net
> [mailto:owner-dakota-truck@bent.twistedbits.net] On Behalf Of Eric
> Luce
> Sent: Saturday, November 01, 2003 1:06 PM
> To: Dakota Club
> Subject: DML: grab handles
>
>
> Hi Gang.
> Was just wondering if any of you would know of the availability of
> accessory "grab handles" for the interior of our Daks? Was this ever
> an option? Can any be had that are color-matched? Any suggestions?
> Looking for something to mount on the inside windshield posts, or
> there-abouts. Thanks for your assistance !!
>
> Eric Luce
> '99 Dak, SLT, CC
> 5.2L, auto, 4X2
> (Ohio)
>
>
>
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