Grab Handle Upgrade
 

If you don't like the way the panic, or OS handles feel, I have a fix. I have always thought that they should be smooth on the back, and not feel so thin and cheap. Those ribs on the back really bug me.

First off, much praise goes out to Alex at Wilson Scion in Ames, Iowa, username grizzly_choppers. He is the parts manager at the dealer there and is very helpful to this site. His prices are always cheaper than my local dealer's, even after shipping. If you are going to purchase the newer handles, I recommend him. I ended up spending roughly $50 on this project, and am glad I did.

I contacted him about replacing the handles, so he went out to the cars on the lot and found the best match. It's from a Corolla. The color match is simply perfect, and the material is more rubbery, which does feel nice.

Disclaimer: If you decide to do this mod, I take no responsibility for your actions, this is to be used as a guide only. If you get hurt, waste your time, waste your money, or do the same to anyone else, don't blame me.

Tools needed:
-Four new OS handles. There are two types in the corolla, and both should fit fine. The ones for the rear of the Corolla have molded in hooks for hangers. I went with four of the fronts which do not have the hook built in. The part numbers are as follows:

No Hook: 74611-02030-B0
With Hook: 74611-02040-B0

-10mm Socket and ratchet
-Dremel or Hacksaw
-1/4" drill bit
-Low grit sandpaper (100 or less)

Directions:

Remove the Stock OS handles. There is a bolt on each side of the handle, and they are covered. Put a fingernail in the crack and pry it open. It's pretty easy.

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00193.jpg

Remove the two bolts with a 10mm socket.

Repeat for all handles. Don't worry about mixing them up, they're all the same size.

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00194.jpg

At this point I will illustrate the differences in the handles.

From the front, they appear similar, and they are. The Corolla Handle is on the top. You can tell it is slightly larger. Also, notice the great color match.

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00202.jpg

From the back you can see the hated ribs in the Scion handle (bottom) and that the Corolla Handle is nice and smooth.

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00195.jpg

The only thing stopping this from becoming a direct fit are the risers which keep the handle from crushing the headliner. The risers need to be cut to give a good fit. Without cutting them, the handle sticks out too far from the headliner... looks kinda goofy. The picture below shows the difference in length of the two. The Scion handle (left) has shorter risers. The Corolla handle (right) must be trimmed. I colored the portion to be cut with a black marker.

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00204.jpg

Using a Dremel or hacksaw to cut this portion off. If you use a Dremel, the plastic will melt, no harm here, just warning you. I used both methods and it really doesn't matter.

If you are sloppy with a Dremel, you will end up with something like this:

(I'm really not this bad, just illustrating what can happen with a Dremel. It tends to melt the plastic rather than cutting right through it. If you end up with something like this, place the sandpaper on a table and rub the handle across the sandpaper, it'll clean right up. This part does not need to be perfect as it is not seen when installed, but it does need to be flat so that it feels good and solid when mounted. )

https://www.scionlife.com/tech/image...b/DSC00208.jpg

Take the handle and rub it across the sandpaper to get the burrs off it.

Take the 1/4" bit to clean up the holes.

Reinstall using the factory bolts you removed and you're done!

Please note that it does not take a whole lot of torque on the bolts to get them tight, don't overtighten.

I don't have a picture of an installed handle because it's so dang humid that my camera fogged up really bad, and I didn't notice. Now it's dark. They look pretty much the same, but feel much, much better.

All in all, I should take around half an hour, very simple.

Not something I'm really concerned with but great write up!!!

I do however have to express concern when the driver of the vehicle is worried about the "Oh God!!" handles. I want your hands on the wheel!

Thanks.

I have never used mine while driving, but it's one of those things that can make a car feel cheap... fast. While this car is what it is... inexpensive, there are a few small touches we can do to make them feel slightly nicer. Aside from the driver, there are really few things in a car we commonly touch, the OS handles are one, why not make them more comfortable?

I really like this one> i hate those stupid handles and I grab them all the time... but this works the same with the xA, right?

I have no clue. I would asssume so, but can't say for sure.

You could order one handle and try it out, if it works, order the other three.

First, yes, this should work the same on the xA. It shares the same OE part # for the "Assist Grip Handles" with the xB, so everything should work the same.

Props to Ben for such a great write up. Thanks much for the mention! Ben was an articulate and stand-up guy to work with. Thanks again for the business bro and good luck with the contest!

-Alex

:ponder: Very nice... I might just do this.

The factory handles DO feel cheap as hell. I like my interior to be nice and cozy for my passengers. Hence the custom two-tone leather. I think a really nice interior makes the car. That's what people see(and feel) when you take them for a ride.

Nice write-up! :clap:

-THE DON

how much did it cost?

very good write up,and acute observation... those things seem like they'll snap if you use them... i wish we had the tC ones... some of the tC amenities would be nice to hav in the xB... heck, i d pay a few bucx more

Scroll up, read the second paragraph.

Thanks. . . the jetlag is still affecting my brain.

always good to have a sturdy 'oh $hit' bar in times of emergency and that corolla one looks way sturdier than the factory one.

Actually they both feel pretty sturdy in the fact that they are rigid and don't move. They are similar in that regard. The Corolla handle may seem sturdier due to being thicker, but I doubt either will ever break. The benefit comes from feel and feel alone.

Excellent write up Max, I'll have to put this on my list of things to do. :D

just yesterday i was looking at the handles thinking..." i should change those, they feel kinda cheap." thanks. great write up. any other mods you've done like this?

I made a cargo cover:

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=69605

And a sweet oven mod:

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=71182

Plenty other mods, but those are the only homemade ones.

I did this mod today, handles are SO MUCH better.

I got them from a salvage yard for $5 each.

It sucks though b/c you have to find 2 Corollas b/c they only come with 3 handles each (driver did not have one in any of the Corollas I saw). So a complete set from 1 Corolla and a fron passenger from another to round out all the handles for the box.

This looks like a great mod. I was struck by the crappy feel fo the handles myself...

It's on the to do list.

Anyone see the bb grips on ebay?

They are black and you only get three of them.

Great write up.