2008 Ford Escape

Does anyone know if there is a kit available to add a assist handle to the passenger side of a 2008 Ford Escape XLT? I am referring to the one inside, just above door, overhead. I had a 2002 Escape that had one. I have been to the dealer, talked to salesman, service dept., no one seems to know. Any help would be appreciated.

Reply to
Charles H Fuller
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Looking at the overhead handles on my '02 Escape, it would seem that they are mounted to small brackets welded to the inside of the roof. If the brackets are there on your '08, you may be able to get handles from a junk yard that would match your interior color. Other than that, I don't know what to tell you. I haven't seen any after-market grips like that. Would the ones for the windshield pillar work for you? They might be easier to rig.

Good luck, SC Tom

Reply to
SC Tom

Have you tried looking on the accessories pages on Ford's website? They may list them there.

Jeff

Reply to
Jeff

The RH asset handle is available from your local Ford dealers parts department, it is standard on high line Escapes and Mariners

Reply to
Mike hunt

If there isn't a pre-made kit, you can make one. The handle itself should be available at the parts counter, or at a wrecking yard if they haven't changed from year to year.

You'll need to pop open the edge of the headliner and look, but you probably don't have the threaded inserts there to hold the mounting screws. There are several solutions that can be used - first and easiest, they make big "speednuts" that have a stamped spring steel c-clip body that clamps over the sheetmetal edge, and a threaded attachment point on the back to screw the handle to. That might be how the factory does it, I've never looked.

Or you get riv-nuts. They are a cross between a pop rivet and a threaded insert, you can use a regular heavy-duty pop rivet tool with a special threaded mandrel to install them. If you plan to do lots of them, they sell special purpose-built rivet setters that have a handle to unthread the mandrel easily without disassembling the whole tool.

WARNING: If the car has side curtain airbags they are under the door garnish trim, don't do ANYTHING up there that isn't factory approved. A "Field Expedient" (AKA cockamamie) solution for the handles might interfere with airbag deployment, and in mid-accident is NOT when you want to find out you broke them.

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Reply to
Bruce L. Bergman

My 2005 came with either the assist handles or side air bags, not both. I think the 2008 comes with side air bags, so you've probably lost the ability to add the handles.

Reply to
dold

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