My T6.1 came without a-pillar grab handles. Having those in my old T6 I really wanted to retrofit them. Took some photos and decided to do a how to- guide for anyone thinking about doing this.
Step 1, removing a pillar covers.
Before I pulled out the a-pillar cover, I took the dashboard side vent out. Get a prying tool between the edge and pull straight out. There are couple of clips holding it.
To pull out the a-pillar cover, pry from top towards the opposite a-pillar, the cover has 3 clips. On the bottom there's a speaker connector, pinch it from the side and pull up.
Step 2, mounting the brackets
In the a-pillar there are 3 threaded holes. The brackets are held with three t30 torx bolts. I applied some blue thread locker on the bolts.
Step 3, cutting holes in the a-pillar cover
On the inside of the pillar cover, there are markings where you need to cut the plastic away. I drilled a smaller pilot hole and after that slightly larger hole leaving me still some material on the edge. I trimmed the edge with a stanley knife, box cutter, utility knife, whatever you call it.
Step 4, mounting the handle
Just refit the pillar cover back, remember to plug in the speaker wire. The holes don't need to be that tidy, as the sleeve on the handle covers the hole well. The handle is held on the bracket with two T30 torx bolts, I'd put some blue thread locker on the bolts, my OEM bolts had some preapplied. Had some troubles lining the bolts, I pulled the handle a bit from the cover to give it some wiggle room so the bolt engaged the threads better. All is left to clip the handle cover on, but I left mine off because I'm going to take the pillar covers off soon to sound deaden the roof.
Parts I used on my T6.1
Left bracket: 7H0858149A
Right bracket: 7H0858150A
Bracket bolts (6pcs): N 91096603
Left handle Pearl grey: 7E0858637 Y20
Right handle Pearl grey:7E0858638 Y20
Handle bolts (4pcs): N 10347403
Handle covers Pearl grey (2pcs): 7E0857627A Y20
Took me about 1 hour to do this, I took my time cutting the holes even somewhat nice.
Step 1, removing a pillar covers.
Before I pulled out the a-pillar cover, I took the dashboard side vent out. Get a prying tool between the edge and pull straight out. There are couple of clips holding it.
To pull out the a-pillar cover, pry from top towards the opposite a-pillar, the cover has 3 clips. On the bottom there's a speaker connector, pinch it from the side and pull up.
Step 2, mounting the brackets
In the a-pillar there are 3 threaded holes. The brackets are held with three t30 torx bolts. I applied some blue thread locker on the bolts.
Step 3, cutting holes in the a-pillar cover
On the inside of the pillar cover, there are markings where you need to cut the plastic away. I drilled a smaller pilot hole and after that slightly larger hole leaving me still some material on the edge. I trimmed the edge with a stanley knife, box cutter, utility knife, whatever you call it.
Step 4, mounting the handle
Just refit the pillar cover back, remember to plug in the speaker wire. The holes don't need to be that tidy, as the sleeve on the handle covers the hole well. The handle is held on the bracket with two T30 torx bolts, I'd put some blue thread locker on the bolts, my OEM bolts had some preapplied. Had some troubles lining the bolts, I pulled the handle a bit from the cover to give it some wiggle room so the bolt engaged the threads better. All is left to clip the handle cover on, but I left mine off because I'm going to take the pillar covers off soon to sound deaden the roof.
Parts I used on my T6.1
Left bracket: 7H0858149A
Right bracket: 7H0858150A
Bracket bolts (6pcs): N 91096603
Left handle Pearl grey: 7E0858637 Y20
Right handle Pearl grey:7E0858638 Y20
Handle bolts (4pcs): N 10347403
Handle covers Pearl grey (2pcs): 7E0857627A Y20
Took me about 1 hour to do this, I took my time cutting the holes even somewhat nice.
