67 Cj5 Passenger Grab Bar

Yes, that is a good description. The ends are bent, then flattened to make the mounting portion. The current Smittybuilt stainless bars are identical to the original OEM bars.
The Olyimpic bar that Karl is getting has a 90 degree bend that is swaged and welded (on the backside) into a flat mounting plate on each end. It should also have square holes for use with a carriage bolt head, whereas the factory bar just has round holes for a regular hex head bolt. I like the Olympic bar because every one I have ever seen is chrome.
-Donny

 

Here are some pictures of my 66 V6 Tux. Mine had holes and bolts for the grab bar originally - but no grab bar. I had a chrome grab bar from a 1966 rechromed and installed it as part of my restoration.

Brian Hitson has shared 3 photos with you!

 

Beautiful!

 

Absolutely beautiful Tux! '66 or '67? That grab bar NOS, or re chromed?
I just met with a member here in FL today to swap windshields, and it turns out his Praire Gold CJ is also a Tux and he didn't even know. The chrome gate chains were what really got me looking. I have to check his serial #, but its titled as a '67.
-Donny

 

I would guess 67. Looks like a t86 shifter.

 

Thanks for the nice comments on the Tux. It is a 1966. I had the grab bar rechromed by a shop in San Jose. It is a T86 transmission - correct.

Two neat things about it, it had a dealer installed Dualmatic overdrive with a chrome shifter. (Since
Dualmatics had some reliability issues, I replaced it with a NOS Warn unit) Also has, dealer installed (I believe), front and rear sway bars. Not a great off-road Jeep but it is still very fun to drive and handles nicely "on road."

 

Brian,

You did an absolutely incredible job with this jeep. It is stunning.

Simply so that more ECJ5'ers get a chance to see it, I'd recommend you consider starting a new thread dedicated only to this restoration, and include as many details about it as possible. If you decide to do that, please also add as many additional pictures as you have time to take!

Maury

 

Don't forget his matching fingernail polish...also stunning!

 

Hey, that nail polish is on my girlfriend's hand...

 

Maury - Thanks. I will definitely set up a separate post on the restoration.

 

That begs the question: Which came first the nail polish or the paint".
If your're painting the Jeep to match her nail polish that says something.
If she's painting her nails to match your jeep, that says hang on to her if you can. IMO

 

She painted her nails to match the Jeep. So, I am going to have to agree with you on that - going to try to hang on to her...

 

Bumping this old thread to ask - does anyone know of a place to get a new, chromed grab bar (on left here in pic of Tux parts)?


I am getting quotes of ~$200 to re-chrome mine(!!!!) and the only new ones I can find are Stainless. In all likelihood I'll just polish mine and put it back kon but thought someone might have an idea?

https://www.kaiserwillys.com/stainless-grab-bar-for-dash-on-passenger-side-fits-52-83-cj-m38a1

 

I have a box of all those same parts, plus more, that I need to have re-chromed. Then there's another similar box for my other Tux! I haven't found anyone yet that I consider affordable for decent chrome. Oh, and I have a couple bumpers that need re-plating too. I need to follow a Brinks truck and wait till the money falls out the back door!
Yes, the Smittybuilt grab bars look similar, but there is no substitute for proper chrome.
-Donny

 

It was available as an aftermarket - not exclusively a Tux part. May still be available for purchase, or you could find another old one.

 

I don’t think the words “affordable“ and “re-Chromed” belong in the same sentence anymore… I just got one quote for $1600 to do all of the parts in this photograph!!!

 

We believe you. Not everyone would.

 

I've been quoted $275 per hinge piece for the four windshield pieces, or $1100 for just the two complete w/s hinges!
I'm still looking.
-Donny

 

My Tux didn't even have the grab bar from new. All it had were the chrome bolts filling the holes in the dash.
-Donny

 

Well, I had to work today in Sparks so I stopped into ABC plating there today, and talked to Rick.

He checked out my hood hinges, windshield corner braces/hinges, and side mirror mount, and estimated $290 for the lot, with 2 weeks turnaround time. Given the much much lower price than other estimates I’ve gotten, I decided to go for it. I’ll report back on the quality of the chrome when I get it all back.

Also he said $80 more for the side mirror post (which I bought new from walcks and am reluctant to spend more on), and around $120 for the grab bar, but I didn’t leave these. Maybe in two or theee paychecks.