If your truck or SUV didn't come with grab handles, or it has one on the passenger side and nothing for the driver, you have more options than you might think. The right one depends on your vehicle, how you climb in, and the look you want.

Paracord and strap style

These are woven paracord or heavy canvas handles that mount to existing anchor points like a roll bar, headrest posts, or factory bolts. They work in almost any vehicle. We recently fitted paracord-style handles on a couple of classic Broncos, and they suit that rugged, open-air look perfectly.

• Quick to install, often in under an hour

• Available in a wide range of colors to match your interior or paint

• A natural fit for Jeeps, Broncos, off-road builds, and older trucks

A-pillar grab handles

The A-pillar is the post on either side of the windshield, and it's right where your hand reaches when you climb into the front seat. Many trucks come from the factory with a handle on the passenger-side pillar and none on the driver's side. For a lot of popular trucks and SUVs, we can replace the plain pillar trim with a factory-style panel that has the handle molded right in, matched to the texture and color of your interior.

Many A-pillars also house side curtain airbags. That's one reason this is a job for a professional: the panel has to be fastened and clipped so it holds your weight and still lets the airbag deploy the way it was designed to.

• Looks like it came from the factory (often called OEM), often matching the passenger side

• Right where your hand lands when you step up into the front seat

• Vehicle-specific panels for many trucks and SUVs

B-pillar and door-mounted handles

The B-pillar is the post between the front and rear doors. A handle there helps rear-seat passengers climb in, and gives front-seat riders a second point to hold on to. On some vehicles, a handle mounted to the door frame is the better fit, especially when a pillar handle would sit out of reach.

• Makes the back seat as easy to reach as the front

• Useful on crew cabs and lifted SUVs where every door sits high

• Placed and anchored to suit your vehicle's structure

Roof-mounted handles

These are rigid handles mounted above the door opening. For the most solid result, we open up the headliner and anchor the handle into the roof structure with threaded inserts, then put everything back so it looks untouched.

• Rigid, solid feel: handles are typically rated around 300 pounds, and we anchor them so the mount is built for more than that, since a hard pull puts extra force on it

• Clean, factory look that blends with the interior

• A strong choice for daily drivers, luxury SUVs, and lifted trucks that see heavy use

Where they go matters

A handle in the wrong spot is almost as frustrating as no handle at all. We look at how you actually climb in: which hand you reach with, how high the step is, and whether you have running boards. Then we recommend the style, or the combination, that puts a handle where your hand lands naturally.

Not sure which is right for you?

That's what the consultation is for. We'll look at your vehicle, talk through how you use it, and recommend the style that fits.

Southern Ride Customs is a premium, appointment-only shop serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Drop-off and pickup are available around the clock.

Text or call 615.544.5566 or book at southernridecustoms.com.

Southern Ride Customs — Premium Automotive Customization & Restoration. Your Ride, Your Rules.