Handles for Rear Lift Hatch

[Dundevil]

I am handicapped and have to hold onto the PT in order to walk around it. For example, the door handles provide good holding places for me.

But when I get to the large rear hatch, there just isn't any good place to hold onto. So... I was thinking of mounting one large handle in the middle of the hatch under the rear window or two smaller handles, one near each vertical edge of the hatch.

I would like to do this without damaging (too much) the structure or the looks of my pretty silver PT.

Any suggestions for type and source of handles, possible problems, etc. would be greatly appreciated.

Dundevil

[Grouch]

I'm handicapped also and have a hard time opening and closing the hatch. Are you looking for a better way to open the hatch or just a hand hold ? A friend of mine ( Pineapple ) has come up with a way to open the hatch from the side. If you're looking for just a hand hold I don't think there is a strong enough spot to mount a handle on the hatch

Here are some pics

http://community.webshots.com/album/81289206sQoviD

[Dundevil]

quote:Originally posted by Grouch

I'm handicapped also and have a hard time opening and closing the hatch. Are you looking for a better way to open the hatch or just a hand hold ? A friend of mine ( Pineapple ) has come up with a way to open the hatch from the side. If you're looking for just a hand hold I don't think there is a strong enough spot to mount a handle on the hatch

Here are some pics

http://community.webshots.com/album/81289206sQoviD

Grouch

Neat pictures. But a side opening door would seem to be even more inconvenient. That is, I eventually want to put in an interior lift for a mobility scooter and the side opening looks like a problem.

But you gave me an idea that might even be of help to you in opening the lift hatch. This is....

install a handle vertically on the edge of the hatch, say about 1" inboard. Maybe one on each side. There should be more metal on the edge for support. In addition to being the handhold It would also let you lift/close the hatch from the side once you released the catch.

Any comment from those much more knowledgable than this neophyte would really be greatly appreciated.

Dundevil

[CREWZIN]

Dundevil,

IF you don't mind loosing the rear hatch wiper, this is what I installed on my PT. It goes right thru the hole where the wiper was so the wiper motor has to come out. Simple job.



You can buy it at a couple different places but I got mine at : www.milehighpts.com

[Grouch]

I thought about the handle in place of the wiper but I would be afraid to open and close the hatch with the Handle. I would be afaid of breaking the glass.

[Dundevil]

quote:Originally posted by CREWZIN

Dundevil,

IF you don't mind loosing the rear hatch wiper, this is what I installed on my PT. It goes right thru the hole where the wiper was so the wiper motor has to come out. Simple job.



You can buy it at a couple different places but I got mine at : www.milehighpts.com

Crewzin

Thanks for the suggestion. I kind of agree with Greg (post after yours) that I would be afraid of damaging the rear window if I put any weight on the handle.

There must be someplace on the lift hatch on which I could mount a handle. Any suggestions and past experience would be much appreciated.

Dundevil

[Cal Cruzer]

I would pull the interior trim off of the hatch to see if it is reinforced anywhere on the inside and if so use that as a point to drill through. I cannot think of any other way than that or as suggested above. YOu will have to hurt the hatch a little if you don't think the wiper/handle idea will work for you. I would check and see how the wiper motor is mounted to see if it has a hard attachment to the window. You may be able to use the one shown above.

Good luck