Nothing on the drivers side in my 97...
My wife uses the one in my truck all the time. But she doesn't weigh much...

 

Okay, I know this is an old thread but maybe some of you are still interested in adding handles. I finally got around to adding a grab handle to the driver's side pillar and I'm posting the following instructions. I will also be attempting to put a handle on the driver's side ceiling as well and will post that process, too.
First, here's what you see under the pillar cover.


Here's what you get with the kit from the dealer:
2ea #6503910 Nut 23043025
2ea #6504432 Screw Pan 23043027
2ea #H526TAZ Plug Assi 23032098
1ea #5DX76AZ-AC Handle Ro 23014012
Total cost about $44.


The nuts are riv-nuts that you insert into a drilled hole and then, using a special riv-nut tool or a home made tool I like did, they are compressed like a blind rivet to lock in the hole. Here's the tool I made; as you tighten the nut that's against the washer while holding the bolt, it pulls the riv-nut up to set it. Takes about three full turns of the nut. You need an M6 X 100 metric bolt with a proper nut and washer.


Here's what the pillar looks like with the riv-nuts installed. Sorry about the focus. I centered the handle on the pillar to match the passenger side but there's room to mount it higher if you want. You'll have to adjust the spacers that go between the nuts and pillar cover for support.


This shows the plastic spacers on the passenger side pillar cover. You will need to provide something similar so that you don't squeeze the cover down too far and to provide support. Other pic shows the large nuts I used that provided 1/2" to 9/16" of thickness and had threads that actually locked on to the riv-nuts which really helped by staying put when trying to put the cover back on.




Here's the finished handle.....now on the driver's side. I've found it easier to use than always pulling on the steering wheel. Hope you guys like the write up. My first attempt, but not the last.


Afterthoughts: You could save money by pulling the handle, plugs, and bolts from the passenger side of a truck at a wrecking yard and just buy two riv-nuts from the hardware store. An actual riv-nut tool would be easier to use, but spending $20 - $30 for just this didn't seem justified. Price of homemade tool = 55 cents.

 

Nobody? Not interested anymore? Oh well....

 

Roy:
The drivers and pass side ceiling handles are easy to put in. The mounting points are already there under the headliner.

 

"Shes gotta have'em or else I don't want her" you'll really need them cause sometimes they ride a little rough!

 

Good write up anybody got part numbers and pics for the rear cup holders?

 

Berry, I looked up there and there does seem to be holes in the right places but there's some thicker metal plates in the way that don't seem to move. Do these have threads and do I need to get them loose or something so that they'll line up with the holes?

 

Dang, I meant Barry.

 

Roy
Its been 8 or 9 years since I did mine so my memory may be off a bit. If I recall the handle kit came with everything I needed including the screws. I just had to cut out a small portion of the headliner for each mounting point so that the handle would seat properly. I am thinking that was the scary part in case I misjudged my cutouts. I do not recall having to do anything other than that except just screw in the screws through the handle. It seems it was quite easy just a bit scary cutting up the headliner. You do have a bit of wiggle room as you just need to cutout enough for the actual base of the handle where the screw goes through. I am thinking it was 1/2 x1/2 or so maybe even less than that and the base of the handle is bigger than that. I honestly dont remember what it looked like under there but again I dont remember having to do anything other than cut the headliner and screw in the screws.