Grab Handles in rollover / accident - any head injury risks?

[SHANUT]

I have been looking at grab handles for the Bronco and I'm looking for opinions. There are two main types I have been looking at:

1. Paracord Grab Handles
2. Aluminum Grab Handles like these

I really like the look, function and out of the wayness of the aluminum handles however I am worried about their potential to do some real damage to my head in an accident in a rollover situation or accident since they sit basically right above our heads. We will be offroading this a bit and may never encounter the situation but who knows. Any opinions? experience? Am I just being a worry wart?

I have a pair of these in both of my two door Broncos and they are great. There are no sharp edges and they’re actually useful as grab handles and look good, in my opinion. They come in a few different colors. In my two door that I retained the rear seats. I put a pair back there too since they do a nice job of assisting getting out of the backseats.
https://a.co/d/8xFOWQ5

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[Fordified1]

Are the grab handles at the ends of the dash not reachable? I have the paracord ones and the wife uses them to get in and out. I use the one at the dash. I wouldn’t want anything that’s not padded within reach of my head in a violent roll over, which would be more likely at highway speeds than typical rock crawling.

 

[bassist]

Uninsured driver crossed the center line and clipped me causing me to roll 1.5 times. Fortunately I just scraped my arm and got a bruise from the seat belt. No serious injuries, and the paracord grab handles did not interfere with the side airbags, or my head.

Bronco was totaled and had to negotiate with Allstate to get a higher number. Luckily I found a leftover 23 badlands for roughly what I got from insurance. Just waiting for some warmer weather to install a sunrider and update my profile pic.

Got rear ended badly enough doing high speed electric karting to get whiplash and a concussion.

Just about leapt out of my skin when getting x-rays when the tech said, “Does this hurt?” and poked me in the collar bone — not surprise you got bruised.

 

[SHANUT]

Are the grab handles at the ends of the dash not reachable? I have the paracord ones and the wife uses them to get in and out. I use the one at the dash. I wouldn’t want anything that’s not padded within reach of my head in a violent roll over, which would be more likely at highway speeds than typical rock crawling.

The ones on the end of the dash are almost useless. They’re too low and would be better placed up high on the a pillar, but I understand why that can’t happen because of the airbags built into the a pillar.

 

[Headsong]

I can personally recommend paracord.

I don't like the looks of that rear right LEFT side tire....

 

[Fordified1]

I don't like the looks of that rear right side tire....

Impossible to see right rear. But I get you meant left. Yea it’s totalled so doesn’t really matter.
I bet that was fun to drag up on a roll-back.

 

[Gtrekker]

I have been looking at grab handles for the Bronco and I'm looking for opinions. There are two main types I have been looking at:

1. Paracord Grab Handles
2. Aluminum Grab Handles like these

I really like the look, function and out of the wayness of the aluminum handles however I am worried about their potential to do some real damage to my head in an accident in a rollover situation or accident since they sit basically right above our heads. We will be offroading this a bit and may never encounter the situation but who knows. Any opinions? experience? Am I just being a worry wart?

I think there's always a possibility...

I went with Mabett Grab Handles. They are spring loaded and stay up n out of the way.

https://a.co/d/euP6Jvz

 

[Headsong]

Impossible to see right rear. But I get you meant left. Yea it’s totalled so doesn’t really matter.
I bet that was fun to drag up on a roll-back.

I meant left!!!

 

[Ninjak]

I have had the Spartan handles you have in your post, and now I have the Mabett style with the LED lights. I am 6-41/2 and have not come close to hitting my head.

I will say if you are in a rollover you have bigger issues than having aluminum grab handles. Also, this is what seatbelts are for.

 

[bassist]

I have had the Spartan handles you have in your post, and now I have the Mabett style with the LED lights. I am 6-41/2 and have not come close to hitting my head.

I will say if you are in a rollover you have bigger issues than having aluminum grab handles. Also, this is what seatbelts are for.

Do the flail about test.

If you smack it with your hands, you will likely smack it in an accident with at least your hand.

The rule of thumb I’ve seen is that you do not want exposed metal anywhere near your head if you aren’t wearing a helmet (i.e. don’t drive on the street with a roll cage) and don’t wear a five point harness without a roll cage.

 

[HowieLong]

I have been looking at grab handles for the Bronco and I'm looking for opinions. There are two main types I have been looking at:

1. Paracord Grab Handles
2. Aluminum Grab Handles like these

I really like the look, function and out of the wayness of the aluminum handles however I am worried about their potential to do some real damage to my head in an accident in a rollover situation or accident since they sit basically right above our heads. We will be offroading this a bit and may never encounter the situation but who knows. Any opinions? experience? Am I just being a worry wart?

I bought the aluminum ones you listed. I put them on and wasn't comfortable with how close they were to my head. Other than that I did like them. Seemed very sturdy. The nice thing with Amazon Prime is I was able to try them and return them free. If you can do the same I suggest trying them, you may like them.

 

[Broncarado]

I can personally recommend paracord.

wow. I hope everyone was ok

 

[Blaylock1988]

I had the paracord ones for a while and got tired of it hitting my head all the time when offroading. I switched to the Mabett spring loaded ones and really like them except they are pretty hidden so most passengers never notice they are there. I need to wrap something colorful around the grip. They are way up out of the way and don't have any concerns about hitting them in an accident.

 

[SmallCrawler]

Uninsured driver crossed the center line and clipped me causing me to roll 1.5 times. Fortunately I just scraped my arm and got a bruise from the seat belt. No serious injuries, and the paracord grab handles did not interfere with the side airbags, or my head.

Bronco was totaled and had to negotiate with Allstate to get a higher number. Luckily I found a leftover 23 badlands for roughly what I got from insurance. Just waiting for some warmer weather to install a sunrider and update my profile pic.

UPDATE: Just found out today that the guy who hit me was charged with exploit disable/elder trust, stealing the old lady’s car, stealing $73,000 from her bank account, and identity theft.
You never know who you’re gonna meet driving around. Stay safe out there!

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