2021 Denali Assist Handle

[larryo]

We’ve had our 2021 Yukon Denali for 3 weeks now. No major issues so far.
The only gripe I have is about the front passenger assist handle location.
On the SLE/SLT/AT4, the assist handle is located on the A pillar while on the Denali it’s mounted over the passenger door.
IMO, the overhead location is awkward to use when entering the vehicle, especially for a person with disabilities.
The only reason I can figure as to why GMC located the assist handle differently on the Denali is due to a speaker being located in the A pillar trim.
I would think that the structure under the trim piece for mounting the assist handle would the same on all Yukon’s, so I’m wondering if it would be possible to retrofit a handle from another model?

 

[Holy Roller]

As a person with disabilities, I’d like to thank you for identifying this. I was not aware of any difference and have been leaning towards Denali for its air ride suspension that drops 2” when parked.

 

[swathdiver]

We’ve had our 2021 Yukon Denali for 3 weeks now. No major issues so far.
The only gripe I have is about the front passenger assist handle location.
On the SLE/SLT/AT4, the assist handle is located on the A pillar while on the Denali it’s mounted over the passenger door.
IMO, the overhead location is awkward to use when entering the vehicle, especially for a person with disabilities.
The only reason I can figure as to why GMC located the assist handle differently on the Denali is due to a speaker being located in the A pillar trim.
I would think that the structure under the trim piece for mounting the assist handle would the same on all Yukon’s, so I’m wondering if it would be possible to retrofit a handle from another model?

Pull the pillar and look for the bolt holes, I bet you could get a pillar and handle from another model but you'll know for sure when pulling the original down to see what's behind it.

 

[Stbentoak]

As a person with disabilities, I’d like to thank you for identifying this. I was not aware of any difference and have been leaning towards Denali for its air ride suspension that drops 2” when parked.

It does show this in advertising material that the handle is not there on Denali, but is on other levels... so they are not trying to be deceptive.....

 

[larryo]

I don’t think that any deception is intended. However, unless you are looking at that detail, it can be easily missed.
We just didn’t really notice it in the photos. Unfortunately, when we were first looking at the 2021 Yukon, all they had available for us to drive was an SLT.
One of the main reasons for ordering the Denali was for the retractable running boards which are wider and lower than the fixed running boards on the other models. My wife has issues with her legs as well as in her shoulders. The lower running boards make it easier for her, but the overhead assist handle make it more difficult.
I contacted the dealer about a possible retrofit, but all they did was caution me about doing any modifications that would void the warranty.

 

[Toasty]

we noticed the same thing while test driving. retrofit is not going to be easy, and dealer may not do it anyway. The Denali A pillar speaker isn't present in the other trim levels that have the handle - and the handle is part of the A pillar trim, not attached over top. Also, with the different shaped dash, the handle may have interfered with airbag deployment. Be careful about modding it, could have unintended consequences.

 

[Holy Roller]

I checked, and like Denali, Escalade is missing the passenger grip at the A pillar. Once again, it seems to be speaker-related.

There is a grip at the headliner, though.

I must say that the grip at the A pillar looks very truck-like. Whereas the clean A pillar looks more luxurious.

 

[Toasty]

I checked, and like Denali, Escalade is missing the passenger grip at the A pillar. Once again, it seems to be speaker-related.

There is a grip at the headliner, though.

I must say that the grip at the A pillar looks very truck-like. Whereas the clean A pillar looks more luxurious.

I don't disagree about the look. But if someone really needs the stability of the A-pillar handle, there's a good chance that the one above the door will be too high.

 

[larryo]

I don't disagree about the look. But if someone really needs the stability of the A-pillar handle, there's a good chance that the one above the door will be too high.

Exactly my point. The overhead assist handle requires that the passenger use their left hand tp,pull themselves up into the seat, whereas with the A pillar assist handle, the right hand can be used to pull the passenger up into the seat.
IMO, Using the right hand is less awkward for a person that has reduced strength in their arms.

 

[Toasty]

Exactly my point. The overhead assist handle requires that the passenger use their left hand tp,pull themselves up into the seat, whereas with the A pillar assist handle, the right hand can be used to pull the passenger up into the seat.
IMO, Using the right hand is less awkward for a person that has reduced strength in their arms.

Espeicially since it's "out" not "up"

 

[larryo]

Espeicially since it's "out" not "up"

Interesting. I’ve never pulled myself out of the seat when I’m getting in the vehicle. Since the seat is somewhat higher than where I’m standing, I tend to pull myself “up” to get into the seat.

 

[Toasty]

Interesting. I’ve never pulled myself out of the seat when I’m getting in the vehicle. Since the seat is somewhat higher than where I’m standing, I tend to pull myself “up” to get into the seat.

I meant that the A pillar reach is likely easier since it's reaching out/forward, not up/overhead for entering.

 

[gary645]

Asked my dealer to replace the A pillar passenger cover with one with an assist handle. He researched the possibility including checking with GM. The answer is an assist handle cannot be added to the 2021 Denali.

 

[Thomas Schneider]

I thought this to be strange, so I took a look at pics of the Tahoe "High Country" which I thought was the Chevy version of the Denali and they do have the handle on the A pillar!! However, I see the Denali does have that speaker, thus no way to swap out with those that don't have the speaker there.

 

[larryo]

In my original post a little over 3 years ago, I identified my issue with the lack of a passenger assist handle on the passenger A pillar. I have researched the possibility of replacing the existing A pillar trim with one that has an assist handle like on the SLT and SLE. I have found a solution to my issue.
it’s taken me awhile to get the parts needed and wait until my Yukon Denali was out of warranty.
But here is the result of my efforts.

You will notice the lack of a speaker grille. This was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to get the assist handle for my disabled wife. The speaker is still behind the trim although the sound may be distorted some. For me, the outcome meets my need.
If anyone is interested, I can post the details of how I accomplished this modification.

 

[WalleyeMikeIII]

In my original post a little over 3 years ago, I identified my issue with the lack of a passenger assist handle on the passenger A pillar. I have researched the possibility of replacing the existing A pillar trim with one that has an assist handle like on the SLT and SLE. I have found a solution to my issue.
it’s taken me awhile to get the parts needed and wait until my Yukon Denali was out of warranty.
But here is the result of my efforts.
View attachment 421052You will notice the lack of a speaker grille. This was a sacrifice I was willing to make in order to get the assist handle for my disabled wife. The speaker is still behind the trim although the sound may be distorted some. For me, the outcome meets my need.
If anyone is interested, I can post the details of how I accomplished this modification.

yes, pleaee. You must have gone w/ the Dark Atmosphere interior color, do you have the Light Shale/Teak as the choice color?
I wonder if a speaker shop or a dremel tool and some adhesive could be used to cut a speaker hole and steal the grill from the factory A Pillar trim.
A fair amoutt of Dash disassembly reuquired???

 

[larryo]

Removal of the passenger side A pillar trim is easy. Use a trim removal tool to pop the top spring clip of the trim piece at the headliner. Be aware there is a small bungee cord bolted to the A pillar trim and to A pillar. Presumably this bungee keeps the trim panel from flying off when there is an airbag deployment. Unbolt both ends and remove the cord. Then remove the two torx screws that attach the speaker to the trim panel.
You can then lift the trim panel upward and out. No dash disassembly is required.

My 2021 Yukon Denali has the Pearl Beige Metallic paint with the Teak/light shale interior. The identification on the existing A pillar trim panel says it’s color is whisper beige. Since GM only offered these interior colors on the Denali, I had to live with whatever color A pillar trim panel with assist handle I could find.

I ended up finding a Dark Atmosphere trim with assist handle and the associated caps (2) to cover the fasteners at GMPartsdirect.com. I purchased these last spring so I don’t if they are still available. However, the part number for the assist handle is 84691899 and the cap part number is 84545065.

Now, before I started, I made the assumption that GM provided the mounting provisions on the A pillar for the two mounting bolts that attach the assist handle to the structure. I figured that all Yukon body frames started out the same to save costs.

I was partially correct. The mounting holes and reinforcement was there, but the holes did not have threads for bolts. Not a big issue.

I measured the hole size and determined it to be approximately .218” in diameter. From this I decided this would be close enough for either a 1/4-28 tap or a 6mm fine tap. Since I already had a 1/4-28 tap, I proceeded to tap both holes for 1/4-28 x 1-1/2” long bolts.

I looked at trying to modify the new assist handle trim piece to accommodate the existing speaker, but decided I neither had the skills or the tooling necessary to do a job that looked professional. The speaker mounting is thermoformed into the trim piece. Anything I would have tried would have looked like a butcher job. I ended up Ty wrapping the speaker to the plastic tube running down the A pillar.

I took the original A pillar trim panel to Lowes and found a spray paint that was remarkably close to the original color. It took several coats of paint to fully cover the original Dark Atmosphere color but it turned out as well as I expected.

Installing the new assist handle went ok once I got all the tabs lined up. Bolting it down went well too

 

[PsyZek]

Has anyone done this to the driver side of a Yukon?

 

[tagexpcom]

So interesting. We bought a used 2021 Denali a few months ago and I just went out and checked. Indeed, the handle is up over the seat as described and useless - my left arm (passenger side) doesn't leverage properly to use it for hoisting up. And even on the driver's side (right arm) it's just not the right leverage - too far back to be useful.

I'm 'old' and it's definitely a challenge (compared to regular cars low to the ground) to get UP into this rig. I hope they take that into consideration in the future because the rig is a real pleasure to drive and no reason to make accessibility harder than it needs to be.

 

[gary645]

I have one I no longer need. When I return after Easter we can make contact.