Drivers side grab handle. Disconnect battery first?

OK . hello everyone. I'm gonna put in the drivers side grab handle on my 21 tundra. Do you have to disconnect the battery first or not? I've seen videos both ways. But is it absolutely nessisary to disconnect battery? Thanks in advance.

 

Anytime you are working close to an airbag you should disconnect the battery.

 

No, not necessary.
Just be careful not to interfere with or disturb air bag placement and/or wiring.

 

While not necessary it takes 10 seconds to disconnect - a good precaution that costs no money and little time to prevent rare possibility of messing up the airbag system.

 

I'm about to do the driver-side-pillar-grab-handle swap myself. I'm not concerned about the pillar air bag going off and I have not heard of a solitary person ever having it happen during said swap. But, if you are in any way hesitant, pull that lead! Only takes 20 seconds.

 

Obviously, I stand corrected. However, I didn't disconnect battery when I installed mine.

 

Recently did this and did not disconnect the battery. Laziness, but it IS always good to be safe.............

 

So unnecessary.

 

Thanks to all you guys!
How about a locking gas cap for 2021 tundra dbl cab. Don't want to do fuel door...just the cap...any recommendations?

 

Yep, I did not.

 

I recall I did for no other reason that it gave me peace of mind considering my track record for turning 15 minute jobs into a more expensive/longer ordeal.

still can’t explain why these trucks don’t have a drivers side handle or a tail gate lock standard.

 

Same reason they don’t have lockers, an outlet in the bed, rear auto windows, auto wipers, etc...

 

Yup!

 

Damn...
Now, where is that 10mm socket?

 

Not necessary untill the airbag goes off and your next thread is...."Why did the airbag go off when I was replacing the grab handle?"

Disconnect it.

 

There’s actually a higher chance of doing some electrical damage disconnecting and reconnecting a battery than the airbag going off changing the plastic pillar trim.

 

Grab handle??? Unless you have those sensors that detect the key, you may have to, but its not interfering with an airbag... I've pulled both my front door panels without disconnecting the battery with no issues... had to lube my locking mechanisms... mine is an 07 though, low tech, but do believe its the same airbags...

 

I did eggzactly what P-Factor did when I installed mine. Two years ago. And I'm here posting.

Now for the lawyer part: YMMV.

 

I did mine today. I did not disconnect the battery. Lazy on my part, but no issues.

 

Mine is coming from Japan and I will not be disconnecting the battery. Sometimes I like to live dangerously.

 

I did not, but @mountainpete is probably correct.
It certainly would not hurt...

 

https://youtu.be/mKLizztikRk