So far, the reasons I've heard for Ford not putting a grab handle on the driver's side A pillar:

It would block your vision. The driver's side grab handle on my 2002 Expedition doesn't block my vision. The A pillar itself blocks more vision than the grab handle.

There's an air bag there. There's an air bag on the passenger side A pillar and there's a grab handle there, too.

Our competitors don't have them. Not entirely true. Chevys don't have a grab handle there, but Dodges and Toyotas do. For that matter, Ford Super Dutys have a grab handle there and so do Ford Expeditions.

You can use the steering wheel to help you into the vehicle. As an engineer, that's just dumb to me. Doing so would put a large bending moment on the steering column. I can't see this practice being good for the bearings and pivot points in the steering column over time.

Ford's cheap. Well, I don't want to draw any conclusions as to whether or not the accountants run the business, but it does seem that way.

 

I reckon if you need a grab handle to get in your truck, maybe you should look for something a bit lower. Lack of handle makes the truck self limiting.