Buildin Half Doors Outta Stockers

[CarFreak146]

Just thought I'd let everybody in on my newest project while I wait for money to finish up the Explorer..... I got a set of front doors from a swapmeet this weekend for $50., so I've decided to make half doors. I'm gonna be removing the outside door handle and lock cylinder, but retain the inner door handle, thus allowing me to reuse the factory door latch. Last night I laid out the cut that I wanna make with scotch tape on my factorty to get a feel for how its gonna look, and I started gutting the doors I got from the swapmeet. I'm at work right now, so I'll have to post pics tonight of the progress so far. Just thought I'd give a heads up that you CAN make half doors out of a factory door.

--Ryan

 

[Creager]

was it RockRanger that did something simular to this?

 

[FROADER]

Yes on his 86 ranger

 

[sn0border88]

I also beat you to it, mine should look just like rockragers when im done.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?t=155525

 

[metstalker]

I also beat you to it,

not if he finishes his first

 

[sn0border88]

I beat him to the idea/getting started is what I meant. But the doors should be done soon, they could be done in a day if I had a day. realy busy now. The wiring is going to be the hard part. Carfreak, are you planning on making them interchangable with you stock doors and making wiring disconnects or is it a once and done deal?

 

[CarFreak146]

I didn't know it was a race. haha, I was just puttin up my latest project. They will be interchangable with my full doors, but they won't have any wiring in them.... my half doors are completely gutted. no reason to have anythin in half doors, not like I could roll the windows up. haha. I finished cuttin the door last night, and bolted it up to get a feel for the amount I cut out. once again, I haven't had a chance to get pictures up, but I will..... I'm likin the looks of them, but I can't wait to be able to use them.

--ryan

 

[sn0border88]

I know, but what about your regular doors? I guess youre just going to leave them useless?

 

[CarFreak146]

I'm gonna use the stock doors during the winter, but you don't need to do any custom wiring, there's plugs just in the body that will disconnect the wiring from the doors. so I guess I'm not understanding your concerns.

--Ryan

 

[ExporeRanger]

thats tight..i cant wait to see the pics..i love my jeeps halfdoors..and i wish i could hav em on all vehicles..but the ex doors are a lot different..i also hav an 86 ranger...its kinda just a gas mileage vehicle and i put around in it..and use it to haul stuff..i'd like to do halfdoors on that or sumthing.if i found me some cheapo swapmeet ones..lol...keep us updated

 

[sn0border88]

my concern is that I have taken apart an explorer and after everything but the dash was out Its still impossible to take off the harness. So I was just going to splice another one in, unless you have a better idea

 

[CarFreak146]

Well, here's the pics. everybody knows what the stockers look like, so no need for that right? anyway, as I said, I'm not done yet, but I got the pass. side cut out last night and mounted it just for you guys to see......

First I laid out the template of how I wanted it cut on the Factory Door that I'm gonna keep....

Then I started guttin and cuttin the Swapmeet doors....

Then I cut the Frame off and cut the angle to make that actual "half door"....

Then I bolted them up to see if they were low enough for my taste (makes a great armrest!) and to post up pictures for ya'll....

I still need to plate the inside and top of the door, and I'm also gonna install a cuholder towards the front of the door to hold my beverages (water) while wheelin. I'll post up more as I make more progress.

Whatcha think?

--Ryan

 

[sn0border88]

looks just like mine. Im also looking to brace the doors, with some pipe ran across the top and to the bottom. I like the cupholder idea, may have to steal that.

Also, I know that the passanger side harness is fairly easy, have you tried the driversside yet? Im intrested to see if you can get it off alright, is so then I dont have to cut my harness.

Are you going to make any modification to the hinge of they are lift on/off like a jeep or are you just going to unbolt them everytime.

 

[CarFreak146]

I used to take my doors off every weekend, They're easy to get the connectors undone, just takes some patience. I also got under the dash and pulle a little slack to the door jams so I could pull the ocnnectors out a little farther.

--Ryan

 

[DeRocha]

It is looking good What are you doing with the stock carpet and seats? I mean in terms of rain and water being thrown all over the place are you going to use those water proof neoprene seat covers and pull the carpet?

 

[ExplorerDMB]

good lord look at that rust

cool door though

 

[Creager]

good lord look at that rust

cool door though

holy crap, you can say THAT again

Carfreak, get some 3m undercoating on that rust pronto! If not to stop it, it shal look better!

i like the door, its giving me ideas. too many ideas!


Do you have plans to match the rear doors?

how about a roll cage?

 

[ExporeRanger]

hey rust is just natures weld...leave t alone haha..the half doors are going to be so sick man..please keep us updated..i think youve inspired me...wher can i find some doors for an 86 ranger? those doors are fairly simple compared to even a first gen. expo...i think i might def. up and dothis haha..so keep us updated ill check dialy for sure..
-chris

 

[Creager]

Natures weld hahaha. i got tons of stuff that could use the added support, maybe they sell 50lb bags of salt at home depot?

 

[DeRocha]

Natures weld hahaha. i got tons of stuff that could use the added support, maybe they sell 50lb bags of salt at home depot?

No need to buy, it its free on our New England roads