Door removal

[J91FORD]

Has any one else thought about taking the front doors off? (kinda like a J**P) I like the idea of being able to lean out the door and see for example rocks that you are going over. Or am I just a werdo with crazy ideas?

 

[Dignan]

Well I've thought of it, but I know I'm a wierdo with crazy ideas so I geuss that means you are too.

 

[rpenner54]

As soon as mine is no longer a daily driver that is going to happen. That or I am going to make half doors. The body may flex to much without doors in there. Or just brace up the body really good. I think this is a great idea.

 

[J91FORD]

does anyone know if it would be legal? i figure if the J**ps can do it why not other trucks? Of course the seat belt must be worn all the time.

I guess the only real way to know if give the police a call

 

[rpenner54]

Depends on the State. I know in the republic of California it is not. Its legal for jeeps there because they come that way from the factory. That is why lots of folks make half doors. You would have to check with the state you live in to find out.

 

[J91FORD]

thanks for all the help ill call the state police.

 

[rock883]

I think that if I didn't drive my explorer on the road all the time, I would love to take the doors off. The only thing I would do is get some kick panels that hold speakers for the front, and get some 6x9 boxes under the rear seats. I love my music, I couldn't do without it. But thats the only thing I woud have to worry about having an XL (basically no options not even 4x4 ), I have no other wiring to worry about. Another thing I would love to do is have a soft top that I could put down. I saw a Dogde Ram pickup (must have been a 93 or something) and he had a soft top on his truck, and it went down and everything, it looked pretty cool.

 

[J91FORD]

well I thought long and hard and this is what i came up with ..... Go buy both front doors at a junk yard and modify them so they are half doors and switch them back in the winter.

Just one problem ... how low should i go with the door?
My dad owns a machine shop so that would help alot!
Who needs a J**p when you have a explorer?

 

[rock883]

Well, its hard to tell how low to go, because if you go too low, then you would have to modify the door handle and lock mechanism. I think it would be easier, just to get some kind of connector ( i saw it in a magazine article, it was like a 6 pin connector, looks exactly like factory. You crimp the wires onto these connectors, and the connectors go into a plastic thing and the other end you match em up and all, and it looks really cool, and you could put those right in between the door jamb or something, and you could remove the doors easily if you have power windows, locks, etc...Just unplug the connector/s, and remove the doors. Or, you could make some half door things (ever seen those safari doors for jeeps?) Something like that, a tubular type door, with a locking mechanism, and door handle to let the door close and stay closed. I think it owuld be awesome, but I'm not much of a fabricator, so I couldn't do it, but I do like to weld stuff, but oculdn't get everyhting all lined up and stuff, ya know? Way too complicated for me.

 

[J91FORD]

well i prolly would cut about 1.5" or so above the door handle and after i got past the rod for the lock i would start going down again then come back up for the hinge kinda like a "U"

 

[Isles4evr]

I took my door off when I was replacing my pins and bushings. I just took it up the street. It felt really cool not having them on there. It porbably looked stupid though because I have my hindges and wiring and stuff all right there. I wouldn't see how it could be illegal, just as long as it is legal for jeeps to have teir doors off in your state. I'm sure that if you were driving down the interstate w/ out the doors and passed a state trooper he would pull you to she what the hell was wrong with you. I'm sure you could argue it just fine though.

If mine wasn't a daily driver, i probably would take 'em off, and just like rock, i would love to make it a drop top too!

Just can't dream enough!
Chris

 

[donkey boy]

For being legal, you also would need to find a way to mount the 2 rear-view mirrors.

 

[Adam]

Has anyone ever thought about creating not half doors but some kind of filler to round out the corners after the doors was taken out? What I mean is if any of you are familiar with early broncos, when people take the doors off the put in a filler for looks and to cover and exposed holes and corners. If any of you have any idea what I am talking about I would like to hear what your thoughts are.
Thanks,
adam

 

[J91FORD]

I put a little bit of thought into that. if you have a 4 door you would have to watch because when the back door opens it would hit.

but other then that you could make a stainless steel or aluminum channel and rivet it on. And when u want to put the doors back on drill out the rivets. And when u take them back off just use the same holes to rivet it again

Just a thought

 

[Positive Vibes]

Ok did a search on door removal and this is the best thread I could find. I like the idea of removing the doors and installing a tubular door. I know Rick did this and someone else. My question is, is there anyway to make installation and removal easy like on a heep? Does anyone make these? I know but I had to ask.