A Jeep Wrangler is already one sweet ride. But imagine you could take the cool factor to an exponential level. How? By taking the doors off.
With a warm summer breeze flowing through your vehicle, you can enjoy off-roading, coastal driving, or even errand-running with a feeling of freedom and excitement you can’t get when you’re caged in with the doors.
So if you’re intrigued by the idea of taking the doors off your Jeep Wrangler, follow these tips and steps to get the job done quickly and easily.
Quick Questions Before Starting
Before you start to take the doors off a Jeep Wrangler, you might have a few quick questions, especially if it’s your first time doing so. By learning the answers to these questions, you can decide if the project is right for you, or whether you need to enlist the help of others.
How Difficult is This to Complete?
Compared to other types of maintenance or modifications on your Jeep, taking the doors off is a relatively simple process. The most difficult part is muscling the doors off the hinge, as the front doors (varies by model) can weigh between 45 and 70 pounds apiece and the rear doors are between 34 and 45 pounds. For smaller individuals, this may mean removing the doors becomes a two-person job.
How Long Does it Take to Complete?
If you’re handy with basic tools and can lift the weight of the doors, this entire process might take around 30 minutes. However, the first door is always the trickiest, so expect taking the doors off to take a bit longer until you get the hang of it. At a maximum, this should take you approximately one hour.
How Much Do Materials Cost?
If you own a Jeep JL, taking the doors off the vehicle won’t cost you a dime. Since 2018, the first year of the Jeep Wrangler JL, Jeep has included a tool kit that has everything you need to take the doors off.
If you have a different model of the Wrangler, you can buy this tool kit directly from Mopar for about $21 or $22. For those that don’t care about a branded soft tool case (which is essentially what you’re paying for), you can find the manual torque wrench and sockets titled as a “Jeep tool kit,” but without branding. For this, you’ll pay about $12 to $15.
How to Take Doors Off Jeep Wrangler
Taking the doors of your Jeep Wrangler is a straightforward process, but it may require a bit of finesse and strength to do so. If you’ve never taken the doors off before, follow these tips to streamline the process and proper storage of your doors once they’re off the hinges.
Jeep JL Door Removal
To remove the doors from a Jeep JL, you’ll need the included Jeep tool kit. Once you have this, start by rolling down the window to prevent any damage. Use the included T-50 Torx head driver to remove the hinge pin screws from the door. Once you remove the screws, place them in the dedicated holding tray inside the door for safekeeping.
Next, you’ll need to remove the wiring harness door strap. To complete this task, locate the wiring access door below the instrument panel. Slide this panel back, but don’t try to pry it, as you could damage it. Find the wiring harness, push the red clip up, lift up on the harness lever, and pull it out. Remove the door strap as well.
Then, use the T-40 Torx head driver to remove the final check screw from the door. Finally, lift up on the door and remove it. Put the interior side down on a blanket, wrap it, and place it somewhere out of the way. Repeat the process for the passenger’s side door, and you’re ready to roll.
Uncertain about something? Take a look at the video below for a more detailed explanation!
Jeep JK Door Removal
The process for removing the doors of a Jeep JK is identical to that of a Jeep JL. The only difference is that your JK may not have come with a tool kit to remove the doors, so you might have to buy one.
Removing the Rear Doors of the Jeep JK and Jeep JL
If you have a Jeep Unlimited, you’ll also have to remove the rear doors, but it’s similar to removing the front doors. Again, roll the window down and remove the hinge pins. Slide your booster seats all the way forward so you can access the panel located on the Jeep’s B-Pillar (for power locks and windows only).
Then, remove the wiring harness as you did on the front doors, as well as the door strap. Remove the final check screw, and lift the door out of place. Store them safely. Within just a few minutes, your doors should be off, and you’re good to go.
Safety Tips When Taking Doors Off Your Wrangler
Like with any other type of modification to your vehicle, safety is essential, including your personal safety and the safety of your Wrangler doors. To ensure a smooth process without injury, make sure to do the following.
Don’t Try to Be He-man
Although 35 or 45 pounds may not seem heavy, a door is an awkward shape with most of the weight at the bottom end. If you’re not in the best shape or you’re of small stature, don’t be afraid to ask someone to help. Jeep actually recommends that all the doors should be removed by two people, so don’t play He-man needlessly.
Disabling the Alarm and Door Light
You don’t want to get stranded in the middle of nowhere because you forgot to disable the alarm and door light. Make sure you complete this step, otherwise you could find yourself in a dangerous situation, especially in places without cell phone coverage.
Store the Doors Properly
So this is more for your emotional safety than anything else. Accidentally scratching or dinging your Wrangler doors would pi*s you off, so store them carefully. You have two options. Place each door with the interior side down on a blanket, wrap them up, and put them somewhere safe. You can also hang them on specific door hangers in your garage as an alternative.
Feel the Crisp Breeze and Warm Sun By Taking the Doors of Your Jeep Wrangler
If you’ve ever seen a person driving around without the doors on their Wrangler, chances are you haven’t noticed too many of them frowning. Well, that can be you.
By following the tips and safety steps above, you can enjoy that unseasonably warm winter day or an entire summer of fun. With the ability to take the doors off, there really is nothing better than getting behind the wheel of a Jeep Wrangler.
People Also Ask
Despite the relative ease of taking the doors off a Jeep Wrangler, you might have some other questions and concerns. Here are some of the most common questions people also ask about taking the doors off their Wrangler.
Every state in the country allows people to drive with the doors off their Jeep Wrangler. However, you should take note as to whether your state requires side mirrors to operate the vehicle. Some states require one side mirror, others require two side mirrors, and still, others don’t make drivers have any.
Because the mirrors attach to the doors of the Jeep Wrangler, you may have to buy an aftermarket side mirror that clips on to the door frame. Again, check with your state to ensure you have the proper amount of mirrors.
All Jeep Wranglers (and the Wrangler Unlimited) have removable doors, as this was an innovative and exciting feature almost exclusive to the Wrangler. The only problem you might run into is if you have power doors and locks. In older models, this may require some splicing while newer models simply have a harness you can unclip.
If you can’t get your Jeep doors off, several culprits could be at play. Make sure you detach all screws, the door strap, and any wiring harnesses. If the door still won’t lift out, you might need to grease the hinges with WD-40 or a similar lubricant.
Yes, you can still take the doors off. Usually, there’s a wiring harness that you simply unclip to free the door. In older models, you may have to splice some cables, but this is a rarity.
Who Worked on This?
Brian
Editor
A master of organization, Brian helps keep everything running smoothly for Your Jeep Guide.
No Jeep yet but we’re working on that!
Cory
Writer
Cory loves his XJ and frequently thrashes it through the hills. He’s constantly fixing something.
“What fenders?”
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