Nevada Backroaders

I've heard and read in many different places that the doors offer no structural benefit . So whats the real deal ? I did use the half pin method and it was very easy to do. I've only run it a couple times with the doors off and didn't notice anything change when I put them back on.

Cherokees are unibody construction and the doors play an integral part in the structural stability of the entire framework. removing the doors creates more body flex which can easily result in distortion of the entire vehicle and not being able to properly mount doors again once you leave the trail.

If the XJ has had the unibody reenforced then yes, driving without the doors would be no major issue, but very few people actualy do this.

As far as choping down a set of doors, it would help retain structural design as well as aid in protecting your Jeep from catastrophic structural failure.

Take your donor doors and remove the inside door panel, then remove all the window components. Once done, reinstall the door panel. If a mirror is installed, remove it. If you don’t use a mirror, OK, otherwise you’ll have to remount it or use an aftermarket mirror.

Take a saws all and cut the front and rear window support pillars flush with the bottom of the window opening on the door, effectively cutting the top of the door off. Depending on what door you use and where the mirror is mounted, you may have some problems cutting that area.

Now that the upper window frame is cut away from the door, you’ll have to clean up the openings that you just cut. Grind everything down flush. What I would recommend at this point, is to put a strip of fiberglass from door edge to door edge covering the cut off areas as well as the glass opening. They are areas where it is too easy to get fingers caught in. Use what ever you want. Duct tape might even work but could be punctured easily.

That will give you half doors, lighter than full, and a bigger top opening to get your poser shots taken.