Doors off, top on?

[Schaefo]

Someone was selling "quick detach" door hinges for the FJ40 hard doors on this forum for a while - not sure if he's still producing them. I hope he is because that's on my want list for exactly this reason!



This is exactly what happened to my truck - It was a california vehicle, moved to Annapolis, MD with its previous owner. Owner kept the truck in the garage (mostly rust free tub) but the top and doors outside (completely rotten).

My plan is to run the top and doors until it comes time for body work. Since most of the bodywork will BE in the top and doors, I'll take them off and run topless until I get it all fixed!

@Schaefo - I'm a couple hours up the road from you in Cecil County, if you ever need a hand!

Thanks man. I fully expect the gasket/seal between the tub and the top to be completely dry and cracked, perhaps even non-existent. Previous owner had an alum tub installed about 5-6 years ago and told me he'd never taken the top off. When I drive in the rain (or wash her) I get a decent leak in the rear driver's side corner that seems to be coming from that seal. I plan to order a full gasket replacement kit at some point. From systems like the Harken hoist posted above by @TLCJC to simple rigs using ratchet straps to installing an electric winch in my attic space above the garage I figure I can make something work. The issue is the ceiling of my garage being high enough and without obstructions like beams and lights. All I know is that it was a mere 82 degrees here the other day and I was roasting like a thanksgiving turkey in there. I cannot imagine driving her in the real heat and humidity of July and August in DC.

 

[Schaefo]

Garage height = 9 feet. This may be an issue as many have said "at least 10 feet" for systems to work. I may have caught a break, however. I think the roof support posts that run down into the frame may have been cut or removed when previous owner replaced the tub. Does anyone have a good photo from the interior of what those posts look like with the top on?

 

[RWBeringer4x4]

With the top on, you don't see them - they slide down into the pillar behind the front doors. There is a small screw through each pillar that bites into the metal post and locks it in place.

Not too familiar with the aluminum tubs, they might not have the holes cut to accommodate the support posts. The aluminum tub might also be the source of your leak issues. They're a solid replacement option but I've heard that there are fitment issues with most of the aluminum tubs and the hard tops.

If there's a big enough gap, the seals won't seal it.

 

[Landpimp]

You can take the door off without dropping the window. Just trim(carefully) the head off on one side of the upper pin, it will then clear the window frame.

Or, you could just leave the hinges attached and unbolt from doors, then use OEM safety strap bracket, which attaches to the hinges.

 

[Snowdogyyz]

I put my top door pins in upside down. Then you punch them away from the windshield when removing doors. They have never budged, much less fallen out,

 

[White Stripe]

East coast summer weather is oppressive. I would not run with the top off all summer. I would install air conditioning, and put a soft top on. When its not real hot and humid out-which is like 3 days out of the summer, you could fold the soft top down. For all other days, you could have the air conditioning going full blast. May and October are nice out east though, for those months it would be nice to have the top down, but it could rain like crazy at any second so thats why its nice to have the soft top so you can always pull it up if a storm is coming in fast. The factory version soft tops dont fold down but you can roll up the sides, which most the time is nicer in the summer anyway because it keeps a balance of fresh air yet keeping the sun from beating down on you directly.

 

[Schaefo]

East coast summer weather is oppressive. I would not run with the top off all summer. I would install air conditioning, and put a soft top on. When its not real hot and humid out-which is like 3 days out of the summer, you could fold the soft top down. For all other days, you could have the air conditioning going full blast. May and October are nice out east though, for those months it would be nice to have the top down, but it could rain like crazy at any second so thats why its nice to have the soft top so you can always pull it up if a storm is coming in fast. The factory version soft tops dont fold down but you can roll up the sides, which most the time is nicer in the summer anyway because it keeps a balance of fresh air yet keeping the sun from beating down on you directly.

Thanks and I agree but installing AC is nowhere near the top of my list in terms of what I need to spend time and money on right now with this truck. Coolant leaks, gas fumes, disconnected defroster hoses, barely functioning e-brake...lots of higher priorities.

 

[Schaefo]

With the top on, you don't see them - they slide down into the pillar behind the front doors. There is a small screw through each pillar that bites into the metal post and locks it in place.

Not too familiar with the aluminum tubs, they might not have the holes cut to accommodate the support posts. The aluminum tub might also be the source of your leak issues. They're a solid replacement option but I've heard that there are fitment issues with most of the aluminum tubs and the hard tops.

If there's a big enough gap, the seals won't seal it.

I'm guessing the posts should go into the pillar in this large open hole? See photos, this is why I am thinking I don't have these supports. Am I right?

 

[70fj40]

Looks like yours have been cut out.

 

[HJ47]

Just grabbed a couple pics of my HJ47 sides with the post included. I suspect my posts were slightly shortened.

 

[RolandFJ40]

I run top an doors off all summer, bikini top for shade.

 

[Curt]

The aluminum tubs require modifying to make the hardtop fit, at least the aqualu ones used to probably updated now. Im sure you could fabricate some square tub to fit in there a couple inches. Uncut ones are a good 6-8" long

 

[Schaefo]

The aluminum tubs require modifying to make the hardtop fit, at least the aqualu ones used to probably updated now. Im sure you could fabricate some square tub to fit in there a couple inches. Uncut ones are a good 6-8" long

I think I lucked out by not having them actually. It might mean the difference between being able to lift it off in my garage and not having the height clearance.

 

[Curt]

I have my fully suspended with only 9', that being said it is a tight squeeze on the sides of the roll bar.

 

[daniel.watters]

I run mine mostly w/o the top. Sometimes just with no doors!

 

[JohnnyC]

I think they look great with top on and doors off... Even better is when you also have the door straps... And better than that is when the top is a FST

 

[cult45]

...the best part of being doorless is putting your left foot on the running board when driving.....(the guys with RHD will never know such joys)

Hand throttle brother!

 

[ErikinSC]

Download the hoist instructions, and plan your install. I BACK the -40 into the garage, hoist the top up, and pull my wife's truck in under the top.

You can drive top on / doors on.

Top on / doors off.
Top off / doors on :

Or go top on with 1/2 doors, and quick hinges :

JUST DRIVE IT.