Half doors

[doughboy]

I managed to get a set of front doors for the 80 for cheap and decided to cut them up for half doors. It took about 30 minutes, if even, to gut the doors out. Cut the inside panel out then when to town on the outside. Used a jigsaw to cut them.
They ended up being more like 1/8 doors. I guess I got a little cut happy. they are not finished yet got a few little things to do. I'm working on some soft door inserts for bad weather.

 

[Delancy]

Like the concept a lot more than tube doors, from an aesthetics standpoint.

 

[BlueCruiser84]

I think they look really good. Still add a bit of rigidity but allow you to jump in and out.

 

[jynx]

Neat idea. I would have to add some tube to have an armrest and help fend off the branches a little, but I definitely like them better than a full on tube door.

 

[93yotasr5]

looks more like 1/4 doors lol. i wouldve kept a bit more on the panels.
they do look good though. im always on the lookout for a set of doors to do the same.

 

[tpham32]

I like the idea a lot, never seen them on an 80 though. My buddies have done the same to his 3rd gen 4runner and the other had done it to his pickup. nice work!

 

[lt1fire]

I like them..... i'd think i'd keep the line to flow with the molding line though

I got three doors in the garage.... might take a shot at it... just need one more for the passenger rear.

 

[Box Rocket]

I have a full set (4) of doors from a '96 80 that I planned to do this with but haven't ever made the time to do it. I'm willing to sell the doors if someone is interested. PM me an offer.

 

[doughboy]

looks more like 1/4 doors lol. i wouldve kept a bit more on the panels.
they do look good though. im always on the lookout for a set of doors to do the same.

I got a little cut happy. I didn't think I cut that much out when I was doing it, but as soon as I put them on I was "huh I should have cut four or six inches less"

I like them..... i'd think i'd keep the line to flow with the molding line though

I got three doors in the garage.... might take a shot at it... just need one more for the passenger rear.

If I were to do it again I'd cut them on the higher molding line and not the bottom. Can't really go back and change it now...


So, after a few days of having the doors on I can say that I really enjoy them. The wind isn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. There is actually less wind on my face with the windows down then these 1/4 doors. Getting in and out without opening the doors is nice, but I have caught my shirt a few times on the metal. I do get some interesting looks from people though, and a few compliments.

I still have to file down the edges to smooth them out and I am going to put a piece of stripping over it so no one accidently cuts themselves. I have to paint the mirrors. It looks silly with the white mirrors. I also want to do Soft Door inserts for inclement weather.

I am planning on running these as summer doors and my normal doors for winter doors. Taking off and put on the 1/4 doors with one person, but you'll need help putting on the normal doors. Those suckers are heavy with all the crap in them!

Angelo

 

[lt1fire]

They still latch and open fine with the handles all gone??

 

[doughboy]

Yes, they latch and open just fine. There is a little push lever that you push down and the door pops open.

 

[7schulz]

Bump for a few month reveiw and more pics, inside, closed, latch/lever for opening.

 

[doughboy]

Bump for a few month reveiw and more pics, inside, closed, latch/lever for opening.

I love them! Unless its raining or cold. I am currently in MO and my rig is in CO. She broke down three times on the way back to MO. Had her towed back to my pops house. I'm leaving for Korea in December and I'll be back in CO early December. I can then take pictures of the latch for opening. I won't be able to take pictures from the inside or with the half doors on until I come back from Korea and that could be one to two years.




First break down. Nothing like loosing steering at 80mph and going of the interstate...





This is my third break down. As you can see I replaced the broken pitman arm with one that should never break from slee. My dad was kind enough to pick it up from slee and drive it nine hours to me. Something went in that front hub, I lost my breaks and coasted to a stop. At this point I was done and my main priority was to get back to base.

I drove from Fort Leonard Wood, MO to Denver, CO with the half doors on and it was awesome. No crazy amount of wind on my face. Nice circulation of air around my feet and some interesting tan lines.

I put on my other doors for winter driving. The half doors weigh all of ten pounds and were way easy to take off and came off in all of five minutes. Putting on the full set of doors is another story. It took about an hour or so to put them back on. Everything lined up as it should and worked, opened, closed, windows, door locks, speakers, and mirrors.

I like driving with the half doors and I probably do the back doors to match. I would like to do soft door inserts for inclement weather. Driving with them in the rain sucks. I don't normally have passengers so I can't comment on how talking is with them at speed. I just turn up the radio. I would also like to do a quick disconnect for all the wires in the doors.

Angelo

 

[7schulz]

Angelo,
That's a rough trip, good luck in Korea. I plan on doing all four also.