Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

How likely is there to be any paint damage if the doors are taken off a 2011 JKSU?

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

None

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

shouldn't have a worry at all. Be carful. I think more damage happens due to the socket or ratchet hitting the doors LOL. I wrap my in a cloth/towel. Also roll down your windows before you take off your doors. THey are not heavy but just be careful, if you have access to a moving blanket or somthing put that under it. I have heard of people dropping their doors and ugg big dent or pain chip.

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Rolling the windows sounds like a good tip! Thanks.
Any other experiences with the process still appreciated... Anyone else taken them off with or without incident?

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

just like nicker22 said, use a cloth around the ratchet when you take the screws off. Personally I never put the screws back on during the summer. Just make sure it will be well lubricated since dirt and mud will fill the holes. The front doors are heavier and if you're not comfortable taking those off by yourself, ask a friend for help. With windows down, once it's off the Jeep I put my arm through it and carry the door one by one on my shoulder :) Pay attention where you're gonna store these to make sure they don't fall on the ground or on some other things you might have in your storage room. Other than that you should be able to take them off as much as you want without any problem!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

I've had no issues taking them off.
Simple...
1. Roll down windows
2. Remove torx bolts on bottom of hinges
3. Open door, disconnect wire harness and door strap, tuck inside door pocket (do not let go of door, wind may blow it wide open)
4. Open door 90 degrees from Jeep and lift
5. Put door somewhere safe.
I find putting the doors on takes a little more care. Reverse instructions above.
Sometimes it's hard to line up both hinge pins if you are exhausted, so be careful!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Putting them back on is the hardest part...especially if you have a lift.

If your stock...put it this way, I'm a 112lb 5'2" female and I used to get my doors off and on in under 5 minutes before my lift. No scratches. Now...a few dings.

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Buy a pool noodle cut it into 2 (2dr) or 4 (4dr) pieces. slit 1/2 way through down the length. Slip these onto the bottoms of your doors before removing. Now your door bottoms are protected so you can safely set them down. if you happen to slip and drop one they are protected good enough to take a big hit.The trick seems to be finding the balance point of the door to insure a smooth damage free install..

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Great tips everyone... Especialy the windows open and the pool noodle. I just put old towels down where I planned on setting them down but I'll do the pool noodle next time for sure. The doors were a lot heavier and more awkward to hold than I expected. Managed to get them off and on with no damage. My advice is not to take the strap off until your ready to lift the doors off. I got distracted by my 5 yr old and when I looked back the door was completely opened up and was against the front fender. Luckily the jeep was on very flat ground... So no damage.
It's fun driving without doors... I just need to get a mirror rigged up.
Thanks for all the replies!!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Hey that's a great idea dude:) Can't wait to see my wife's face when she's gonna see me slice these noodles. LOLLL!!!:biggrin:

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Mine were a bit tough to get off, saw a post about putting a 2 x 4 under the door onto the 'door sill' and prying it up. HOWEVER, heed the warnings, and if you use this method, do not attempt it by yourself! Those suckers will fly right off! The leg I put out to stop it from hitting the stones was bruised and battered for a month. But not a scratch on the door though! :hah

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Love the noodle idea. In an effort to try and make it safer and easier I picked up a $10 manual hoist from Princess auto and mounted it to the garage roof. I use it and a shortened pull strap looped thru the open window at the top of the door to raise it up or down. I lower each door onto a small board that has four casters on it and roll them to the side wall of the garage, cover each one with a large furniture pad and bungee each one to the wall to keep them from rolling away from the wall. So far, so good.

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

For mirrors I had a couple old Harley mirors in the garage, worked great.

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Those mirrors look quite nice!! I think you should repost as a new thread about mirror solutions when doors are off though. Thread highjacker alert!! Lol

I tried to use a mirror off my 1987 Honda but the shaft was to thick (I know... "that's what she said!"). Went with the standard Canadian Tire bicycle mirrors which thankfully are a little more stylish now - black and a trapezoidal type shape rather than shiny chrome rounds.

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

I would never put a bicycle part on my Jeep whether it came from Cambodian Tire or anywhere else. You mentioned earlier in this very thread, "... I just need to get a mirror rigged up", Hence the reply in the same thread. No hijacking on my part....

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Sheesh... LOL means I was joking. My suggestion was based more on the fact that I think it would be a good thread. I bet there are a lot of good solutions to the mirror situation!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Just my two cents... Was north at camp and running the pipe line with no doors.... Looks amazing and felt awesome.... Kids loved driving with no doors.... Got back to cabins and cracked open a few beers.... Rain started and I figured I would hurry up and throw doors back on... 1st mistake... Hurry up... 2nd mistake... Beers.... Biggest Mistake... Didn't put doors on 90 Degrees to Jeep... So dinged a little.... BUT... I keep a touch up stick in my glove box... Too many stones flying and I want to make sure no bare metal is exposed.



Second time I took them off... Paid more attention and All was good!

Kids were mad I ruined a noodle... But well worth the tears... Theirs... Not mine!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Watch out putting the doors back on, if the pin on the door hits the hinge too hard it could chip/crack the paint on the hinge. Also once your door has the strap off before you lift it out make sure that it won't swing open towards the front side panel where the side mirror can hit leaving you with some Jeep "dimples"

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Been there did that!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

Me too, and that's why I carry a little bottle of ladies nail polish. Stuff is enamal, hard as nails (pun intended) and the little applicator brush is perfect for doing touchups. Found a bottle from Jordana's "Pop Art" line, #505 Express in Yellow at Dollar Haven, which is an identical match for Detonator Yellow for the unheard of price of $2. Try getting a dealer touch up stick for price!

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

I get the dealer's Solar Yellow touch up paint for $12,
worth the price for me...

Billy

Re: Taking the doors off... Damage likely??
 

I have taken mine of a ton since i got it in August of this year. Just make sure to be careful of where you place them, roll the windows down before you take them off. If your still a little worried ask a buddy or your wife for an extra set of hands