How to Remove Jeep Doors Safely for Summer Driving

In our past few blogs we’ve mentioned a couple of different times that you’re able to remove the doors from some Jeep models. This is an awesome, unique feature that’s found exclusively in both the Jeep Wrangler SUV and Jeep Gladiator pickup truck. But as the temperature continues to climb and summer driving draws closer and closer, you might be wondering how exactly to do it. That’s why we’ve put together this handy little guide to help teach you exactly how to remove Jeep doors safely for summer driving.

The first step is to make sure you’re properly prepared, which starts by making sure you’re safely parked. You want to remove your doors on a completely flat, level surface with the parking brake engaged and the engine off. Next, you want to roll the windows completely down to protect the glass, as this will prevent shattering or any unnecessary stress throughout the rest of the process. And lastly, you need to locate your Jeep Tool Kit, which should be stored in your rear cargo area unless you moved it somewhere. You’ll need both the T50 and T40 Torx head drivers, specifically.

Now we’re going to get into the actual process of removal, which will require the T50 Torx head driver. Head to your first door and locate the silver hinge pin screws on the upper and lower outside hinges of the door. Carefully unscrew them using your driver and then store the screws immediately in the dedicated storage tray, located under the rear cargo floor, to prevent losing them. Then repeat this step for each additional door.

The next step requires you to unplug the electronics that make things like your power windows, locks, and mirrors work. You’ll want to find and open the access panel located in the interior footwell by each door — or the interior pillar for applicable rear doors. Inside you’ll see a fabric limit strap, which you’ll want to unclip from its interior hook. Next, push the red locking tab on the wiring harness upward, press down on the security tab, and lift the harness lever up. Pull the harness straight down to disconnect the electronics safely. Lastly, make sure to tuck the detached harness into the lower door basket to protect the loose wiring.

The fourth step will see you use the T40 Torx head driver. You should see a metal bar on each door that physically prevents it from swinging too wide — this is called the door check arm. You can use the T40 to remove the check screw attaching this arm to the vehicle’s body frame, but be careful! You’ll want to hold the door steady during this step so it doesn’t swing freely out of control once the check is removed.

Now the fifth and final step will see you actually remove each door. Start by opening a door 90 degrees, grip it securely from the bottom and frame, and lift straight upward. Once again, you’ll want to be extremely careful on this step. The doors are heavier than you might think, so having someone assist you is a great idea. The last thing you want to do as you’re preparing for some fun in the sun is to ruin your plans by accidentally damaging one of your doors.