removing the doors made easy?
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 480
Likes: 3
From: CA
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have made half doors and they are still in the process of paint but as many have discovered, taking the stock doors on and off is not fun. I found the idea somewhere to remove the the pin between the two sides of the hinges to make them more like wrangler doors. has anyone done this and if so, what kind of pin should i use? one welded to the doors or some kind of pin you can remove?
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Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 2,607
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From: Michigan
Year: 1987 MJ, 1973 J2000, 1986 XJ, 08 JK
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0L H.O
here is a much more common way to do so......
easiest done after you've removed the door
your gonna take the Door side hinge..... and cut the Lower part if the "C shape"
take what you just cut and remove it from the clip.. essentially you will pull the end piece from the lower end of the "c" and you will have an open bottom to the door side of the hinge

next you'll need to sand the door pin a little and then also drill the frame/body side of the hinge (where the hinge pin would slide in, to make for easy removal and install...

after that re-bolt the hinges to the door.. leave them a little loose (but still snug) so they can adjust for install....
then install the door at near fully open (so the door is almost at its max travel out)
and adjust the door acordingly for closure
or just do your idea.. except i would still drill out the hinges for a slightly larger bolt and cut the lower end off
easiest done after you've removed the door
your gonna take the Door side hinge..... and cut the Lower part if the "C shape"
take what you just cut and remove it from the clip.. essentially you will pull the end piece from the lower end of the "c" and you will have an open bottom to the door side of the hinge

next you'll need to sand the door pin a little and then also drill the frame/body side of the hinge (where the hinge pin would slide in, to make for easy removal and install...

after that re-bolt the hinges to the door.. leave them a little loose (but still snug) so they can adjust for install....
then install the door at near fully open (so the door is almost at its max travel out)
and adjust the door acordingly for closure
or just do your idea.. except i would still drill out the hinges for a slightly larger bolt and cut the lower end off
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,882
Likes: 0
From: Oxford NC
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
no no. you cut the hinge like said. watch the passengeer side they can be flipped. once cut lift straight up on the door. its going to be a tad hard the first time but it will come out. once out take a flat head skrew driver.. a small one. and stick it in the hinge hole sideways so the tip is just inside the hole.*note* this is on the cab side of the hinge. and take a hammer and tap the lining out. this will make the pins slide in and out easy. becarefull not to break a hinge pin putting them on. because they are a pain to get out. i know it happend. but DO NOT unbolt the doors they will take forever to get lined back up. any questions let me know i can walk you thru this on the phone if nessicary. be careful not to cut the black stoppers that turn the dome light on and off off because i did that aswell haha
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,603
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From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
measure the I.D. of the hole and get a hitch pin thats the same diameter. You can aslo get a long bolt and put it through the hole, and nut the bottom. Bolt on doors!
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CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Ok so I have the same hing as "that jeep guy" & I'd love to do this for next summer, but I don't know what I wanna use for a pin??? The factory pin/hollow tube flared on top & bottom doesn't seem like it will hold up very long, so what kinda pins have u guys used?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,603
Likes: 0
From: Hollidaysburg, PA
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 lt. 242 cu.in.
Ok so I have the same hing as "that jeep guy" & I'd love to do this for next summer, but I don't know what I wanna use for a pin??? The factory pin/hollow tube flared on top & bottom doesn't seem like it will hold up very long, so what kinda pins have u guys used?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 2,199
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From: Britt, MN
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 72
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From: Lincoln, RI
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Not sure if this link will work, http://www.mcmaster.com/#pins/=5kbcfg , but McMaster-Carr has everything you could ever need if your local lowes, like mine, tends to not carry much. (Grainger, Fastenal, and the like would also do fine.)



