austin17

I'm planning on building tube doors for my 96 XJ. I'm going to start with the two front doors and then the rear doors. Any ideas on the best way to make them?

Rogue4x4

With metal?

We'll need a bit more info to help you. What are your fab skills? Do you have all the right tools? Square tube or round tube? Have a tube bender? Welder? Figured out door latches yet?

Help us help you...

91WhiteXJ

Here's mine

Rogue4x4

Did you make those? Link to build pics?

austin17

I plan on using steel circular tubing. I can get a pipe bender and I have access to a welder. I can weld and do most forms of fab and body work. (Learned a lot from helping my dad work on his classic car) I plan on buying/fabricating identical latches to what I have now. I know a scrapyard where I can buy the latches.

austin17

I also have most metal working tools. Grinders, dremels, etc

DBMETALWORX

I use aftermarket latches.

Rogue4x4

Where do you source these from? Just curious.

Rogue4x4

What bender are you using? Please don't say HF...lol


What kind of steel tubing? DOM? HREW? CREW? Poo pipe?

austin17

I honestly don't know what bender or tubing yet. Suggestions?

Rogue4x4

Avoid "budget" or cheap benders (HF) like the plague. They are a waste of time and money IMHO. A JD2 or similar is what I would recommend. They are not inexpensive, I have almost $1500 into mine. It can be had cheaper but I have upgraded parts along the way. As far as steel goes, tube doors aren't structural, so you can use a cheaper alternative than DOM, such as HREW or CREW...if this sounds like gibberish to you, then start researching the fabrication process and materials.

XJNVA

Square tubing, built in a couple hours. Used your typical Home Depot/Tractor Supply gate latch.

And yes, the HF bender sucks, but there are simple methods to make it work and not kink. Built this with one:

DBMETALWORX

I'm currently out of stock, but can ship them to the lower 48 states for $75 with a weld on mounting bracket.

stang65

here is mine simple used some spare mounting plates from stock doors and some gate hinges and some black pipe weather insolaction for padding on the top flat part not in picture. built and installed in a couple hours

Rogue4x4

Not what I was asking, but I get it. Is that $75 for all four doors?