Jeep Cherokee Forum

Jeep Cherokee 1984-1996: How to Remove Doors

Have you wondered how people manage to remove the door on their XJ? Wonder no further; here is how to easily remove the doors on your Jeep Cherokee XJ.

By Neftali Medina - August 28, 2015
Contributors: HeavyMetalXJ

This article applies to the Jeep Cherokee (1984-1996).

The CJ-7 became the poster boy of Jeep since its introduction in the early 1940s. It showcased what an off-road vehicle is supposed to look like, usually comprised of a grille, winch, big tires and no doors. The XJ series may have utilized a different chassis, but it still manages to retain its roots, making it easy to mend into an off-road vehicle. The XJ mixes some conventional features without losing its rugged attraction. One of the most requested modification procedures is how to remove the doors. Although there are hinge kits that can be installed, why spend $50+ on labor when you can do it for free? Just use the following instructions listed here to learn how you can easily remove and reinstall the doors on an XJ.

Materials Needed

  • Rotary tool
  • Reinforced cutting wheels
  • 5/16" Punch
  • Hammer
  • Vice

Step 1 – Open the door and begin cutting the hinge

Take your rotary tool and begin slicing the lower portion of the door hinge. Be careful as to not cut the helping pin for the door hinge.

  • Remove the kick panel.
  • Locate all the wiring, strip them and connect some quick connectors on each wire end.
Figure 1. Cut the lower portion of the hinge.

Pro Tip

For those of you interested in front speakers without the doors, look at installing kicker panel speakers.

Step 2 – Remove the door hold pin and lower hinge piece

  • Take the hammer and punch, and remove the pin of the hinge that you cut. It should take a few whacks to come off.
  • Once finished, you should see the door hold pin.
  • Take the 5/16" punch and tap the pin out.
  • Cut off the lower half of the hinge.
  • Figure 2. Door hold pin removed.
  • Figure 3. Remove the lower half of the hinge.

Step 3 – Hammer out the door pin

With the lower portion of the door hinge removed, hammer out the door pin. Depending on how long the door has been mounted, you may need to spray some lubricating oil to help loosen the door pin.

When you want to reinstall your doors, simply slide them onto the hinges. Because you never removed the hinge assembly from its mounting location, all you have to do is slide the pin back into place and close the door; no alignment needed. You can repeat this process for all four doors on your XJ.

  • Figure 4. Door removed.
  • Figure 5. Hinge located on the chassis of the Jeep.

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