Half door options, pros and cons

[gg1]

So I was hoping to run doorless, but my state has some odd laws that I can't seem to really figure out. I have heard some people have gotten a ticket for no doors and I don't want to deal with that, so half doors are on my mind. Here are some options that I am looking at. Any other ideas? Maybe cheaper ideas. lol

1. used half doors for $800 with correct interior, but need to be painted. Then need uppers! Ugh
2. bestop doors at $220 plus uppers at $350. Geez
3. Tube doors. Not sure of price yet. Jeep interior might get wet, which I am not thrilled about.

Other ideas? I have slate interior and if going stock look, probably would want correct interior look.

 

[lowranger]

So I was hoping to run doorless, but my state has some odd laws that I can't seem to really figure out. I have heard some people have gotten a ticket for no doors and I don't want to deal with that, so half doors are on my mind. Here are some options that I am looking at. Any other ideas? Maybe cheaper ideas. lol

1. used half doors for $800 with correct interior, but need to be painted. Then need uppers! Ugh
2. bestop doors at $220 plus uppers at $350. Geez
3. Tube doors. Not sure of price yet. Jeep interior might get wet, which I am not thrilled about.

Other ideas? I have slate interior and if going stock look, probably would want correct interior look.

Why do you need uppers? If you were going to run "no doors" you don't have uppers. Aren't you just doing the half doors to stay legal instead of no doors?

 

[cliffish]

$800 for factory half doors, no uppers, that still need to be painted seems high. If you were going to run no doors I would get the tube doors as they are the closet to it. I prefer the factory half doors...so much so that I did not even consider buying a TJ that did not come with them. It is also a secondary vehicle though. If it was my primary, I would get one with both tops and both doors. If weather is a main concern then the soft doors and uppers are the way to go...although I understand the sticker shock on those.

 

[jjvw]

My BesTop soft doors came from Craigslist. I keep the uppers in back in case I need them.

Hard lowers would be nice, but not for what they cost.

 

[RussTJ]

Keep an eye on Craigslist for a better priced set of half doors. You may even find them in your color. Remember that you're facing the prime weather pricing for these things. You might find something if you wait a bit. Of course, that's easier said than done.

 

[alittleoff]

About 10 years ago, my Wife bought the Bestop soft half doors, the kind without the brackets for soft uppers from an Ebay seller. In used but good condition for $75. Metal frame, black vinyl skin and a paddle handle. But yeah, factory half doors, oh my...

 

[JMT]

I’d go for tube doors. If it’s going to rain just put your full doors back on.

Edit: Actually, I changed my mind. I’d find a policeman and ask him what the law is because it sounds ambiguous.

 

[jjvw]

Clarifying the local law might be a good idea. The Wrangler came from the factory with the ability to remove the doors. It is an OEM option.

 

[basic]

Law you are referring to that's causing the issue -Title 67, chapter 175.77, section F
https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter175/chap175toc.html#175.77.

(f) Doors. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with doors of a type used as original equipment. The doors shall open and close securely unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side. Tailgates, except on vehicles where the tailgate gives access to the passenger compartment, may be replaced with wood planking, nets or other material that will prevent loss of load. Tailgates may be removed when optional equipment, for example a truck camper, is added.
​

To me, that sounds a lot like you could only use hard factory doors (either half or full) but not tube doors or aftermarket soft half doors. The fact that the doors coming off is a factory feature doesn't really matter. Some arguments may be able to be made for aftermarket hard half doors (are they off a type used as original equipment?) but I can see how tube doors, no doors, and soft doors may be a no go.

Even asking a police officer may not be enough, because one may say it's okay but another may not. Safest way is to find factory half doors.

 

[gg1]

Why do you need uppers? If you were going to run "no doors" you don't have uppers. Aren't you just doing the half doors to stay legal instead of no doors?

Well if it starts raining uppers would be nice to have laying there in the back and throw on. There is a set kind of rough bestop cloth half doors near me for $50 with no handles. Have to look into how much handles cost, but that is pretty cheap, I guess. Wonder if bestop makes replacement skin?

 

[gg1]

Law you are referring to that's causing the issue -Title 67, chapter 175.77, section F
https://www.pacode.com/secure/data/067/chapter175/chap175toc.html#175.77.

(f) Doors. A vehicle specified under this subchapter shall be equipped with doors of a type used as original equipment. The doors shall open and close securely unless the vehicle has been manufactured or modified to the extent that there is no roof or side. Tailgates, except on vehicles where the tailgate gives access to the passenger compartment, may be replaced with wood planking, nets or other material that will prevent loss of load. Tailgates may be removed when optional equipment, for example a truck camper, is added.
​

To me, that sounds a lot like you could only use hard factory doors (either half or full) but not tube doors or aftermarket soft half doors. The fact that the doors coming off is a factory feature doesn't really matter. Some arguments may be able to be made for aftermarket hard half doors (are they off a type used as original equipment?) but I can see how tube doors, no doors, and soft doors may be a no go.

Even asking a police officer may not be enough, because one may say it's okay but another may not. Safest way is to find factory half doors.

Yep, that is it. I don't think they would go nuts over any door on there, but no door you might have to deal with some cops that just want to get you. I don't think any city cop would care as they don't pull people over around here unless you really do something very wrong.

Not sure what I am going to do on this yet. I don't want to deal with the law if I don't have to. I really wanted to run no doors, but maybe it just isn't in the cards. Damn 1/2 doors sure are pricy. Probably cheap to paint though. I am guessing between $75-$100 a side if I prep.

 

[JDS123]

Running tube doors is illegal in PA as well. The only legal door scenario in PA is stock full doors or stock half doors. Honestly, don't worry about the laws. The probability you get pulled over is low and the amount of money spent on half doors is going to be much higher than the ticket you receive for no doors.

 

[cliffish]

I agree, the only way a cop is going to issue a ticket for that is if you did something really dumb to piss him/her off.

 

[Starrs]

I used to be on the halfdoor bandwagon, but why on earth would somebody spend 800 plus bucks on another set of doors that still does not give you the open air driving feeling? Half doors are what 3-4” shorter than full doors? I don’t need 2 sets of doors haha I have enough trouble finding space to store my full doors when I take them off. I used to want tube doors too, but completely doorless can’t be beat. Put the money towards something else for the jeep...as long as it is legal in your state to do so of course .

 

[bobthetj03]

I picked up soft doors with soft uppers for $100. The deals are out there. I personally don't go with no doors very often, except when on a technical trail. I like the added view when climbing obstacles.

 

[jjvw]

X2. I'm too delicate to go full doorless on the highway for too long. I need at least half a door. On the trail, then I prefer no doors.

 

[bobthetj03]

Lol! @jjvw , "The delicate flower"!

 

[ac_]

I feel fortunate living on Arizona. Although it is too hot to run doorless in the summer I do it throughout most of the year. If I did move to PA I would probably still do it and claim ignorance the first time, then I would move back to AZ haha. That law sucks, you should try and get that pulled off of the books. Do you have a local Jeep club that can actually re-define or fight that law? Or if you don't care about the law and just asking about different half doors, I found some in AZ the same color as my Jeep for $500. I didn't need them so I didn't buy them, but seems like 800 is high if you still have to paint. But maybe your standard of living up there is higher than it is here. But I don't think anybody would be able to sell used half doors for 800 here.

I would keep looking if you are stuck on lower stock hard doors in my opinion.

 

[cjaama]

As it happens that I was just doing a search for some used half doors through the junkyard database and wishing I lived in your area so I could just go pick some up instead of paying to ship them. For whatever reason that part of PA is full of junkyards and you can get doors in most colors for A LOT less than $800.

http://car-part.com/

Start calling around.

 

[JDS123]

I feel fortunate living on Arizona. Although it is too hot to run doorless in the summer I do it throughout most of the year. If I did move to PA I would probably still do it and claim ignorance the first time, then I would move back to AZ haha. That law sucks, you should try and get that pulled off of the books. Do you have a local Jeep club that can actually re-define or fight that law? Or if you don't care about the law and just asking about different half doors, I found some in AZ the same color as my Jeep for $500. I didn't need them so I didn't buy them, but seems like 800 is high if you still have to paint. But maybe your standard of living up there is higher than it is here. But I don't think anybody would be able to sell used half doors for 800 here.

I would keep looking if you are stuck on lower stock hard doors in my opinion.

People are trying to fight it, but it really isn't on the radar because its a small issue in terms of the amount of the population it affects.

https://www.change.org/p/kurt-masse...969&l=32_HTML&u=61272092&mid=7233052&jb=14279