It’s crazy to think that riding motorcycles is legal, but running doorless is not. (Not suggesting making motocycles illegal would be sane)
Half door options, pros and cons
- Thread starter gg1
- Start date
There are too many auto laws in my opinion, Why the hell does the government give a crap anyway? Just curious I don't believe the cj2a came with doors at all. I mean I think you could buy them as options, but I don't think they were standard. Are they illegal too, or is there some kind of grandfather clause? I think that is also true with 60's cjs. I think you had an option for a soft top, but if you didn't buy one, I don't think it came with any doors either. I know my step dad had a 60's cj he bought brand new, and I don't think he ever had a top or doors for it. I remember he used to talk about when you bought a cj in the 60's it came with virtually nothing and you ordered everything. I know his never came with a back seat for sure. I guess that doesn't help because the wranglers all came with doors, but maybe you can replace your TJ body with a cj2a body haha.
Living in Pennsylvania my whole life it’s been my observation that while these kinds of laws are “on the books” they’re rarely enforced as standalone offenses, I see doorless Wranglers on the road every day when the weather is nice driving right on by the police without issue, do it myself from time to time when the mood strikes. By the way the PA Code also says your tires can’t stick out beyond the fenders or flares yet I see not only Jeeps but monster trucks of all variety on a daily basis with tires sticking out well beyond sitting side by side in traffic with the police without issue…
Consult the vehicle code of any state & you may be surprised over some of the things you can be ‘pulled over’ for; having practiced a goodly amount of criminal defense earlier in my career the overwhelming majority of people cited with the quirkier side of violations were people ultimately charged with far more serious offenses, so for example the ‘flare violation’ might be used to form the basis of probable cause to pull someone over for what they’re really looking for which is (fill in the blank, a drunk driver, drugs, dead body in the trunk…). I can’t tell you how many people I’ve represented for drug & other offenses that were initially pulled over for having a taillight out. That said there are some townships across PA that are notorious for breaking balls over these kinds of things so it’s wise to know where you fall on that spectrum.
To the OP, as a practical matter, the Besttop soft half doors at around $200 are a good compromise, while they may technically still be in violation of the code they create the illusion that there are doors so you’re not really likely to warrant anyone’s attention – ever see a doorless Wrangler drive by there’s no doubt it’s doorless, see one with Besttops on & the average person is likely to assume they’re ‘doors’
Consult the vehicle code of any state & you may be surprised over some of the things you can be ‘pulled over’ for; having practiced a goodly amount of criminal defense earlier in my career the overwhelming majority of people cited with the quirkier side of violations were people ultimately charged with far more serious offenses, so for example the ‘flare violation’ might be used to form the basis of probable cause to pull someone over for what they’re really looking for which is (fill in the blank, a drunk driver, drugs, dead body in the trunk…). I can’t tell you how many people I’ve represented for drug & other offenses that were initially pulled over for having a taillight out. That said there are some townships across PA that are notorious for breaking balls over these kinds of things so it’s wise to know where you fall on that spectrum.
To the OP, as a practical matter, the Besttop soft half doors at around $200 are a good compromise, while they may technically still be in violation of the code they create the illusion that there are doors so you’re not really likely to warrant anyone’s attention – ever see a doorless Wrangler drive by there’s no doubt it’s doorless, see one with Besttops on & the average person is likely to assume they’re ‘doors’
:meparto: Kinda feel the same way. The thing is loud enough with the shade let alone taking off the doors as well. On the trail I can definitely see the appeal. Droning down the hwy for 2+ hours, not so much. I'd love some half doors for sure.
C.J. Roberts
TJ Addict
I think the no roof still requires doors, just that they need not open (are they really doors at that point?).
I think the intent of the law is likely the perceived safety issues running without doors. I'd be curious to see if Jeep crash tested the wranglers without doors, and if so what those results were.
I am guessing that the law is to limit modifications that would effect the safety or structural integrity of the vehicle. If you read through the rest of the code, this seems to be a common theme.
I think the intent of the law is likely the perceived safety issues running without doors. I'd be curious to see if Jeep crash tested the wranglers without doors, and if so what those results were.
I am guessing that the law is to limit modifications that would effect the safety or structural integrity of the vehicle. If you read through the rest of the code, this seems to be a common theme.
kt99tj
Member
@gg1 I run door less most of the summer. I an located about 100 miles north of Pittsburgh, and have driven to south hills of Pgh many times with no doors. Never had an issue. Even drove past a local here last weekend with windshield down, not an issue. I do have half doors and full doors. Half doors are great and being able to keep uppers with you in case of rain is a plus.
TJ2
TJ Expert
I use my half door more than driving doorless because everyone can drive doorless, but I think only few of us can have half doors.
TJ2
TJ Expert
Thanks. I actually forgot about that site. Not sure what I am going to do yet. I think I better take the doors off for a ride or two. Maybe if the weather isn't crap tomorrow I will just do it then.
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.
Valid point. I could just run doorless for my ride to work and see how I feel about it. Maybe a used cloth set with uppers that I could thrown in the back would be the way to go, then if it rains, I am ready for it. My trip is about 70 miles away, so I would like to be somewhat prepared. I don't have a lot of space either.
Damn $100. With handles and all? I would do that if I could find a set that cheap.
Here is a set of Patriot blues with the interior I would like slate. It is the set that I was going to paint and listing for $800. I can drive over to Davey's from here.
http://www.daveysjeeps.com/images/Parts/PBT.gif
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