How to Store Jeep Doors: Tips for Easy Removal and Storage

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How to Store Jeep Doors

Jeeps are a lot of fun to drive. They handle well in just about any condition, such as snow or in mud. Jeeps are well-manufactured and are built to last; you just have to take good care of them. Riding around in a Jeep in the nice weather is better than having a convertible. By taking off the doors, you can enjoy the breeze and the open air. There is nothing better than the feeling of freedom driving down the road in a Jeep.

When taking off the doors, it is important to store them properly, so that there is no damage, denting or scratching. This can, of course, make putting them on a huge headache. Here are some ways you can store Jeep doors safely to avoid the hassle.

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On a Blanket

This might be one of the most simple ways to store Jeep doors. If you have garage space or shed where not too many people walk by on a daily basis, you can simply lay the Jeep doors on a bath mat or thick blanket. Depending on the amount of space that is available, they can be propped up against a wall or laid down flat. Of course, the less space you have, the more likely you’ll lean them up against the wall. The benefit of being able to lay them down is there is no chance they will fall and get damaged. If storing your doors in this way, you might consider covering them up with a blanket or large towel in order to keep them dust-free. This will make the process of putting them back on much easier.

Pros – The pros of storing your doors this way is that it is easy to do and only requires the use of an old blanket or sheet you can probably find lying around the house. It is inexpensive and doesn’t require any other equipment.

Cons – If there is not a lot of extra space in your garage or shed, storing your Jeep’s doors in this way can take up even more space. If you have young children running around your house, it is also a bit more dangerous to just leave them leaning up against a wall as opposed to hanging them out of the way.

Build a Door Rack

If you aren’t sure about leaving them on the ground on a blanket or don’t want to hang them up, you can build a door rack. It is very easy to build and doesn’t have to be too expensive.

What you’ll need for a 4-door rack:

  • 4 PVC pipes 10 foot by 1 inch,
  • 6 insulators measuring 1 inch
  • 14 PVC elbows measuring 1 inch
  • 10 PVC TEEs measuring 1 inch

When you have all the pieces you need, you can follow the directions to make your rack. Find a safe and secure place to store the rack once it is built, and this will make storing your doors super easy.

Pros – By building a rack for the doors, you will neither have to hang them up or store them on the floor. The rack can also be moved to different places if you want to store the doors in your basement for the summer or if you just need a place to put them while you work on the Jeep in your driveway.

Cons – Building a rack will cost you a little bit of money (about $35 or £26) and it might take you some time to put it all together. In addition, you will need to cut the pipes or have someone do it for you. In the end, it is worth it!

Hang Them Up

If you have the wall space in a garage, shed, or basement, hanging up the doors might be the best option. It will keep them out of the way, especially if you or your family are often walking through the space you decide to store them. Storing them out of the way in a basement or shed is probably going to be your best bet. Depending on how easy it is to access your basement, you just need to think about how often you will be putting them back on and taking them off again. Storing them out of the way might be a great idea if you plan to keep them off for a couple of months while the weather is nice. If you put them on and take them off more than once or twice a week, storing them somewhere that is more easily accessible, like a garage or shed, is a better bet.  

Pros – Hanging up Jeep doors can help to keep them safe and out of the way. The hooks are also usually pretty easy to mount and won’t cost a lot of money, especially if you have tools and extra pieces of wood hanging around.

Cons – There is always a slight chance the hooks won’t hold up and your doors could get damaged. This isn’t too likely, if you choose the right hooks, though. Also, hanging up the doors only allows you to store them in one place, whereas laying them on a blanket or building a rack allows you to store them anywhere you have room.

Finding the Right Hooks

Depending on the type of Jeep you have and whether the type of Jeep owned is a 2-door or 4-door, the doors weigh about 40 – 80 pounds (about 18 – 36 kilograms). If you know the specific weights of your doors before storing them, this can be important information to have when it comes to finding the right hooks. Most hooks will have a weight limit, so pay close attention to this. For doors that are about 80 pounds each (36 kilograms) be sure the hooks can hold about 100 pounds (45 kilograms). It is better to plan for more weight than not enough. Many hardware stores will also be able to guide you about what hooks can be used for storing heavy items.

When visiting the hardware store, find hooks that are long enough to hold the doors. You can also look for ones that  turn up, so you don’t have to worry about them sliding off. Remember they will probably not be able to rest directly up against the wall because of all the interior door parts. Find hooks that come out at least 9 inches, so there is no chance they will slide off.

Another important factor to consider when hanging the doors is your own strength and whether or not you will have someone help you hang them. It is not impossible with just one person, but will be much easier with two, especially if you have to put them up pretty high in your storage area.

Mounting the Hooks

When mounting hooks on a garage or shed wall, there are some steps you can take to make sure they are really secure. It is likely you will not want to just fasten the hooks to the wall because they will need more reinforcement. It is also advisable to do a little research on the kind of material that makes up your wall. Hanging up hooks on concrete walls is going to be very different than if you can mount them into wood or a retaining wall. It may be a good idea to find a piece of wood to mount the hooks on and then mount the wood onto the wall. This can give it some extra security, so they are less likely to fall.

As you can see, there is a lot to consider when figuring out the best way to store your Jeep doors. You need to take into consideration the space available in your home, how much you are willing to spend, and which method will keep your doors the safest.