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Well, I did it. For better or worse. It feels about 500 lbs lighter and is fun as hell. Once I figured it out, the second one came off in about 5 minutes. I wonder if it is legal????? ;)
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/back9.JPG
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/mirror.JPG
I tell ya...you crazy Californians. :p
Now it'd also be cool to come up with some sort of tube door(s) to complete the look.
http://www.carolinaclassictrucks.com...a/W45-door.jpg
And incorperate the cladding piece.Quote:
Originally Posted by Y33TREKker
Don't know about Cal laws but perfectly legal in Az. Lots of doorless jeeps in Cal so I would think it is somewhat legal.
I dunno if I would have taken the rear door off, but I was planning to try taking my side doors off to try it out. Plus I gotta fix my drivers door anyway 'cause its tweaked pretty badly.
takes 5 minutes. The electrical are all in 2 plugs down by yout feet behind the interior pannel, then just the pin and 4 bolts. You don't even have to take off the door pannel. It goes back on just as easy.
Sorry dude !
Dunno want to be harsh but the VX is not a jeep.
Anyways have fun out there !
X2 :yesy:Quote:
Originally Posted by Triathlete
I have always wanted to try this.
I think this had something to do with Carmageddon. ;Dy;
Mark
bending the frame. The doors are an intergral piece of the cars structural integrity. I would worry about the frame bending and roof warping to the point the doors arent going to go back on
Ditto on putting the rear door back on, and on needing to add half or tube doors that incorporate the cladding. Seems the easiest thing would be to cut the existing doors - can't imagine you're afraid to do that if you've already sprayed the body. :)
Or just get a jeep :pQuote:
Originally Posted by circmand
I really don't think that the doors do anything structurally for us. The VX is a "body on frame" truck, so like a Jeep everything should stay lined up just fine.
What is a Jeep?
I have a body on frame sports car. When doing restoration the doors needed removed. The restorer made a frame for the door holes for while they were off the car. It.s a delicate designQuote:
Originally Posted by MSHardeman
I could totally see making some braces for the door openings if you were removing the body from the frame (as it would have a tendency to twist without the frame for support) or if you had a convertible because there is no roof line to help keep things in place. Heck, I would completely brace the body internally if I were removing a convertible body from the frame. Don't want it going anywhere.
I think Mark is right on the $$$. "I" don't think the door add much stuctural support if any in the VX's case. If you have had you headliner off or looked into getting a sunroof installed you would see that there are a couple of support beams that run across our roofs incuding one just behind the doors.
I know from a friend who did a frame up restoration of an old British roadster that the components can "relax" while off the frame. He took all of the body panels off prepped and painted everything. When he went to reassemble it nothing fit quite right. It took a lot of effort and finesse to coax it back into place.
Well, the doors are back on, but without the benefit of photoshop, I did a couple of Power Point " Mock-ups" incorporating the cladding. I would have to remove it, but that shouldn's be too bad. THen just back on when summer is over. Maybe someone with PS can do a better job but here are three options I am considering:
Option 1 this one would have some sort of box built into the hollow of the cladding and just take your chances without a spare.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Slide15.JPG
Option 2 swing open gate with full size spare on the back
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Slide22.JPG
Option 3 Small mount at an angle for the spare out the back like all the "bro-mobilles" out here that never get in the dirt but are built to run Baja.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Slide31.JPG
Or nothing at all. just tinkering and sharing.
I like option 2 the most. Those are some pretty decent mock ups for not using photoshop.
Yea, I am thinking that too. Maybe even no tire, but a basket with fuel can brackets and the spare tire on the roof.
So the benefits of going door-less are ? :confused:
Increased mpg with the less weight!
That would probably be negated by the disrupted air flow created.Quote:
Originally Posted by JHarris1385
For off road use...better visibility. Or to be jeep-like!:yesy:
Or...because he wants to and can!:bwgy:
I like Option #3.....:smack:
jo
What is crazy is that when I ran around the block with it you could feel it was much lighter feeling and the air flowed through it as opposed to being a parachute like it is with tha back on and windows down. I wouldn't be suprised if the mileage did increase. I would say each door was around 60 lbs and a bit more for the back door.
And without the rear door, you can actually see behind you. It is nuts!!!
Of course, I plan to put 33" tires on it soon so that will negate the weight at least.
Same here. And you could still incorrprate a fuel can. The angled tire would increase rear visibility.Quote:
Originally Posted by JoFotoz
Another option if someone wants to do the photo chop...
Tube gate angled outward with tire standing upright on one side face front to rear (like the trophy trucks) and a fuel can on the other side (hope my description makes sense).
I was being sarcastic about the mpg...it may or may not effect it, but surely was not the sole benefit that he was looking for!
Jeeps don't shed their doors for mpg. Its for the thrill and the feel of not having a door.
I like option 3 as well
LOLQuote:
Originally Posted by JHarris1385
I agree with MSHardeman, it's on a frame that is supposed to carry structural strength. The doors only mount by two hinges and a lever for the latch to grab onto, I don't see that holding too much strength, and I don't see Isuzu hoping the hinges and door latch keep the body from twisting. But that's just me.
I like the way this looks! If I can get some pipes and a welder I'd go for making some tube doors!
guess I should have read page 2 before posting :laughing:
This is the latest mock-up. I am thinking I will do it in 1 1/4" pipe. Cut and welded with sharp angles instead of bent. This is a poor effort, but as good as powerpoint can do. Not sure on the center door pipe, straight or angled.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Slide_4.jpg
Drivers door center pipe in a triangle maybe.
Quote:
Originally Posted by JHarris1385
Jeeps also have a high Center of Gravity, so any weight up high that can be eliminated increases stability. Not sure how high the VX CG is but it likely has the same effect.
Not digging the latest bar design for the passenger doors... looks like the top bar would be 3-6" below the natural body line from the hood to just under the B-pillar glass. Maybe consider moving it up a bit to make it flow better with the body?
Btw, are you planning on incorporating a mesh surround like the Jeep picture on the first page? That would be sweet and would probably keep things from falling out through the bars as easily.
Nice work so far dude! :thumbup:
I say lower the top bar.
That might work too, it's kind of like painting, you either need to match existing paint exactly or pick a different color altogether. If the bar is too close to the "belt line" let's call it, it doesn't look good. Moving it further away might be a better alternative to going higher.
I think I am getting to something I like. I apreciate the suggestions, It gives me some great ideas. I am thinking a wire mesh attached with screws that is removable as opposed to the screen or fabric.
http://www.hunt101.com/data/500/medium/Slide_6.jpg
Plexi panels to enhance the view?