Any structural concerns with removing doors??

[MustangO4]

I know chopping off the roof opens a whole host of structural problems and that doors on some vehicles provide some of the structure. The question is, does anyone know of any issues on the VX (aside from no mirrors) with removing the doors, front and rear, for a trip to the desert.

[don moore]

Mustang...what are you doing...?????

[Triathlete]

does anyone know of any issues on the VX (aside from no mirrors) with removing the doors, front and rear, for a trip to the desert.

Biggest issue is its going to be HOT AS HELL since the AC will be pretty much unaffective!

[Osteomata]

Yes, structurally, you can fall out, after which you will meet another structure, the pavement. This might interfere with your personal structure.

- Os

[crotchrocket]

i don't think the doors act as strengthening

[WormGod]

Biggest issue is its going to be HOT AS HELL since the AC will be pretty much unaffective!

+1

Heh, true that! Just imagine how hot you will be without doors.... I mean, how are you gonna be able to put your wondows down then?

If you are going for the "cool looking" Mad Max factor, i would Photoshop it. I think you will be far more miserable without doors, let alone, the dirtiest interior and ever. Imagine all the sand and dirt you will get in your dash and such!

[MustangO4]

Mustang...what are you doing...?????

I'm bored, I live in San Diego and the WX is great, I leave for Iraq again in June so I'll miss it being really hot, I REALLY want to chop the top off, but aside from all of the structural issues, it would make the car very impractical.

Basically I like the idea of driving it open, and dropping the doors for a couple of days is easily reversable.

[tom4bren]

There are some fairly major tubes behind the cladding. I assume that they are there for side impact protection only but they could be structural.

[MSHardeman]

I would think that since the VX is basically a body on a frame that the doors wouldn't offer that much structural stability. Heck, you may even be able to chop the top off without many issues. May need to beef the frame up a little bit, but that might be it.

Did anyone get a picture of the underside of the VX02?

A lot of the Rodeo and Trooper guys who are highly modified run without doors in Moab.

[MustangO4]

Good point on troopers etc running w/o doors. As for most of the other concerns, dirt etc, my VX is dirty, I play hard with it, tweak on it and have every intention of keeping it as a toy forever. Even primo VXs are only getting about 10k so playing around with a "cheap" car sounds just fine to me. Did I mention I repainted it flat black....then tan....then black again.....myself......with rustolium......for about $14-20 each time? Dust in the dash is the least of my concerns
Now:

[Gussie2000]

Yes, structurally, you can fall out, after which you will meet another structure, the pavement. This might interfere with your personal structure.

- Os

You forgot to mention that all this structure issues would also lead to loss financially structure too

[Marlin]

Good point on troopers etc running w/o doors. As for most of the other concerns, dirt etc, my VX is dirty, I play hard with it, tweak on it and have every intention of keeping it as a toy forever. Even primo VXs are only getting about 10k so playing around with a "cheap" car sounds just fine to me. Did I mention I repainted it flat black....then tan....then black again.....myself......with rustolium......for about $14-20 each time? Dust in the dash is the least of my concerns

I agree, its not a 40K SUV anymore. Jeeps run without doors, but you would lose side impact protection...
As far as inside, I would love to see the carpet removed, rhino line the whole inside and put floor drains like a jeep. That would be sweet!!!! Maybe even fab some zippered doors from the bottom half of Vx doors up. I have a lead on a Vx, but it being all the way across country is useless. I know of an abandoned ebony, either 99 or 00 with about 116K on it. Doesn't run, cracked block, but comsetically sound. I have been workin on it for some time. The dealership has a request in for a mechanic's lean. The dealership is now being run by the bank for their bankruptcy, so that Vx may disappear to my garage soon. I will let everyone know, I will have lots of parts to let go. Its where I got my extra rear door interior cover for my gas can mod and my roof crossbars.

[samneil2000]

All three of those doors are really heavy as far as doors go, so the VX might actually thank you for dropping the weight off.

[MustangO4]

I also have a lead on a rollover out west. It has a motor but no trans, t-case or rear diff. Pictures are being sent to me. Might be a good donor for a 2WD topless roadster.

[Chopper]

Did I mention I repainted it flat black....then tan....then black again.....myself......with rustolium......for about $14-20 each time? Dust in the dash is the least of my concerns Brilliant!!!!