Leaving the Door Bolts Off

[Morganstein]

Back in my Jeep days, I would remove the door bolts in Spring and just leave them off until Fall. Never had any issues when the doors were on without the bolts and taking them off was just that much quicker. Anyone try this on their Bronco yet?

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[kodiakisland]

Misread the first time, doors on with no bolts? Doesn’t sound like a good idea.

 

[GToddC5]

Negative, unless you want the doors to fall off.

 

[Morganstein]

Misread the first time, doors on with no bolts? Doesn’t sound like a good idea.

The other way around. Doors on, bolts out.

 

[usbplug]

I'm not lazy enough to not bother putting the only 2 bolts holding the entire door on lol. I supposed you could, but I feel over time you'd get window/door fitting issues, as I notice before I tighten up the bolts the hinges have gaps until tightened and becomes flush. I'm sure someone is going to try it eventually though and we'll see a "my door fell off and my door is ruined what do I do" post lol.

 

[1970AMCAMX]

I really don't think that would be a good idea, the door is just barely held on by gravity until the bolts are put in. You only need to move them up 3/8 to 1/2 inch to remove them which could easily be accidentally done.

Completely different design than a Jeep hinge. With my old Jeeps the latch would prevent the door from moving up far enough for the door to come off. Probably not the case with the Bronco.

 

[ATLBronco75]

No. The upper bolt must be installed for the door stop detents to work. Otherwise the door hops up about a 1/4" as you swing it past that stop points. It makes an awful noise and will almost certainly cause unwanted wear.

HOWEVER, I bet you could only put in the top bolt if you really need to save 30 seconds. The bottom hinge appears to be purely a pivot.

 

[Dillhole]

The Jeeps and Broncos have a entirely different door hinge setup. Also like you my bolts have been off my Jeep for 10 years with zero issues. Doing the same in a Bronco is just asking for trouble. Very little left to keep the door from falling off without the bolts.

 

[BlueBronco]

While I don't think the doors would accidently fall off the hinge the design is not like the Jeep that have the longer pins to keep them in place.

Also this:

No. The upper bolt must be installed for the door stop detents to work. Otherwise the door hops up about a 1/4" as you swing it past that stop points. It makes an awful noise and will almost certainly cause unwanted wear.

The doors will pop over the stops every time you open them and make that awful noise.

 

[Kygolfer]

Everyone is correct. I have aBronco and Wife has a 2018 Wrangler. He bolts could stay out but I don’t do that. The Bronco bolts have to be not only on but tight or they make a horrible popping sound when the door is opened or closed.

 

[Lilj4425]

Farmers Insurance. We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.

 

[GRPinehurst]

play stupid games, win stupid prizes

 

[MayhemMike]

Farmers Insurance. We know a thing or two because we’ve seen a thing or two.

I look forward each and every day for a post that makes me actually laugh audibly. This is todays post. Well done,well done.

 

[‘21OBX]

The jeeps have a much longer pin engagement setup and don’t have the detent built into the hinge. I’d run without the lower in but at that point it’s 30 seconds to put it in so nope I haven’t. Imo there just is not enough there for me to be confident.

 

[NewBroncoOwner]

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