Oopsie... dropped and dented my door this weekend

[kodiakisland]

Quick question: When you install your Bronco doors, are you standing on the inside of the door (between door and body), or on the outside of the door?

When I remove my doors, which I do frequently, I stand on the inside of the door, and I don’t see any door sheet metal blocking the hinge, because I am positioned between the door and the body. The top hinge has a flange on the rear that partially blocks the keyed upper pin, but no door sheet metal is blocking the hinge.

You would think standing on the inside would be the only way people would do it, since that's where you have to be to replace the bolts. I suppose some may be trying to hold it on the outside and replace blind. Then going around to replace the bolts.

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[kodiakisland]

It is nice having the doors off but he is not wrong. Looks more like an afterthought from Ford with the way the exposed door jams look. Does not look really bad but does not look great either.

I think it looks great.

 

[mike8675309]

Quick question: When you install your Bronco doors, are you standing on the inside of the door (between door and body), or on the outside of the door?

When I remove my doors, which I do frequently, I stand on the inside of the door, and I don’t see any door sheet metal blocking the hinge, because I am positioned between the door and the body. The top hinge has a flange on the rear that partially blocks the keyed upper pin, but no door sheet metal is blocking the hinge.

When I did it I was standing on the outside, because I wasn't sure how wide open I could have it and get it aligned. I suppose standing on the inside might be better. I haven't done it enough to figure out the ideal way to do it.

 

[Karl_in_Chicago]

I take the doors off to freak out the squares.
<much snippage>
I have not even begun to do stupid things with this vehicle.

All good, man, but the first and last lines are pure gold. Keep up the good fight!

 

[kodiakisland]

When I did it I was standing on the outside, because I wasn't sure how wide open I could have it and get it aligned. I suppose standing on the inside might be better. I haven't done it enough to figure out the ideal way to do it.

The same width as to take it off, which for me is wide open. I’d do it from the inside so you can see what you are doing and not have to go anywhere to get that top bolt in quickly.

 

[thatspecialbeat]

All good, man, but the first and last lines are pure gold. Keep up the good fight!

 

[Razorbak86]

When I did it I was standing on the outside, because I wasn't sure how wide open I could have it and get it aligned. I suppose standing on the inside might be better. I haven't done it enough to figure out the ideal way to do it.

Interesting. I re-watched the Bronco Nation video, and they remove and install the doors from the outside, too.

Next time you do it, try it from the inside. It makes it much easier to hold the driver’s side door handle with your left hand reaching over the door while holding the lower part of the door with your right hand. That way, your head will be facing directly into the hinges, which makes them much easier to see and align during door installation.

In fact, this drawing from the Owners Manual shows you exactly what you will see when installing the door from the inside, between the door and body.

 

[kodiakisland]

Interesting. I re-watched the Bronco Nation video, and they remove and install the doors from the outside, too.

Next time you do it, try it from the inside. it makes it much easier to hold the driver’s side door handle with your left hand reaching over the door while holding the lower part of the door with your right hand. That way, you’re head will be facing directly into the hinges, which makes them much easier to see and align during door installation.

In fact, this drawing from the Owners Manual shows you exactly what you will see when installing the door from the inside, between the door and body.

That’s the most counterintuitive way to do it, but I guess now I better understand why people are dropping them. Hold the door from the inside. They even put a handle on it to hold on to. I can't imagine unbolting the door, then walking around to lift it up or trying to put it on blind, and then walking around to put the bolts in. Never even crossed my mind.

 

[Bronco23]

Tell ya what, before I try this, Im going to take a couple pool noodles , cut them long way and attach them to the bottom of the door with green masking tape. Just in case.

 

[rtazz17]

bag wouldnt prevent an impact and dent tho...

I agree,same thing would’ve happened….. Live and learn. Shit happens

 

[rtazz17]

Though I will probably never take my doors off, just had a thought. Heavy closed cell pipe insulation that is split slipped on the bottom wouldn't prevent a heavy drop but would give some protection when taking doors off or installing them.

Pool noodles do the same

 

[M4Madness]

Full length door edge guard with bolts and wrench at the ready.

@Fly2Win

Where did you get the full length door edge guards?

 

[Razorbak86]

That’s the most counterintuitive way to do it, but I guess now I better understand why people are dropping them. Hold the door from the inside. They even put a handle on it to hold on to. I can't imagine unbolting the door, then walking around to lift it up or trying to put it on blind, and then walking around to put the bolts in. Never even crossed my mind.

I just re-watched Ford’s own video on door removal, and although they also rely on door bags, the primary person lifting the door is on the inside between the door and body.

 

[Squishie]

I feel the pain. Did this the first weekend I owed it. But by learning from my mistakes, I will have something to hold the door. Next summer plan to have doors off quite often.

 

[mikeeshim]

I did the dreaded dropped my door this weekend. First time taking them off. Ive had jeeps for years and their hinge design is so much easier. When trying to hang the door I guess I didnt have the top part in and soon as I loosened my grip on the handle it felt to the driveway. I had to hammer it out just to close the door.

Ive seen several others do the same thing and wondering what the outcome was for repair. Was it able to fixed or did the door have to be replaced? Im going to get estimates today and curious what to expect.

The 2D door is much heavier and longer, and really requires 2 people to do. Can't tell from your images which body you have, but it's painful to see nonetheless. I had help taking on and putting on, and even with help, I slid the bags on first to have a better grip of the door. The OEM door bags are really helpful because of the extra handles and grab points. I highly recommend those for anyone that does this often.

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