littlecommando

So, i have been looking at half doors for my 1985 4runner, because my dad thinks that driving with no doors isnt safe
But, i cant find anywhere that has what i want, so i came up with my own design

The basic idea came from the jeeps that have the removable windows.
the plastic window would slip in at the bottom, and then zip onto the door frame so you can keep dry when it rains

the problem is that i dont have the resources to make this, so i was hoping someone would see this and start making them

also, please post what you think about this

littlecommando

Bump
anybody know anything about having these made?

yoder519

ive seen some that peopple done there self and to me it looks like you would just cut it to ur likein then weld metal of the top where its been cut so you wont have sharp edges.. then just weld ur arm rest. now dont hold me to it cuz i have no experience don anything like this either.. but its jsut a thought

aviator

A good place to start for your design would be an old door for your truck from a wreck...
use the existing window frame as an attachment point for the vinyl snaps...
cut out the sides of the door to more or less match your design, weld in some metal between the inner and outer skin, and a stiffener across the top like you show, a little bondo, some paint and you're good to go...
You couls even get some practice upholstering as well if you foam/vinyl wrap the arm rest...
it could make an excellent shop project for school...

yoder519

yea what he said! how do you pen the door on half doors with no handle? just a little lever like he had drawn upor what

88wildrunner

that looks like the design marlin has on his 1st gen.

littlecommando

yea, I'm pretty sure that SPSU doesn't have a shop class, and i dont think that anyone would let me use any of there machine shops

grant526

I just built another set of half doors for my truck. I'll try to get some pics up to night when I get home. I kept the top of the door frame with the intention of having some plastic windows made. I just haven't had the time nor money to do so.

littlecommando

Sweet dude, it would be cool if you wrote a tech article once you get the windows made

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

exactly what I was thinking...I think your dad has the right idea about the doors...I have a set of tube doors on my '81..they are great for visibility and that open air feeling but when your cell phone slides across the floor and out the side it sucks yep I know from experience...

I would not take the open down as low as your drawing.

here are some threads to look atL
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f88/...ild-up-110416/
https://www.yotatech.com/forums/f116...ferrerid=12218

this thread has tons of stuff:
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showt...86#post2506986

For your spare hinges--makes like a lot easier I would recommend a set of these:
http://4xinnovations.com/pages/guarding/hingekit.htm

edit: for welding classes try your local community college

ADH8796

Your door design looks a lot like marlins

littlecommando

Wow, i dont think that i have ever seen those before, and i came up with the same idea, i guss great minds think alike?

aviator

Yeah but Marlin did'nt retain the window frame for vinyl panel closure... must be nice to be based in the desert...lol

littlecommando

does he sell them?

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

no...

littlecommando

what kind of door handle does he have on those?

XtraSlow_XtraCab

Have you ever peeked at the linkage setup behind your door panel?

The transfer of energy between handle and latch is just a piece of wire you can manipulate with a pair of pliers. There's two different option you have with this:

1) Cut this wire about 6" from the latch and loop it around. Kinda like a ghetto-rigged latch for a sideyard fence (looped coat hanger idea).

2) Relocate your handle (I'm assuming we're talking interior) to the bottom of the door (like a Datsun 240z if you've ever seen one) or at the rear of the door (a passenger side 4Runner door will have a stock setup for this. It was used for back seat passengers).

dropzone

iTrader: (6)

If you look at the Half door thread I posted you will see several different ways of doing your door latches/handles





This set is one of the nicest I can recall:

hmmwv15

^ you beat me to it!

grant526

Those are SWEET!!!!!!!!!!!! Somebody really spent some time and energy on them.
But I'm not sure I like the cloth at the bottom, I'm thinking clear all the way down, that way I retain most of the added visibility of half-door. And I think they will look that much cleaner too.


Here are a couple shots of mine. Sorry it's taken so long to get them up.





I'm sorry they are so blurry. My buddy couldn't seem to hold the camera still enough. Nearly all the pics he took are funky! lol I believe both of these were taken while heading up Cadillac Hill out of Rubicon Springs after the Marlin Crawler Round Up two weeks ago.