Doors or No Doors: How to Enjoy Your Jeep's Ride
If you own a Jeep, you might consider taking the doors off. If you remember the old-school Willys from the 1950s, you know that Jeeps without doors are an indisputable part of American history. But there are plenty of things to think about before you decide to remove the doors from your Jeep. You need to make sure your Jeep still complies with the law and that you’re keeping yourself and all other passengers safe from harm.
Learn everything you need to know about driving your Jeep with or without doors.
Pros and Cons of Driving with Doors
Your factory Jeep comes with doors attached, so driving with doors means you don’t have to remove them, which saves you time and energy. You’ll also have more peace of mind as you drive around. The doors are typically your first line of defense in the event of a collision. You won’t have to worry about getting wet if it starts to rain. You’ll also have more room for storage.
One of the downsides of driving around with doors is that there’s more of a barrier between you and the outdoors. If you own one of our Jeep lift kits, you probably know the joys of taking your Jeep off road. But driving through the wilderness with doors can feel somewhat limiting.
Pros and Cons of Driving Without Doors
If you love being as close to nature as possible, driving your Jeep without doors may be impossible to resist. With one of these Jeep Wrangler lift kits, you can cruise around all kinds of environments with nothing between you and the natural world. You’ll feel like you’re on a safari with the wind in your hair and the ground at your feet.
But driving without doors isn’t without its responsibilities. You’ll need to drive with caution if you go without doors on your next expedition, whether it’s on or off road. You’ll also have to consider the weather when you’re driving around. Weather can change in a quick minute, so check the weather forecast just to be safe.
Complying with the Law
You also have to consider your state’s specific driving laws before deciding whether to take the doors off your Jeep. Some states prohibit driving around without doors, while others require simple workarounds.
States are mainly concerned about visibility. If the side-view mirrors are attached to your doors, you may need to reattach them to your Jeep to increase your visibility. Otherwise, changing lanes and reversing can be a challenge. Some states require reattaching both side-view mirrors, while others require just two mirrors without specifying which kind or where they should be placed. These laws vary from state to state, so you’ll need to do your research.
States that require just one mirror include:
- Alabama
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Wisconsin
States that require two mirrors include:
- Arizona
- California
- Colorado
- New Hampshire
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- Washington
States with additional mirror laws include:
- Kansas: Requires rearview and left-side-view mirrors
- Kentucky: Requires an interior rearview mirror and left-side-view mirror
- Maryland: Requires a mirror on the left side-view and an interior rearview mirror
- Michigan: Requires mirrors for vehicles above a certain size
- Missouri: Requires zero mirrors for cars manufactured before 1968 and all factory-installed mirrors for cars made after 1968
- Nevada: Requires mirrors for vehicles above a specific size
- New Jersey: Vehicle requirements vary by the vehicle’s age
- New York: Requires a left side-view mirror and an interior rearview mirror
- Ohio: Requires only a rearview mirror
- Pennsylvania: Requires doors be attached
- Vermont: Requires one mirror of at least a certain size
- Virginia: Requires two mirrors for vehicles of a certain age
- Wyoming: Requires two mirrors depending on the vehicle’s age
Removing your doors for the ultimate adventure will vary from model to model along with state to state. If you need professional assistance always seek out your local Jeep shop for advice and any aftermarket accessories that will help you on your next adventure.
Doors or No Doors
Driving without doors can help you make the most of your next off-road adventure, but it’s not for everyone. Regardless of how you like to drive your Jeep, be safe and have fun.