Jeep Files Patent for Convertible Doors for Wranglers and Gladiators

[SpeedNeed]

”According to the patent, the high visibility off-road frame door is located on the exterior. Meanwhile, the full-sized door panel is connected to the frame’s interior.”


https://www.musclecarsandtrucks.com/jeep-wrangler-gladiator-convergtible-door-patent-uspto/

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[onewhippedpuppy]

Interesting concept, but I’m not sure I see how this is easier than just swapping doors?

 

[sharpsicle]

Interesting concept, but I’m not sure I see how this is easier than just swapping doors?

I agree. Seems like a lot more work than just swapping the doors out on the hinge pins.

Not to mention, I've found the hinge pins being a great way to store my doors when removed using the ORC system or similar setups. To lose those pins would suck.

Cool concept, but I don't see it reaching production. I would also have concerns over how this "separating" door would fare in safety tests.

 

[Ogre_FL]

I agree. Seems like a lot more work than just swapping the doors out on the hinge pins.

Not to mention, I've found the hinge pins being a great way to store my doors when removed using the ORC system or similar setups. To lose those pins would suck.

Cool concept, but I don't see it reaching production. I would also have concerns over how this "separating" door would fare in safety tests.

I have been trying to figure these out.
I am guessing that the the inner door detaches from the exo-skeleton frame.
If the hinge is attached and most wiring runs to the exo-skeleton frame (has the mirrors and door locks?) than this could be easier.

Yea, if you are a door pin storage type, it would not work or require something added.
I use the window frame type hangers, so it is no difference on that side for me.

How the inner door is made up is the question.
Is it an electrical or mechanical connection from the inner door to the exo-frame for the inner door handle?
Assuming power locks/mirrors, does that move to the console areas?
Assuming power windows, that would be the only wiring that needs to go to the inner door.

 

[RickF]

What's "convertible" about these doors? To use them in "tube mode," you still have to remove and store the inner (full) doors somewhere. The only step saved is the relatively easy one of attaching the tube doors. I don't get it.

 

[@californiajeeping]

What's "convertible" about these doors? To use them in "tube mode," you still have to remove and store the inner (full) doors somewhere. The only step saved is the relatively easy one of attaching the tube doors. I don't get it.

They most likely will be lighter and it would keep mirrors when the doors are off vs now no mirrors and thats supposedly a bronco selling point.

 

[ALVagabond]

Hard pass.

 

[Motoarch]

Lots of people dismissing this idea and we haven't even seen how it actually works and looks yet.

But that seems to be the the way it is around here.

Its like the meme of grampa Simpson yelling at clouds everytime I visit this forum.

 

[BLK HOLE]

Those type of doors suck. Just like all half doors. Give me no doors or full doors.

 

[Artsifrtsi]

These appear to be way over-engineered. It indeed appears that the skeleton stays on the vehicle, and the door panel attaches to that somehow. These do not appear that they would look or work well... probably Jeep needing to satisfy some safety regulation...

 

[Gusman2424]

I appreciate the technology... but no thanks....

I currently have a 2019 Mojave with dual tops and full doors. Love the soft top and will probably never install the hard top even here in New England... unless it gets significantly louder in the winter. I bought the truck this summer and have yet to drive it in the winter.

Full doors suck to remove and store... even worse trying to reinstall them... way too heavy. My first two wranglers (87 and 97 two doors) came with half doors and canvas tops. Loved them. 2009 wrangler two door with dual tops and full doors was fine... but again... never took the hard doors off and storing the hard top sucked.

Just give me the option of half doors and quality soft top uppers as a base option and not part of some stupid dual door group. I'd assume that a base half soor/canvas upper option would be (or should be) much cheaper than buying full size doors with all the electronic windows/locks etc.

Oh... and how much do you think I can get for a three piece Freedom hardtop in painted Gobi? New England pickup only!

Just a little rant...

Cheers...

Gusman

BTW... absolutely LOVE the Mojave... actually it's my wife's... but I may have to trade in my 2019 Tundra 1794 edition for another Mojave.... It's a Jeep thing!

 

[willhonkforparts]

Similar to the Bestop Core doors, only different.

 

[Hootbro]

Vehicle makers file many hundreds of patents a year with very few of them actually making it into a production vehicle. Most times, it is just them place holding a idea for them to come back to if needed, deny a competitor for a time to it and/or incorporate into something else that they build upon the initial concept.

 

[sharpsicle]

Vehicle makers file many hundreds of patents a year with very few of them actually making it into a production vehicle. Most times, it is just them place holding a idea for them to come back to if needed, deny a competitor for a time to it and/or incorporate into something else that they build upon the initial concept.

This is 100% on the money. I think people would be surprised to see how many patents exist for things that don't even work.

 

[Ogre_FL]

I appreciate the technology... but no thanks....

I currently have a 2019 Mojave with dual tops and full doors. Love the soft top and will probably never install the hard top even here in New England... unless it gets significantly louder in the winter. I bought the truck this summer and have yet to drive it in the winter.

Full doors suck to remove and store... even worse trying to reinstall them... way too heavy. My first two wranglers (87 and 97 two doors) came with half doors and canvas tops. Loved them. 2009 wrangler two door with dual tops and full doors was fine... but again... never took the hard doors off and storing the hard top sucked.

Just give me the option of half doors and quality soft top uppers as a base option and not part of some stupid dual door group. I'd assume that a base half soor/canvas upper option would be (or should be) much cheaper than buying full size doors with all the electronic windows/locks etc.

Oh... and how much do you think I can get for a three piece Freedom hardtop in painted Gobi? New England pickup only!

Just a little rant...

Cheers...

Gusman

BTW... absolutely LOVE the Mojave... actually it's my wife's... but I may have to trade in my 2019 Tundra 1794 edition for another Mojave.... It's a Jeep thing!

So you have never pulled the full doors on any of your jeeps, but you know they are too heavy and hard to do?

I will say they are a bit cumbersome, but they are lighter and easier than the JK doors were.

I assume with this design the removable inner doors could be made much lighter than the current doors.
Again I assume the hinge, mirror, outside handle and locks all stay on the exo-skeleton that is also made for crash standards.
The inner door does have to have the glass (probably the heaviest part), but the door only needs to hold itself together, it does not need as much (any?) reinforcements for crash standards or general operations.
It could even be made of composites and be very light.

Now I do agree that they should offer the half doors with soft uppers as a stand alone option and NOT have to get the dual door group to get them.

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