Stretching Door Opening Thoughts...

While up hunting this weekend I was looking at a cj7 and was impressed by how easy it is to get in and out of due to the extended door opening. Got me to wondering if anyone here ever elongated the door opening on a cj5 or 6 to where the top of the door opening is at least as far back as the backrest of the seat. I am trying to eliminate the jeep tub wedgie that can happen if you are not careful as you hop in.

My plan would be to cut and move the back part of the door opening to make the opening longer, but otherwise the same shape, and then cut two sections from another tub to make bolt-in fillers that could be attached to return the door opening to the original size when the hardtop is on (eliminating the need to stretch the doors or modify the top).

Has anyone done this? Also, I am dealing with a CJ6 so I have a bit more wiggle room before I get near the rear fenderwell.

 

M-170 had a door opening like you describe on the passenger side. There were door fillers used on that when a hard top was installed (I don't remember if that was an aftermarket too or not). No reason you couldn't do the same if you wanted.

 

I put 12" in the door of my 2A.

 

Heretic!

 

But I can barely get in the darn thing!

 

That would work. Might even be able to swing me all the way to the cooler in the back too.

 

Sounds like it's time for a cj7.

 

or a WRANGLER!!!!

 

That door shape is one of the things that separate CJ5's from lesser jeeps.

 

Back in the day (1974-ish), my boss Brian Chuchua was approached by a young disabled veteran - who no longer had the use of his legs - asking for a Jeep that he could drive. Brian customized a new CJ-6 for him, with a TH400 automatic and hand controls. They also cut out a section of the body next to the seat so the customer could lift himself up from his wheelchair and slide on to the seat. They simply cut the body and mounted the cut section on hinges. If access is a serious issue for you, you could do something similar.

 

Don't want the shorter wheelbase of the Cj7, plan to run an automatic and need the additional length of the CJ6.

Nah. Maybe a Scrambler, if I ever found a reasonably priced one.

I hunt every weekend during the (a zone) season here with a disabled friend. He has a ratty CJ5 converted to hand controls. He gets in it somehow but he is building a Scout as the CJ's replacement mainly because it is easier for him to get in and out of.
I probably won't stretch the opening. The more I think about it, it is hardest to get in when the top is on and the inserts to make the door fit would still need to be there.

 

Attach the filler to the door and it will open with the door?

 

Hmmmm. Hadn't considered that angle.

 

I have been contemplating building a 3B-ish Jeep on an intermediate frame. If it comes together, it will be stretched in the door opening. This gives more room for longer trans/T-case options, as well as more legroom and better access for me. I know it isn't how they came, but it will still be all Jeep!
-Donny

 

I like it. Would love to see what the body looks like with no top and no doors.

 

That is something I have been debating doing my self. I am going to have to decide soon or it will be come a big issue later. But I have different doors than you do. My doors have a Squarer bottom so they would cover the opening. See avatar