Removing the doors on your Bronco is a feature not enough of us are taking advantage of — me included. Over the last couple weeks, Bronco Nation has covered the other major open-air hallmark of the Bronco, the removable roof, in the hard top removal and soft top operation guides.
Are You Getting the Most from Your Purchase?
When I post an article, I like to use pictures from trips to show others what the community is doing. I’ve been attending Bronco events since early 2021, so I have a healthy gallery of all sorts of Broncos doing all sorts of things. However, while both sets of roof removal instructions required a small amount of scrolling to find examples, this one had me hunting. It seems like there's a portion of us keeping our Broncos buttoned up.
Maybe it’s because Bronco Nation is frequently gathered in dusty places, enjoying Johnson Valley sandstorms and red dirt gusts in Moab ... although I recall one member that wasn't letting silt stop him. We were at Overland Expo PNW's Bronco Basecamp; he had his doors and top off, interior just coated with grime. He had no regrets.
If it's preference stopping you, that's cool; use your Bronco the way you want. But if it’s concern of damaging something or just being unsure of how to get started, this guide’s here to help more sixth-gen Bronco owners feel the breeze off-road. We give step-by-step instructions for door removal and reinstallation, plus solutions for safe door storage and alternatives to driving completely open.
And for those of you with the top off and doors stored no matter what the weather –– I know you exist –– please encourage the rest of us with pics of your Bronco living its best doorless life in the comments. Removing the doors is a feature worth using!
Doors-Off Disclaimer
As a reminder, Ford classifies tube doors and going doorless for off-road use only. Check with your state laws before removing your doors. Bronco’s cowl-mounted mirrors solve most states' requirement of side mirrors for on-road driving, but I say that for educational purposes; it is not legal advice.
How to Remove the Doors on Your 2021-2025 Bronco
Watch the full process in our Bronco Nation video tutorial or follow along below. If you prefer to watch your tutorials and not read them, be sure to view the best practices video later in the article before reinstalling. It gives helpful tips on not wrecking paint, what to do if you lose a bolt, and installation troubleshooting.
Tools You’ll Need:
- 13mm socket, ratchet, and alignment pin from your Bronco tool kit
- Door storage bags (highly recommended)
- Fender protectors included in the tool kit
The steps are the same for 2-door and 4-door Broncos, with two minor differences:
- The longer doors of the 2-door weigh more: Each clock in at 62 lbs. For reference, the 4-door front doors are 55 lbs., and the rear are 44 lbs.
- The 2-door’s doors cannot be stowed in the back –– and neither can those from the 4-door if you have the Ford slide-out tailgate –– or any aftermarket accessory that could be a hinderance.
Step-by-Step Door Removal Instructions:
- Push the Start/Stop button and roll down the windows on the doors you plan to remove.
- Turn the vehicle off.
- Fold the mirrors forward toward the hood when removing the front doors.
- Install the fender protectors: one the body near the upper hinge, and one on the door near the lower hinge.
- Open the door fully.
- Disconnect the door wiring harness by opening the connector door and pulling the harness straight out.
- Place the door storage bag over your CLEAN door. Don’t have door bags? Ford does:
- 4-door onboard storage bags
- 2-door garage storage bags
- 4-door front and rear garage storage bags
- Use the 13mm socket to remove the lower and upper hinge bolts.
- Store the bolts in the tool kit pouch.
- Use the handles on the door bag or the door handle and lower lift handle to lift the door straight up. Have a helper assist you.
- Remove the fender protectors, zip the door bag, and repeat for each door.
- Fold mirrors back into the driving position.
Note:
- The rear seat occupant alert no longer functions with the doors off.
- When you remove the doors or when you have tube doors installed on the vehicle, a warning message related to the electrical system appears on the instrument cluster display with each ignition cycle. The message no longer displays when all factory doors are reinstalled. If the message persists after you install all factory doors, check the wiring connectors on all the doors to confirm that you properly connected them.
Storing Your Doors
Onboard Storage (4-Door Models Only)
If equipped with Ford’s door storage bags, you can store all four doors in the cargo area, but only if:
- You don’t have the slide-out tailgate or other aftermarket cargo accessories that will get in the way.
- You’re using soft top partially retracted (not fully open).
Storage Harness Installation:
- Adjust rear seat upright and raise headrests.
- Install eyebolts from the tool kit into the rear cargo pillars. Hand tighten, then use the ratchet handle to fully tighten.
- Attach retention harness straps: Upper straps (1 & 2) go to the eyebolts and lower straps (3 & 4) attach to the forward cargo rings.
- Loop narrow strap over all rear headrests and tighten, taking care not to go so tight as to damage the headrests.
- Place door bags in the cargo area in correct order, clipping bags to the harness as you go: Driver rear > Driver front > Passenger rear > Passenger front.
- Pull retention harness over the bags and fasten remaining straps (5 & 6 go to the eyebolts and 7 & 8 go to the lower rear cargo rings).
- Tighten all adjustable straps to secure the doors.
Note:
- Double-check that the doors won’t shift. When closing the tailgate, make sure the glass clears the stored doors.
- Ford recommends you avoid high speed or extreme rock crawling while storing doors onboard.
Home Storage (2- and 4-Door Models)
If you want to admire your Bronco with its doors off in your driveway, you can skip the onboard storage and get a rolling cart or garage-wall mounted brackets for your doors. A variety of options are available; search “Ford Bronco Door Storage Cart/Rack/Hanger” or find tutorials online to make your own.
Optional Tube Doors
If removing the doors makes you feel a little too free, consider getting tube doors. Ford Performance offers OEM sets for the 2-door Bronco as well as the 4-door version. You can also find options by various aftermarket companies.
Reinstalling the Doors on Your Bronco
Follow these steps to get your doors back on safely and aligned:
- Fold the mirrors forward.
- Clean the hinges and door mount points.
- Put on the fender protectors.
- Install the lower alignment pin in the lower body-side hinge.
- Lower the door onto the body hinges with a helper. Make sure you have the door fully open or at a 45-degree angle to orient the door on the upper hinge’s squared stud. If you don’t, it will not seat correctly.
- Remove the alignment pin.
- Hand-start the hinge bolts, then tighten with the 13mm socket. Use a torque wrench if available: 22 lb.ft (30 Nm).
- Remove the door storage bag, if using one.
- Reconnect wiring harness.
- Open and close the door to confirm proper alignment. If you hear a clicking noise, go back and check the bolts.
- Repeat for remaining doors.
- Power up the ignition and check for any warning messages.
- Fold mirrors back into driving position.
Tip: Some people swear by longer aftermarket alignment pins for easier installation. Check out EZ4X4’s Bronco Door Hinge Alignment Pin Guide Kit if that sounds appealing to you.
Make the Most of Your Bronco’s Open-Air Freedom
Running your Bronco without doors offers a better view of obstacles and trail terrain — plus, it just feels awesome. Ask a trusted helper to assist and take your time as you get used to the process. There’s no shame in laying down some thick padding on the ground underneath, either!
Need another visual walkthrough? Check out Ford’s official video here, as well as documentation from the owner’s manual:
Join the Bronco Nation Community
If this guide helped, we’ve got more where it came from. Join the Bronco Nation community for more how-tos, trail tips, and owner insights — because owning a Bronco isn’t just about driving one, it’s about belonging to an awesome crowd.
Ready for your next adventure? Make it easier and better with friends. Find an event on our calendar and check out (or start) a Bronco club near you!
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