Dreaming of cruising down the highway in your early Bronco with the wind in your hair and the sun on your skin? That’s how I imagined myself driving when I bought my first Bronco.
The only obstacle in your path might be that those stubborn doors won’t budge!
Struggling to take the doors off your early Ford Bronco can be a little bit of a process if it’s been a while since they’ve come off, but with the right tools and a little bit of patience, it can be done.
This guide will take you step by step through each process so you can get back to enjoying the road and let you better see all those people giving you thumbs up at red lights.
Table of Contents
How to Remove Your Early Bronco Doors
Step 1: Preparation is Key
Before starting the process of taking your doors off, it’s best to make sure your vehicle is ready.
First, you might need to soak your hinge pins with a lubricant, such as PB Blaster, for a couple of days. This process will loosen up any rust or dirt that has built up over time, making it easier to remove the hinges later. It worked wonders for me. During this time, open and close the door repeatedly to help the Blaster to penetrate.
While waiting for the pins to loosen up, you can remove the door strap from your Bronco’s kick panel.
Step 2: Roll Down Windows and Close Doors
Roll down the window on each door and close the door to make sure the window glass is fully seated in the door frame. This will ensure that the window will not fall out and break during the removal process.
I’m sure that was a bad day for whoever figured this out the first time.
Step 3: Remove the Hinge Pins
Using a hammer and punch, you can then drive out the hinge pins from the top and bottom of each door.
Make sure to put the pins in a place that you’ll remember where they are as they come out so they don’t get lost!
If the hinge pins are too rusted or corroded, you can try using a hinge pin removal tool to get them out. Once you have removed the pins from both hinges, the doors should be free to lift off the vehicle.
If your hinges just won’t budge, you may have to replace the whole door hinge assembly, which involves unbolting it from the door and A-pillar.
Step 4: Hold onto Your Window Crank or Arm Rest
When the doors are ready to be lifted off, the process can get a little tricky. We recommend reaching your right arm through the open window and holding on to the window crank or armrest with your right hand.
With your left hand, open the door handle and then slowly lift the door off the vehicle.
You will find the doors are heavy, so it’s not a bad idea to have a friend to help.
Go slowly and carefully as you lift the door off, so you don’t scratch the paint. Some of you might not be able to tell with all your off-road driving scars. Bravo!
Just a few more scratches to add more character. Some of you might use those scratches as a reason for a full-on restoration. We don’t judge.
Step 5: Repeat the Process for Both Doors
Now that you’ve removed the first door, you can repeat the process with the other one.
You should also take this opportunity to inspect your hinges for any signs of damage, such as cracks, rust, or wear. If you need to make any repairs or replace parts, this is a good time to do it.
Conclusion:
Taking the doors off your early Bronco can make your drive more fun, but it’s important to take the right steps to avoid damaging your vehicle. I’ll be honest, once I took the doors off my ‘77 Bronco I never put them back on. Got a little cold in the winter, but it was worth it.
By following this step-by-step guide, you can safely remove your doors and enjoy the fresh air while cruising down the road.
If you need extra assistance or want to make sure that you’re doing things correctly, you can always reach out to a trusted mechanic or Bronco expert for guidance.
Want to streamline this process in the future?
A common upgrade to early Broncos is lift-off door hinges.
The pin in these has been redesigned, so instead of driving it out with a hammer, the whole door can easily be lifted off.
If your doors are going to be taken on and off often, this is a critical upgrade. These are also often made of stainless steel, providing better corrosion resistance and smoother operation.
Pair these with a quick-release set of door straps, and you just cut your door removal process in half (or more!)
