Introduction: Jeep Wrangler 4 Door Rack
This is a quick door rack to keep your jeep doors safe when you are driving around doorless.
Seemed like a good first instructable. :-)
Step 1: Parts
From Home Depot:
4 - 10' X1" PVC pipe
6 - 1" pipe insulators
14 - 1" PVC elbows
10 - 1" PVC TEEs
Cost about $35
Cut the pipe into 10 - 2' sections,
8 - 4" sections,
and the rest into 1' sections.
Step 2: Put Together the Verticles
Connect two 2' sections and one 1' section with elbows.
Do this 5 times.
Step 3: Start the Base
Create two base sections each with a TEE, 1' section, TEE, 1' section, TEE.
Before you press them together too hard make sure that all of the TEE sections are pointing down and flat on the ground. This will help to ensure they all point straight up.
Then connect three of the vertical sections into these.
Step 4: Cross Members and Ends
Create two sections each with a 4" section, TEE, 4" section, elbow.
Then connect the two sections at the TEE with a 1' section.
Connect this to the one end of the main base and add a vertical upwards from the elbows.
Repeat this on the opposite end.
And look at the pictures... its easier than reading all this. :-)
Step 5: Foam It Up!!
Cut the foam pipe insulators to fit every section of 1" pipe you can.
The insulators are split down the middle and are self adhesive so you can cut them, wrap them around and secure them in place very easily.
The foam insulators are just a bit wider than the elbows and tees so the doors can rest against them without rubbing PVC.
Step 6: Go Doorless!
Take your doors off!!! The two front doors lean in against the center vertical section. The two back doors go in the outer slots. I put them on their side since the bottoms of the doors are pretty narrow. They made me nervous. :-)
Looking back I could have made the width of the rack a little less so that the rear doors would have a better span, but I suspect they would still be prone to bumps or wind.
Hope you enjoyed my first Instructable!!! Have fun building it, and if you don't have a Wrangler, go buy one!!! :-)
Step 7: Addendum
I modified my rack some today. I shortened the distance between posts to 6" and cut the height down to 19" this keeps the vertical posts under the mirrors and door handles allowing them to fit in the 6" space. I also mounted it to a furniture dolly so it can roll around. I glued it all together with PVC glue to help stiffen it as well.I modified my rack some today. I shortened the distance between posts to 6" and cut the height down to 19" this keeps the vertical posts under the mirrors and door handles allowing them to fit in the 6" space. I also mounted it to a furniture dolly so it can roll around. I glued it all together with PVC glue to help stiffen it as well. I modified my rack some today. I shortened the distance between posts to 6" and cut the height down to 19" this keeps the vertical posts under the mirrors and door handles allowing them to fit in the 6" space. I also mounted it to a furniture dolly so it can roll around. I glued it all together with PVC glue to help stiffen it as well. I modified my rack some today. I shortened the distance between posts to 6" and cut the height down to 19" this keeps the vertical posts under the mirrors and door handles allowing them to fit in the 6" space. I also mounted it to a furniture dolly so it can roll around. I glued it all together with PVC glue to help stiffen it as well. I also added a couple of velcro straps just to keep the doors together while rolling around the driveway.
36 Comments
Question 4 years ago on Introduction
Hey all, I’m in the process of making this, great design but was wondering, is it rain proof? I want to keep it outside but not sure if the foam/carpet on the dolly will deteriorate over time under rainfall. I don’t have much room to store it.
Also my foam is not self adhesive so it’s just hanging on, anyone know what’s good adhesive to use to have them stay on the PVC?
Thanks a bunch
Answer 1 year ago
I would zip tie them to the pvc. That way too, when you chew up the foam taking the doors on and off the rack you can replace the foam easier and cleaner.
Reply 1 year ago
Awesome suggestion, thanks!
1 year ago on Introduction
Getting ready to make my second one. Here is the modified parts, cuts and assembly instructions I will be using:
Step 1: parts list from Home Depot:
3 ea. 10' X1" ID PVC pipe
6 ea. 1" pipe insulators
(pool noodles)
14 ea. 1" PVC elbows
10 ea. 1" PVC TEEs
Step 2: cuts
-For verticals and crossmembers:
10 ea. 16 1/2" sections
7 ea. 12" sections
-For base:
4 ea. 7" sections
8 ea. 3" sections(for TEEs at ends)
Final dimensions without foam, approximately 19" tall, 15 1/2" wide and 36" long.
Step 3: Assemble Verticals:
Connect two 16 1/2"sections and one 1' section with elbows.
Do this 5 times.
Step 4: Start Base:
Create two base sections each with a TEE, 7" section, TEE, 7" section, TEE. Before you press them together too hard make sure that all of the TEE sections are pointing down and flat on the ground. This will help to ensure they all point straight up. Then connect three of the vertical sections into these.
Step 5: Cross Members/Ends:
Create two sections each with a 3" section, TEE, 3" section, elbow. Then connect the two sections at the TEE with a 1' section. Connect this to the one end of the main base and add a vertical upwards from the elbows.
1 year ago
Made mine this weekend with the updated specs and worked out great! Love it for storing the tube doors and the ease of moving them throughout the garage as needed! Thanks!
8 years ago on Introduction
Only needed 3 of the 6' foam insulators. I spray painted the PVC before putting the insulation on too.
Reply 2 years ago
What type of spray paint did you use
Reply 2 years ago
Oh shucks, its been a minute. I believe i used rust-oleum's hammered antique pewter.
Question 2 years ago
i love this design and i’ve got everything needed for it except the dolly. How long is this project when it’s all finished? Just need to know what size dolly to grab :)
2 years ago
For those wanting to build this and getting confused, here are the revised cuts
16 3/4" = 10
7" = 4
3" = 8
12" = 5
You will also only need 30' of pipe and will have 55" remaining. Final dimensions without phone 20" tall, 15 1/2" wide and 36" long.
3 years ago on Introduction
Per step 7, to keep the top braces below the door handles @ 19", cut the cross pieces at approx. 16 3/4" - 17" (cut all mine at 17", but would make them a tiny bit shorter if I was doing this again). This includes the lower cross braces. I cut the base pieces between the verticals at 6", but would go to 6.5" or 7" if I were to do this again. The outside pieces between the horizontal base can be cut at 3" each because they get 1" added from the t-fitting and the 90 degree fitting. The outside is the perfect width. Mount to a furniture dolly and you're ready to go. Great design.
Reply 2 years ago
So what is the final cut list. Everything is confused in my head.
Reply 2 years ago
What size furniture dolly did you use please?
3 years ago
Question...how do the rear doors rest? I see people putting them sideways or upside down. I can’t do sideways for where I want to store the cart, and I’m not crazy about upside down. Will the rear doors sit upright and stay sturdy? If not, am I better off using plywood on the dolly and putting the PVC into floor flanges with male adapters? Also, does this hold well without gluing the uprights? If not, I am going to put unions at the bottom so I can break down the uprights for easier storage in the winter.
Tip 3 years ago on Step 7
I replaced bottom elbows on corners with 4 90* elbow with outlets. I also got rid of the smaller cuts and only cut the 9" pieces for inbetween each rack and 1' pieces width then 19" pieces height. It made it more solid. Use a miter saw if possible for ease and clean cuts.. make sure to use primer before glue. Also used 1 1/2" pvc. Bought swim noodlea at dollar tree for insulation and cut and zip ties them so when they deteriorate i can replace them. It cost about $110 for materials. It measures 16" wide by 47" long in the end so I will have to build the dolly which will cost about another $60. Or i can just stack it on 2 pallets. I haven't decided which yet. It has about 3.5" height off the ground right now. Just thought I would share.
Question 4 years ago on Step 1
Did you mean 8 four FOOT sections not 8 four INCH?
7 years ago
How did you secure it to the dolly? Thanks
Reply 5 years ago
Looks like he used a 1' metal electrical tube strap. You can find them at Lowes or Home Depot for a couple of dollars.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/Halex-1-in-Electrical-Metallic-Tube-EMT-2-Hole-Straps-4-Pack-26163/100117640
5 years ago
I love it. Worked perfectly. But, how are you securing this in your Jeep as you drive?
Question 5 years ago on Introduction
So what were the addendum measurements?
Instead of:
10 - 2' sections,
8 - 4" sections,
and the rest into 1' sections.
What should the cuts be to make the final result?