FJ Cruiser Tube Doors // Good? Bad? Ugly?

In this one I pull some tube doors off the shelf that I've had sitting around for a very long time. It's summer, so I thought now would be a good time to give them a try! Tube doors are available for all kind of off road type vehicles including Jeep, Bronco and a few Toyota models. They definitely make you feel more connected to the outside world, but is that always what you want?

[@eqlibrium854]

I love 'em! I want a set for mine one day... I think it would be cool to somehow rig the hinges so all you need to do is pull pins to swap doors back and forth in seconds when you want to change between factory and tubes.

[@nicholascooper1193]

I love/hate tube doors. I ran tube doors for years on every Toyota I had, then I think I got old. I have a set for the Tacoma that I've never put on (in ten years...) The best set I had were ones that I made that used a set of factory door latches (no rattles) and had aluminum panels in the lower portion that were fitted to the lower door jamb/sill. That kept a lot of the splash and road spray out, and stuff from rolling out. They are still floating around East TN somewhere. I'd panel in that entire lower section, especially with functioning AC

[@zacharytremblay9481]

Way better with tube doors 👍

[@DUNEATV]

I’ve watched you struggling to see where you’re going on the trail. These will help and they look great!

[@offroadhub.official]

Yeah viability is great! Now if I could just see in front of me. 😄

[@DUNEATV]

@@offroadhub.official Lol

[@KL00100]

Huh depends I'm looking forward to seeing how it works.

[@offgridhomesteadthemudpuddle]

Awesome Ken!!..I've got some on my 2000 SAS Tacoma . Definitely more dusty but i live off grid...and yes, adds a cool dimension!💪👍

[@offroadhub.official]

I like them!

[@theclan4adventures]

Coming from a guy who had removable doors (via pins) on his Toyota pickups and 4Runners back in the 90’s countless zuk builds friends with jeeps bla bla bla I can tell you they are great as long as you can check off a few boxes on this list .. no exposure of food or drink items…(open soda cans chip bags things like that) great weather forecast…if wheeling in spring time stay far away from anything that blooms… saw a family come flying by in a razor last season who had run into a swarm of bees ..I can tell you from first hand experience wasps and bees love off-roading people who bring open cans of say mountain dew and other lovely snacks to check out not to mention they love looking at all the interesting things inside and outside of most vehicles lol oh and you’ll find out real quick what trees and bushes have sharp parts to them and how far even at low speed those badass tires will throw stuff..

[@offroadhub.official]

Good points! I drove over some ground hornets once and I was glad to be able to roll up my windows! 😄

[@jeytex3161]

Ken brings nature in out on the trail. I get almost that much dust in my interior with doors and windows when running the trails in southern Nevada! Can say you’ll have that wonderful pine scent all summer long, could be a plus!

[@offroadhub.official]

Lots of really light powdery dust around here. I've seen the same thing in Nevada! A little dust never killed anyone right? 👍

[@LackeyKh]

Just wanna say Ken the camera you've been using absolutely kicks ass!

[@offroadhub.official]

Oh good! All of my videos have been made with a GoPro hero 8 black. 👍

[@michaelhickey8118]

A definite Yes Ken! :)

[@protacodan4225]

Got to be way easier to see now, who cares what others think it your rig, enjoy your hard work!! Happy trails

[@offroadhub.official]

It'll be fun to do some real trails in this configuration!

[@DougVandegrift]

I love the FJ Cruiser! Such a capable off roader! Sad toyota doesn't have anything like it nowadays.

[@offroadhub.official]

The FJ great! All of the midsize Toyota and Lexus SUV's are actually extremely similar to the FJ under the skin. 😉

[@davidruppel1216]

I think they look good, and that comes from a Jeep JK driver.

[@jeffgreenwood5159]

looks great

[@Handle4477]

For looks no, yes it gets everything inside dirty but for light weight no problem 😉 but would leave it on for some rock crawling and have the regular doors in the camper just in case, and it came with mirrors.

[@Thexkidd]

Love it. Tube doors are great.

[@Mickale-Moranis]

Tube doors to me are arm rests, mirror locators, and even hold your drinks with cup holders. Though some can be with canvas for pockets and blocking most tire debri out. Dust, yah, you still have the hardtop on and no 'through air' passage in the cab. You will get a lot of swirling wind in that cab. If you open the rear windows and possibly put in a full cab sun roof, think canvas for enroute and easy removal, that would open the cab quite a bit. Jeep has a full slide back canvas on their newish JLU for the hardtop. Top is probably still removable, but not in 3 pieces like other JLU models. That canvas slide sunroof I remember was on the VW Bugs of the 50s/60s, IIRC. If you are worried about the sun with whole roof sun roof, then think the mesh bikini/safari setup. They attach with bungee balls to roll bars and interior points (open loops sort of thing).

[@offroadhub.official]

Interesting things to consider! Thank you!

[@DaddyJeepGarage]

You could skin those tube doors to offer some protection.

[@tomandhistruck]

i want to make something like that for my rig. Those are amazing!

[@offroadhub.official]

If you're skilled with a tube bender that could be a cool project. I guess you could make them out I plate as well.

[@DirtyChuckwalla]

Looks like they would offer much more visibility when on the rocks. Looks good also.

[@offroadhub.official]

Can't wait to try them out in some more serious conditions!

[@overlandchan5191]

Washing the rig with those on would be interesting lol!

[@offroadhub.official]

I'll have to be careful!

[@mode1charlie170]

I would have a retaining strap on those doors. I would be worried about too much stress on the hinge mounting hardware / door jam.

[@scoony2131]

would love to see you come back to Elbe Washington and run busy wild with your fj now that its all set up like it is sweet rig man

[@offroadhub.official]

I'll be back for sure! Here's me running busywild in the new setup! kzbin.info/www/bejne/panMoIqsmM2ep6c

[@forreststrong797]

I like those doors, they look well made and fit nice. I say run em if you like them who cares what others think. Also it seems like you get a crazy amount of extra vision. Can you get a vinyl or metal skin? I know on my cj5 when I use the vinyl half doors it's pretty well protected inside while driving in rain and it keeps some mud out. If you were gonna run the half doors for a while I'd maybe think about a skin of some sort then maybe you wouldn't need to switch them out as often. I think one of my favorite parts with your tube doors is they took the time to design the front of them in a way that hides the hinges and huge gap you see at the fenders with the doors off.

[@offroadhub.official]

I've been thinking of a way to come up with some kind of additional protection.

[@forreststrong797]

@@offroadhub.official I think if I were looking for something to put on the doors I would probably start out by trying aluminum sheet metal held on with P-clamps around the tubes. You could get some small rubber trim mounding to go around the edge of the aluminum sheet so it's not sharp and hides any small imperfections. Edit: if you wanted to do some welding you could attach tabs on the doors for quarter turn fasteners and hold your skin on that way as well.

[@offroadhub.official]

@@forreststrong797 good ideas!

[@justonpolson7690]

Heck yeah!! Looks cool and FUN!!!I wonder if you can get them with the lower portion skin as well? Could possibly help a little with dust/mud control. Still sweet for rock crawling, not much dust involved😂😂😂

[@offroadhub.official]

Oh yeah, rocks are nice and clean!

[@iankovac1878]

The main issue with FJC is they have the same visibility as a new body style camero lol :)

[@offroadhub.official]

That's about right 😄

[@PeteHemdem]

Tube doors are great in water crossings. If you want to wash your rig's interior.

[@offroadhub.official]

😆👍

[@chain1150]

It's looking like a Roll Bar is Next.

[@offroadhub.official]

Eventually! 😬😆

[@eddiegray1979]

Good demo, I’ll pass on the tube doors

[@offroadhub.official]

They certainly aren't for everyone. Thanks for watching!

[@greggoett]

Did you say Insecure or Unsecured? On One Tons the FJ should have plenty of confidence.

[@offroadhub.official]

😆

[@DirtyDesertFox]

Mmm potatoes 🤘🦊

[@offroadhub.official]

Everybody loves potatoes! 😄

[@nicholasbaldwin1674]

the weight reduction is worth it. factory doors weigh a lot!

[@12345.......]

Dust is nothing a leaf blower can't clean up.

[@nnperformance76]

Lexan or plexiglass? On the lower half? Rivnuts and some time? Keep the visibility and a little barrier from mother nature at the same time?

[@offroadhub.official]

Another good idea!

[@wilfredoquinones5016]

How about the back side doors, can you replaced too?

[@offroadhub.official]

Maybe, but I'd have to make something. Nobody sells a rear tube door.

[@vinr6867]

What do you think the J stands for in FJ?

[@offroadhub.official]

Jeep! 😄

[@JahazielCruzPLUS]

just no sorry

[@offroadhub.official]

It's ok! 😄👍