Published on August 27, 2026 Author Chris Hamilton Photo Credit CHRIS HAMILTON Share article Facebook 0 Twitter 0 Mail 0 Going Doorless: Fab Fours Tube Doors Transform Our Jeep Gladiator AS SEEN IN OUR Tread Sept/Oct 2026 ISSUE – Buy Now! American Gladiator Build Series Part 7! There’s something about a Jeep with the doors off that makes every drive feel like an adventure. It doesn’t matter if you’re headed to the trails, rolling down a back road, or pulling into a crowded beach parking lot with a cooler in the back. The wind hits a little different, the exhaust sounds a little better, and suddenly the destination isn’t nearly as important as the drive itself. That’s exactly the direction we’ve been taking with American Gladiator. Over the last few issues, we’ve transformed this Gladiator from a stock pickup into a capable adventure rig with Fab Fours armor, a roof rack ready for kayaks and camping gear, 37-inch tires, American Force wheels, Wilwood brakes, Air Lift suspension support, and a JL Audio system that sounds just as good on the highway as it does around a campfire. Every modification has had one goal: build a Jeep that’s as fun to use as it is to look at. Subscribe to our weekly newsletter With America celebrating its 250th birthday, it seemed fitting to keep adding to a project we named American Gladiator. It’s built for road trips, dirt roads, fishing spots, beach days, and everything in between. That brings us to one of the most rewarding upgrades yet: a complete set of Fab Fours front and rear tube doors. Sure, you can find tube doors all over the internet for half the price, but there’s a reason. Fab Fours designs and manufactures these doors in the USA using CNC laser-cut components, precision fabrication, and a durable powdercoated finish that feels like OEM quality the moment you pull them out of the box. Installation couldn’t have been much simpler. After removing the factory doors, the new tube doors bolt together with supplied hardware, install onto the factory hinges, and use limiting straps, integrated latches, mirror mounts, and rubber seals for a solid, rattle-free fit. The only adjustment needed was taking our time aligning everything before tightening it down. The payoff is immediate. Visibility improves, getting in and out is easier, and every drive feels connected to the outside world. These doors completely change the personality of the Gladiator and remind you why owning a Jeep is different from owning anything else. And we’re just getting started. Next issue, American Gladiator gets a complete 3.5-inch TeraFlex suspension system, along with custom pinstripe graphics that will tie the entire build together. The stance is about to change, the attitude is getting even bigger, and this Jeep is one step closer to becoming the ultimate open-air adventure machine. Fab Fours offers two styles of tube doors. We chose the half-door option. Which would you choose? Before the new doors go on, remove the factory hinge locking nuts with a T50 Torx and get the Jeep ready for the swap. Disconnect the factory door check strap and free it from the body to prepare for door removal. Unplug the factory wiring harness so the OEM door can be removed without damaging the electrical connections. Remove the factory door detent using a T40 Torx, clearing the last attachment point. With the door opened about 45 degrees, lift it straight off the factory hinges with the help of a friend. Yes, we can legally drive with no doors if we have temporary mirrors, but we want to have the safety and confidence that comes with protective metal bars. Next, we installed the Fab Fours hinges using the supplied hardware, leaving the hinge bolts slightly loose for final adjustment. The latch installs on the back side of the door, and correct orientation is key for smooth operation. Attach the limiting strap to the inside of the door to prevent it from opening beyond its intended range. Now we can hang the new tube door on the factory hinges, latch it closed, tighten all hardware, and finish the install. After about two hours in the garage, we knocked out this install with no problems. These doors are very well engineered and totally worth the price! Quality parts make all the difference, and TeraFlex has built its reputation on suspension systems that deliver on and off the trail. Next issue, we’ll bolt it all together and show you every step of the transformation. So big we need bump stops! We haven’t forgotten about our graphics! We just need a little more time to define the details. Next issue, we promise! Read Full Bio Chris Hamilton Chris Hamilton is an automotive journalist, editor, and lifelong truck enthusiast with extensive experience covering custom truck builds, fabrication, performance upgrades, aftermarket products, and a ...
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