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Jeep should just go ahead and dub itself as the official vehicle of summer. There is no better way to enjoy the warmer temperatures than ditching the doors and hard top of your Jeep. Sure, the Wrangler has very few vehicles that can touch it on the trail. And, the aftermarket for the JK is almost endless so you can build one as capable as you want. But, the ability to ditch both the top and all of the doors truly separates the Wrangler from any other vehicle currently available. You could yank the doors off a Miata, but it just isn't the same. Of course, there are going to be times when you need some protection from the weather and the elements. Unfortunately, not every day in summer is perfect. That is where Bestop's new Core Doors come in. Trail doors for Jeeps are nothing new, but most are built out of tube with some type of mesh covering. While these are great for offering a bit more protection on the trail, they don't do much when bad weather rolls in. You are still going to get drenched by a rainstorm or freeze in an unexpected cold snap. Bestop's new Core Doors are unique in that they offer the open-air experience that everyone loves, but can quickly adapt to protect occupants from inclement weather. The doors feature cast aluminum lowers and optional twill uppers that convert them to full doors. Bestop is the OEM manufacturer of Jeep's soft tops, so it is no surprise that the doors have an OEM level of quality. They aren't your typical "trail" doors. Let's check out the features of the new Bestop Core Doors.  The Bestop Core Doors definitely have a high quality feel to them that is hard to convey in photos. Their cast aluminum construction definitely set them apart and gives them a unique look. They have a solid feel to them and it is easy to tell that a lot of thought went into their design. The Core Doors come in a black textured powder coat and can be used with the stock mirrors.  The Core Doors feature pop-out panels for those that want to experience more of an open-air feel. A gasket runs its full length so that it doesn't leak or rattle. The panels use several cams on the backside to hold them in place. At first, these were a bit hard to manipulate but became easier after a few uses.  A gasket also runs the full length of the door. This allows for it to fit tight to the body and be rattle free. Nothing drives us insane quicker then doors rattling on the trail. Thankfully, our experience with the Core Doors was a rattle free one. The gasket also helps keep rain, wind, and dust on the outside where it belongs.  The high-quality latches also help to keep the doors rattle free. They aren't the afterthoughts that we have seen on some doors and have a premium feel to them. They feature locks as well for some extra security over going completely doorless. The OCD in us also likes that the latches are the same height front to rear for a clean look.  The latch mechanism on the backside of the door is fully enclosed. This not only gives the door a more finished look but also keeps it from snatching on your clothes or body. And, it gave us a comfortable place to rest our arms and work on our trucker tan. The door is easy to open from the inside with a pull of the forward tab.  The upper twill sections of the Core Doors are optional and they aren't necessary for those perfect summer days. However, they are super easy to use as they just drop into place. Once installed, they act like a full door fitting tight to the body to block out the wind. We used them on chilly evenings instead of having to bundle up and blast the heater.  Another nice feature of the uppers is that the windows can be zipped open. This was perfect for when we were driving and wanted some airflow and couldn't stop to take out the uppers. It also came in handy for ordering food at the local drive-thru.  Rear doors and uppers are also available. The Core Doors can be purchased as a complete set with front and rear doors with uppers. You can also buy the front and rear doors individually as well as the upper twill sections.  Overall we were really impressed with Bestop's new Core Doors. They go well beyond the typical trail doors and look great to boot. They are not cheap, but they are definitely a premium product. Currently, the Core Doors are only available for the Jeep JK, but a JL version is on the way. Products We Used In This Article |
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