A Rant From a Jeep Driver With No Doors

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi) 05/08/2014 at 11:49 • Filed to: Rant, Jeep, Driving Etiquette

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Jeep is always the answer only second to Miata. Why is this you may ask? Because the doors come off.

"Well sure, but I can take the doors off my Miata too" you say. But it's not quite as awesome as a Jeep with no roof and no doors. The Jeep provides this feeling of total awesomeness whenever there are no doors to be found, as if the doors were chains holding it back from who it really is.

My Jeep has no doors. It's great. But there is one problem. The side view mirrors are attached to the doors, which aren't there anymore... This means the only mirror I have is my rear view mirror.

Now I don't mind turning my head to check for traffic. I don't want to cause an accident as much as you don't want to be in one. So why, I ask, why, do you insist on driving in what would be my blind spot should I have mirrors? Do you not realize it becomes more of a blind spot when I don't have mirrors?

Maybe I just notice it more now that I have to turn my head a lot. But I watch cars come up in my rear view at a rate faster than I am traveling, in a lane to my left, and then the car never passes. I look back and they are right on the corner of my bumper pacing me. I keep going and they are still there, just pacing.

I have to wonder, do you not realize I have no mirrors? I mean I constantly have people pulling up next to me at lights and making comments about the lack of doors, so I know you notice that part. Do you not realize how dangerous of a spot you are leaving yourself in? What if I didn't pay attention to the fact you were still there and had to make an emergency move?

This is a bad idea in general, so just stop pacing people on their corners, but more over, stop pacing Jeeps with no doors on their corners.

(And before I hear about how I can just buy aftermarket side mirrors that mount to the door hinges for when the doors are gone. I KNOW. But law here does not require side mirrors, and sitting on someones corner is dangerous with or without side mirrors, so just stop.)

/Rant

Caspian Kilkelly > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:51

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?w=400&h=224

Nibby > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:52

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I used to have a 2011 Wrangler (leased, hated it, but whatever).

I squeezed in a tight spot because it the only space available... and the E150 vans on both sides decided to park over the white lines. It was a nice summer day and I had the top off... so I just hopped out through the back.

#justjeepthings

thebigbossyboss > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:54

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Honestly, I had never considered that jeeps with no doors have no side mirrors. I don't think it's a level of analysis that most non jeep drivers would notice.

JR1 > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:54

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Do you ever take the windshield down and look like this?

CalzoneGolem > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:54

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FACT: No Miata ever came with a fold down windshield

dogisbadob > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:54

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you need some JDM fender mirrors yo

Party-vi > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:57

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LOL problem?

CAR_IS_MI > thebigbossyboss 05/08/2014 at 11:58

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Maybe its just me, but when I approach another vehicle from behind I always watch two things on their car. 1. The front tires, if they are going to turn the tires will tell you first, and 2, the side mirrors, I can use your mirror to see if you are paying attention, or are you texting...

Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:58

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Honestly I don't think it's reasonable for people to treat you any differently than any other vehicle on the road in this case. If you remove your doors, and therefore your mirrors, the burden is on you to be more careful in the situation. You need to be equally aware of the cars around you. Literally every other car they come across day to day has mirrors, so the fact that yours might not in a certain (uncommon) configuration would not occur to most anyone on the road, good driver or not.

Hell, most Jeep owners don't even consider the no mirror thing until they actually remove the doors themselves. It would be unreasonable for anyone else to really consider that as well, especially when the thing that sticks out to them initially is "wow, hey, that guy has no doors," and not "wow, hey that guy has no doors and therefore no mirrors, I should treat him differently than other motorists."

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 11:58

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My Land Rover's doors come off, either in whole or in part as the tops are removable as well. My mirrors stay bolted to the fenders, where they were the whole time, and stay exactly as useful as before. Which is not at all, but still #comeatmebro

CAR_IS_MI > JR1 05/08/2014 at 11:59

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I want to but its a PITA. I would have to pull the bikini, half the rill bar, some of the interior supports and an external support.

CAR_IS_MI > CalzoneGolem 05/08/2014 at 12:00

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This is a fact

CAR_IS_MI > dogisbadob 05/08/2014 at 12:00

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I actually thought about making some...

JR1 > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:01

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Seriously? That is very disappointing. I guess it is for special occasions only.

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:01

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I never really thought about that, I've been in several Wranglers, all with the doors on.

dogisbadob > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:02

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It would be even better if you had a RHD model! I like that they let you buy one like that. RHD and the fender mirrors would be awesome as fuck!

JDM. It's a Jeep thing :p

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/08/2014 at 12:04

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Doors? That's cute.

CalzoneGolem > Party-vi 05/08/2014 at 12:04

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I feel like this needs eyelashes.

Tekamul > dogisbadob 05/08/2014 at 12:08

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Came here to say that. The WTF faces from other Jeep drivers would be worth it.

CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis 05/08/2014 at 12:10

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I am not asking for special consideration, I am asking for simple safety and a small amount of brain activity. Pacing a car in what would normally be a blind spot instead of keeping a steady speed and continuing to pass is dangerous whether or not mirrors are involved. It just becomes more dangerous when you do it to someone who has no mirrors. Like I said, I don't know if I am just noticing that people do this more frequently now that I do not have mirrors but it is dangerous, period.

CAR_IS_MI > JR1 05/08/2014 at 12:11

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Yea its not quite as simple as the old stuff. Thanks safety regulations!

CAR_IS_MI > jkm7680 05/08/2014 at 12:12

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Doors are only for winter time and cross country road trips. (or when your mother comes to town and complains about the wind...)

CAR_IS_MI > dogisbadob 05/08/2014 at 12:14

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Lol, I had contemplated ordering a RHD one because awesome but it was more of a PITA than anything else. Two of the Jeep dealers didn't know it was even a possibility, and one told me that those were for Canada only... even though its on the US Jeep site...

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:16

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hmm. Why did I always just assume the mirrors were attached to the body not the door? Hey Jeep - here's a dash of logic, stop putting mirrors on removable parts!

Anyhow, I hear you, I don't have a right side view mirror on the Montego and you'd be surprised how many people hang out right next to me in traffic.

Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:18

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I do agree that people should be more aware of when they are in another car's blind spot, especially someone with no mirrors, just because you should be aware of the situation no matter what. But, I think it's unreasonable to expect any different treatment with your doors off in regards to blind spots. Like I said, even most Jeep owners don't consider the lack of mirrors before removing the doors, let alone the 45 year old Realtor in the lane next to you who just gets from A to B, and has no reason to consider what the modifications of the vehicle next to her.

Yes, people should be more attentive on the whole, but doorless jeeps are not near common enough for this to be a real thing people know and consider, especially when many who ride with their doors off regularly have aftermarket mirrors anyway.

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 05/08/2014 at 12:20

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I can deal with the cars being next to me, but the new 'hang out spot' is so their headlight is right next to my tail light, literally the most difficult place to see them in and judge how close to me they are in a quick turn of the head.

Party-vi > CalzoneGolem 05/08/2014 at 12:23

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I feel like I don't like you anymore.

Slighty_Less_Cooler_190e > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:24

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Well you can take the doors off anything granted your having enough fun in the process to do so.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:26

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Yeah that's what I meant.

I also have a giant b pillar back there to block entire cars. See, no right side mirror, giant wide pillar.

What kills me is it's soo loud at my bumper I don't know why anyone would hang there lol

CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis 05/08/2014 at 12:29

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but doorless jeeps are not near common enough for this to be a real thing people know and consider

Come out here, every 7th car is a Jeep and every 3rd Jeep has no doors... But we live in a desert so rain is not a thing.

But, I think it's unreasonable to expect any different treatment with your doors off in regards to blind spots.

Anywho, again, I am not asking for special treatment, I bring this up, again, because I am just now noticing it more, now that I have no mirrors.

CalzoneGolem > Party-vi 05/08/2014 at 12:29

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Anymore? Bitch, please.

Party-vi > CalzoneGolem 05/08/2014 at 12:32

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I lied this is amazing.

Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:37

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I don't mean to be argumentative, but this:

"So why, I ask, why, do you insist on driving in what would be my blind spot should I have mirrors? Do you not realize it becomes more of a blind spot when I don't have mirrors?"

Sounds like you're asking for special treatment based on how you have your Jeep configured at the time. Other than that, I agree with you 100%.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/08/2014 at 12:46

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Didn't we convert your Series to a pickup for giggles one time? I think it was while you were refinishing the safari roof.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs 05/08/2014 at 12:47

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Yes. Yes we did.

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 05/08/2014 at 12:48

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So clearly, since a Jeep is not convertible to a pickup simply by replacing the roof, the only rational option for LR owners to this is #comeatmebro

CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis 05/08/2014 at 12:52

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The question was based more on awareness than personal situation. As in, are you aware you are pacing in a persons blind spot? are you aware that this vehicle next to you has no form of viewing your position other than you relying on the driver of said vehicles awareness?

I would ask these same questions to people whom pace at the coupler on a semi truck.

lonestranger > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:54

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"...law here does not require side mirrors..."

Weird. Most jurisdictions require a driver's side mirror on all vehicles, and at least an unobstructed rearview mirror or a passenger's side one. Then again, most places require doors if the vehicle was originally so equipped...

CAR_IS_MI > lonestranger 05/08/2014 at 12:58

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Actually, most states do not have a regulation on doors. But doors often contain required safety equipment, which is where you end up getting screwed. Most states now require a centralized rear view mirror and one side mounted rear view mirror. Nevada does not give two shits about your safety. I can get a car with a soap box for a seat to pass inspection as long as it passes SMOG. The official law on mirrors is that any vehicle manufactured after 1975 must contain a minimum of one rear view facing mirror. It could be of side placement or central, just as long as you have one mirror pointing back.

Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 12:59

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True, everyone should be aware of the driver's vision, no matter what. Unfortunately, not enough people consider this enough.

CAR_IS_MI > Garrett Davis 05/08/2014 at 13:01

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Yes, so that was my point basically broken down to simplest of forms; be aware of your surroundings and your relation to them.

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI 05/08/2014 at 17:46

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Hahaha, It's always somewhat enjoyable when a makeup smothered lady friend is in your car and you decide to roll the windows down. The reactions are priceless.

Simplify, then add beer > CAR_IS_MI 05/09/2014 at 01:25

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Interestingly I find the reverse when I run doorless/mirrorless. Having no mirrors means I have to turn my head a lot more instead of using the mirror, which means there is no blind spot.

CAR_IS_MI > Simplify, then add beer 05/09/2014 at 10:05

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It's more or less just a bad visibility spot. literally the last place your eyes make it too when you turn your head and there's a big roll bar right there too so on a quick glance it makes it hard to judge vehicle placement.

eggs and marmalade > CAR_IS_MI 08/19/2015 at 16:23

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Or you know, just keep your fucking side mirrors on and don’t make other people compromise because you wanted to feel cool and rip your door off.