Difference(s) between factory half doors?

[chili_pepper]

In looking at replacement half door shells, it seems there are two versions, '97-'02 and '03-'06. I bought a used set but have no idea how to tell which version they are so I can replace with the proper one.

Does anyone have a solid idea what the difference is between them?

 

[Apparition]

Curious to know also

 

[PurpleTJAZ]

Not sure but my half doors have been on an 05, 04 and now a 98. I think there is a difference in the lock cylinders lever/arm.

 

[chili_pepper]

This is the response I got from the vendor/manufacturer:

The main difference between the 1997-2002 and 2003-2006 Jeep Wrangler TJ half doors lies in the door handle and lock mechanism. The 2003-2006 models have a larger lockset opening compared to the earlier models. Additionally, the interior door panels are not interchangeable between the two generations. If you have any additional questions please let us know. Thanks!

I guess it helps me figure where to look, but still no idea which I have. The lockset and door car thing is of some concern.

 

[chili_pepper]

Found this on the interwebs, would seem to confirm the lock cylinder statement...

I swapped doors with someone - I got his 97 (I think) half doors, he got my 06 full doors. We swapped the mirrors back, as they were different (but the mounting holes were the same). We also swapped the lock cylinders back - I had to enlarge the hole on the 97 door to make the 06 lock fit, and he had to deal with a very loose-fitting lock.

I'm going to see what the diameter of the cylinder is on the ratty half doors I have, maybe worth a cross reference to my '05 full door cylinders...

 

[PurpleTJAZ]

Sounds about right. When I got the doors one was missing a cylinder. It took a couple tries to get on to fit and I still ended up switching the levers to get them to function properly and then rekeying them to match. Traded them to a friend and ended up eventually getting them back minus the keys.

 

[chili_pepper]

I'm going to see what the diameter of the cylinder is on the ratty half doors I have, maybe worth a cross reference to my '05 full door cylinders...

Well, so much for super-sleuthing. Turns out I still had the text message exchange with the person I bought the half doors from last year...apparently I was on that day and asked if the doors were original to the Jeep and what year that Jeep was, the answers "Yes" and "1997".

Feeling fairly safe going with the early door shells then.

 

[sierradmax]

IIRC, you have to file down the 03-06 mirrors to fit over the hinges.. Or vice-Versa.. Can't recall off the top of my head.

 

[chili_pepper]

IIRC, you have to file down the 03-06 mirrors to fit over the hinges.. Or vice-Versa.. Can't recall off the top of my head.

I've got a set of later hinges and mirrors.

 

[Viking Jeeper]

After parts sitting on the shelf for a couple years I am back to my half door project. Right now in my garage I have an early interior panel on an 06 door so I dont believe that part. The door is brand new from Key Parts but I did specifically order the 03-06 version.

I have full factory doors, this is all about half doors.

Does anyone have a lead on proper door lock cylinders? I see Amazon has a few but looking for recommendations.

 

[Tob]

See the thread below. Lots of good and relevant information to posts in this thread.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/how-to-re-key-half-door-lock-cylinders.26338/

 

[chili_pepper]

The door is brand new from Key Parts

I can't speak to the door cards or lock cylinders, the half doors I got were early so I ordered the early version and they appear to match up 100%. As for Key Parts, check out the link that follows.

Post in thread 'Half doors are hard to find'

Jul 11, 2025

WOW. saving that link. this is going to help with my restoration big time. thanks

Couple of additional notes on this. JL Fab gets their parts from a place nearby in Virginia called Key Parts. You can purchase the same parts directly from Key for even less. You can purchase directly from Key on their website or via Ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/str/keypartsinc

However, I did this just recently (via Ebay through Key Parts) and ran into an issue that I think bears mention to the community. If you buy these half door shells (or some other body part), do yourself a favor and...

• chili_pepper

• 

 

[Viking Jeeper]

I can't speak to the door cards or lock cylinders, the half doors I got were early so I ordered the early version and they appear to match up 100%. As for Key Parts, check out the link that follows.

Post in thread 'Half doors are hard to find'

Jul 11, 2025

WOW. saving that link. this is going to help with my restoration big time. thanks

Couple of additional notes on this. JL Fab gets their parts from a place nearby in Virginia called Key Parts. You can purchase the same parts directly from Key for even less. You can purchase directly from Key on their website or via Ebay.

https://www.ebay.com/str/keypartsinc

However, I did this just recently (via Ebay through Key Parts) and ran into an issue that I think bears mention to the community. If you buy these half door shells (or some other body part), do yourself a favor and...

• chili_pepper

• 

I appreciate the information. I bought these a few years ago from eBay and never got around to harvesting the parts from the other set I had. I no longer see the new versions on eBay and I 'm not quite sure which I have. They do seem to be thinner metal than the first set I have.

Soon I will have two door skins and a few (far from all) the parts needed to put together a set for sale.

 

[chili_pepper]

I bought these a few years ago from eBay

It may have been before they got the license deal with Mopar, I think that is fairly recent.

Soon I will have two door skins and a few (far from all) the parts needed to put together a set for sale.

That's my issue at the moment, I have most of the parts for a 2nd set to sell....but I think the missing parts are not as easy to come by.

 

[chili_pepper]

Right now in my garage I have an early interior panel on an 06 door so I dont believe that part. The door is brand new from Key Parts but I did specifically order the 03-06 version.

Your disbelief may not have been unwarranted. According to the person who allegedly designed the licensed Key Parts half doors, the only difference in regards to the door shell sheet metal has to do with the lock cylinders...the door cards should fit as long as they're TJ halfs.

Just thought I'd add that to the thread for the sake of any future forum searches regarding half doors.