How to Install Vertical Doors, Inc. Door Conversion Kits

Use the vehicle finder above to open the installation guide for your exact vehicle. This page explains the installation process shared by Vertical Doors, Inc. door conversion kits. Always use it together with the instructions supplied with your specific VDI kit.

How VDI door conversion kits work

A vehicle-specific Vertical Doors, Inc. kit retains the vehicle’s factory front doors and replaces the factory hinge assemblies with VDI hinge assemblies. After installation, each door opens outward to the designed stopping point and then raises vertically.

The instructions supplied with the exact kit control the installation. This page provides the shared workflow and important checkpoints, but it does not replace the vehicle-specific instructions.

What to do before installation

• Confirm the vehicle year, make, model, body style and VDI part number.
• Read the complete instructions supplied with the kit before removing any vehicle component.
• Compare the hinges, shocks, hardware and retainers with the contents identified in the instructions.
• Use a clean, level and well-lit workspace.
• Protect painted surfaces, glass, trim and the interior before beginning work.
• Follow the vehicle manufacturer’s power-disconnection and service procedures.
• Have a qualified helper available to support the factory door.
• Photograph and measure the original door gaps, alignment and striker relationship.
• Organize removed fasteners by panel and location.

Door support and alignment, wiring protection, body-panel removal, grinding, trimming and final clearance checks require appropriate automotive experience. Use a qualified installer if you are not comfortable completing and verifying this work.

General VDI installation process

Follow the sequence, specifications and illustrations supplied with your exact kit. The general workflow is:

1. Document the factory door position. Record the horizontal and vertical alignment, door gaps and latch-to-striker relationship before loosening the factory hinges.
2. Access the factory hinge area. Remove only the panels, trim, lighting and other components identified in the vehicle-specific instructions.
3. Prepare and protect the wiring. Establish the wiring movement shown in the VDI instructions. Protect the harness from tension, pinching, abrasion and moving hinge components.
4. Support the factory door. Secure it in the recorded position using protected supports and a qualified helper.
5. Remove the factory hinges. Keep the door supported and preserve its original position while removing the factory hardware.
6. Install the VDI hinge assembly. Position the correct left- or right-side hinge at the factory mounting points and install the supplied hardware as directed.
7. Restore horizontal alignment first. Adjust the closed-door position so the latch meets the striker correctly and the recorded factory gaps are restored. The door should not need to be lifted, dropped, slammed or forced closed.
8. Prepare and install the VDI shock. Fully support the raised door and follow the supplied instructions for the shock, shoulder bolt, spherical bearing, lubrication, threadlocker and retainers.
9. Set vertical travel and verify clearance. Slowly cycle the door outward, upward, downward and closed. Confirm that the hinge, shock, wiring, panels, door and trim remain clear throughout the movement.
10. Protect the final wiring path and reassemble. Secure the wiring, finish and protect any required clearance work, and reinstall panels only after verifying complete door movement.
11. Repeat and inspect the opposite side. Align, adjust, lubricate and verify each side independently.

Essential VDI Tech Tips

Watch these Vertical Doors, Inc. Tech Tips before installing or adjusting a VDI kit. Continue to follow the instructions supplied with your vehicle-specific kit.

View all Vertical Doors, Inc. Tech Tips

Final installation checks

Do not drive the vehicle until both doors have been completely inspected and repeatedly cycled through their full movement.

• Each door opens outward to the designed stopping point before being raised.
• Each door lowers completely before closing inward.
• Each latch meets its striker without slamming, lifting, dropping or forcing the door.
• The closed-door alignment and panel gaps match the recorded factory position.
• The hinge, shock, wiring, door, body panels and trim remain clear through the full movement.
• No wire is stretched, pinched, exposed to a sharp edge or routed through a moving joint.
• All specified hardware, locking nuts, shoulder bolts, retaining pins and retainers are secure.
• All lubrication points identified in the supplied instructions are complete.
• Every electrical function disconnected during installation works normally.

Common installation questions

Can I install a Vertical Doors, Inc. kit myself?

A mechanically experienced installer can complete many VDI installations by following the supplied vehicle-specific instructions. Professional installation is the better choice if you are not experienced with body-panel removal, door support and alignment, wiring protection, grinding, trimming or final clearance checks.

Does the kit replace the factory doors?

No. A vehicle-specific VDI kit retains the factory front doors and replaces the factory hinge assemblies with VDI hinge assemblies.

Do the converted doors still open outward?

Yes. Open the door outward to the designed stopping point before raising it vertically. Lower the door completely before closing it inward.

Can I use another vehicle’s installation guide?

Another guide may help explain the general workflow, but it cannot replace the instructions supplied with your exact VDI kit. Mounting points, hardware, adjustments, wiring routes and clearance requirements can differ by vehicle and body style.

What if my vehicle or hardware does not match the instructions?

Stop the installation and contact Vertical Doors, Inc. Have the vehicle year, make, model, body style, VDI part number, proof of purchase and clear photographs or video available.

Installation resources and contact