At the 2017 Moab Easter Jeep® Safari, the Jeep and Mopar brands unveiled the Jeep Switchback Concept. Based on the previous generation Wrangler (JK), the Switchback featured a number of Jeep Performance Parts (JPP) from the Mopar catalog along with a few conceptual items that Mopar unveiled for customer feedback. Among those conceptual parts, were a set of conceptual half-doors that featured massive openings in the middle of them and gave the passengers even more of an open-air experience with the added protection of having the doors on the vehicle.
At the introduction of the Jeep® Wrangler (JL) back at the L.A. Auto Show in 2017, Jeep unveiled its all-new Wrangler with another set of half-doors. This time, the new conceptual set of half-door featured a clear panel that could be removed from the center of doors. Jeep went on to say that the half-door design would be available in 2019, however, the design would never make it into production.
Shortly after the announcement in L.A., both the Jeep and Mopar brands showcased another set of half-doors at the 2018 Mopar Easter Jeep Safari on the Jeep Jeepster Concept. That set of half-doors would not feature an opening in the middle and would be closer to what would eventually make it into production in 2021.
When Ford Motor Company unveiled its all-new 2021 Ford Bronco last year, the first admirable Wrangler competitor in years showed off its own conceptual half-doors. The Bronco’s half-door design was very close to the original Jeep design on the Switchback Concept from back in 2017. Unfortunately for Bronco fans, that half-door design would also not see the light of day.
Recently, The Drive was surfing through some recently patent items from Stellantis North America and found a set of images regarding the half-door design from the Switchback Concept. The patent for the doors was originally applied for on May 25th, 2017, but until recently (December 7th, 2021) it was finally approved. While the patent doesn’t mean that the design will go into production, Jeep can at least protect a design it thought up years ago.
We would love to see the half-door design with removable panels make it into production. It was an interesting idea and pushes the design of the JL even further. With a mid-cycle-action (MCA) for the Wrangler JL due in 2023, Jeep might still have a few tricks up its sleeve for its iconic off-roader.
What do you think of the conceptual half-door designs? Do you like the open design concept? Or would you like to see a removable like the original half-door design at debuted on the Wrangler JL? Let us know in the comments below or in the MoparInsiders.com forums.
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