I just use a small falt head screwdriver and insert in the the middel above the red tab. Works every time

 

Just my two cents, but I also had a very hard time the first time I tried taking the doors off. I can now go from full soft top up and doors on, to full doors off and soft top rolled up and hanging in my garage, as well as add aux mirror (or vice versa) in under 30 minutes. (I have a 2 door.)

The tabs took forever to figure out the first time. But they are easy once you have done it and know how (I concur with the others who say this). The red tabs need to be clicked over (towards the rear to take off, I believe), and then just a little pressure on the middle black tab, and pull down.

For the doors, I then roll down the windows, and reach in from the outside to unhook the the door stop strap. It is easy when the door is shut as there is plenty of slack. My doors then come out very easily ONCE I SWING THEM CLOSE TO 90 DEGREES. They do not come straight up unless you swing them out some. I then carry them from the outside, with one hand holding the mirror and the other hand reaching inside the window to the interior handle.

But yes, it took some trial and error, but once you've done it, it seems remarkably easy. Hope that description saves someone some time.

 

I don't know if it's easier on mine, but today I gave it a shot during lunch at work.

Just pushed the red tab to the side until it clicked. then squeezed the bottom of the cable, and it came right out.

I tried the drivers side first, but I couldn't see, so I moved to the passenger side. You can see it better, and it makes it 10x easier.

 

Not exactly true. It depends on which side of the vehicle you are on. All the connectors are the same and therefore the slide moves in the same direction. I may be backwards... but I think it is to the rear on the right and to the front on the left. I'll have to go out and check later! (rule of thumb, if it don't go one way... try the other! Also there is a little bump on the slide that tells you that this is the side you pull.)

The red lock tab was never the issue for me.. it was that damn middle connector button that always gave me fits! I have it down to a science now... I can pull all my doors off in less than 10 minutes. ( I leave my nuts out! )

 

GroundRat, you jogged my memory, and I think you are correct. The clip is the same, so it is to the rear on one and to the front on the other. I think this is why I had a little trouble before. But you are right, if it doesn't come off easily on one side, clip the red tab to the other side and it should work fine.

I'm still working off memory as my doors are still off, but I think pressing the red clips left (as you face the clip) is the direction you want before taking the doors off. But someone else will need to confirm this.

 

I cut out the black tab/button. You can use the orange/red tab to lock and unlock. Don't need the black tab/button.

Now, all I have to do is unlock the orange tab and simply pull out! It's so much easier!

BTW, this (pic) is the unlock position.

 

I feel like a foo, I took the time today to check it out on my lunch hour and all ( but the one I broke) came appart with no effort at all, I was trying to take the conector appart from the "RONG" spot.....I was trying to remove the top portion (where the cables connect to the plug) instead of taking the plug appart.... , thanks to all who tried to open my eyes....damn I feel like the 1st time I did an oil change in my life, I left the pan under the car (16 years old) and drove right over it........
thanks, merci, arigato, gracias

 

Great idea! Thanks!!

 

Yeah - good idea breaking the black tab thing off. It is such a pain! I think I'll have to do that before I put my doors back on.

HEK mentioned that the temp dropped to 54º. I say, keep the top and doors off unless it's snowing or storming :toung:. Speaking of rain, I ended up with about 3 inches of water in my JK last weekend. That's when I discovered all the drain plugs.

Bit of advice: The plugs in the jack storage and hidden storage compartment should be removed and stored in the glove box. I am even considering cutting a hole in the carpet in the bottom of the hidden storage just above the drains. If you keep tools and a first aid kit in those places like I do, you'll get rusty tools and ruined band-aids when they fill with water.

 

I agree. I pulled all the drain plugs I could get to on my 2 door. And admittedly, this is a bit off topic, but does anyone know how to get to the front drivers side or rear passenger side drain plugs without ripping up all the carpet? I was able to get to all of them but these 2 or 3. Better than nothing, but those tubs may still fill up. I just can't get around the gas tank (rear passenger side) or the metal pan under the drivers feet. Any suggestions?