Adding a John Deere 5 Series Right Side Door Kit
Tractors with enclosed cabs are comfortable, but most come with one small inconvenience: a single point of entry. On my John Deere 5090E, that meant always climbing in and out from the same side—no matter where I parked, what I was hooked up to, or how tight the space was.
On this episode’s mission at Mission Farmstead, I set out to fix that by installing the John Deere right-side cab door kit, giving my tractor true two-side access and a little more everyday luxury.
As with most farm projects, it didn’t go perfectly—but that’s part of the job.
The Mission: Two Doors Are Better Than One
The goal was simple: mirror the left-side cab door on the right side so I could enter and exit from either direction. This upgrade isn’t about flash—it’s about efficiency, safety, and comfort when working long days on the farm.
After unboxing the kit, I immediately ran into my first challenge:
-
No instructions
-
One missing step from the shipment
Thankfully, a quick call to my John Deere dealer got things moving, and they shipped the missing part without hassle. In the meantime, I used the left side of the tractor as my reference point and got to work.
Installing the Steps and Brackets
I started with the step brackets near the fuel tank, loosely bolting everything in place before tightening it down later. This approach gave me flexibility to adjust alignment as I went—especially important when you’re working without instructions.
Through a little trial and error, I realized the steps weren’t interchangeable. One belonged higher up, not at the bottom like I originally assumed. Once positioned correctly, everything lined up cleanly.
Lesson learned: when something doesn’t fit easily, stop forcing it and reassess.
Handles, Rust, and Tight Clearances
Next came the grab handles. A bit of rust inside the mounting holes slowed things down, but working some WD-40 into the threads did the trick.
One design detail stood out here: the handle on this side sticks out farther than the other. At first, it seemed odd—until I realized it was intentional. With the exhaust on this side, John Deere smartly spaced the handle out to keep your hand safely away from heat. Practical engineering at its finest.
Installing the Door, Latch, and Handle
With the steps and handles in place, it was time to focus on the door itself. This part required patience. I removed bolts inside the cab, temporarily supported the glass, and carefully transferred components from the left side to mirror them on the right.
I’ll save you some frustration here:
-
Don’t forget the rubber seals behind the handle
-
Make sure the black backing plate goes on before tightening
-
Double-check latch orientation before locking anything down
I had the handle on and off more times than I’d like to admit—but each mistake made the final install better.
Final Fit and Finish
Once everything was tightened down and aligned, I tested the door. The seal was tight all the way around, the latch engaged smoothly, and the door opened cleanly from inside and out.
The next day, the missing step arrived as promised, completing the kit.
Two doors. One tractor. Job well done.
Why This Upgrade Matters
This wasn’t just about convenience. On a working farm, small upgrades add up:
-
Easier entry in tight spaces
-
Safer access around equipment
-
Less wear on your body over time
It’s a reminder that improving your tools—little by little—makes the work more sustainable in the long run.
Thanks for coming along on this mission. We’ll see you on the next one.