The very top of the door height, just the first 1/4", is 71 1/8" and the rest of the door including cabinet is 70 3/4". I understand your dilemma of only having a 70" clearance. You might be able to trim the bottom of your upper cabinet. We had to remove ours. Much to our surprise the refrigerator looks so attractive we don't even miss the upper cabinet and will not replace it.