Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

Hi, has anyone ever swapped from clam shell hatch to barn doors? are there big modifications involved? any advice would be appreciated.

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

did the swap on mine

no big deal..the knockouts are there for the barn door hinges...I believe I had to drill for the bottom latch but that was it

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

I'm about to do the swap the other way. Care to do a little parts swapping?

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

i know my dad wanted to go to panel doors on his 87 burb and found out the required reinforcement wasn't even behind the sheetmetal in the door jams. it would have required a lot of cutting and fab work, so we put up with the lousy electric window that retracts into the lower tailgate for 10 years. apparently you guys are lucky in that gm was thinking more clearly in earlier years. on an 73-91, panel doors are the only way to go, but i like the tailgate on my 72. panel doors are more convenient for loading stuff and especially helpful with a trailer hitched up!

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

It is much tougher to go from doors to gate. The burbs with doors do not have provisions for the gate hinges on the floor threshold. You will need to cut that piece from a gate burb and weld it into yours.

I have however seen many people converting gate to doors.

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

Here are a few pictures to go with Long Roof's above post, this burb was originally a gate & hatch setup before being converted to barn doors. The last picture shows a removed barn door to bumper filler panel. :chevy:

Re: Burb hatch to barn doors.
 

hey classic bowties.....looks like you need to get a sandblaster with a fine nozzles....little sheetmetal cancer to take care of (i'm in the same boat w/ just a couple little blemishes).

personally, i'd just stick with whatever the truck came with originally. i prefer the tailgate on this era and my truck has the gate (that was not the selling factor), but if i had a truck with panel doors it would be very useful and they are the preffered choice if you have a panel truck as suburbans are dual purpose (family tailgating parties) whereas panels are best for the working man.

long roof....don't get any ideas....that burb in your sig is just plain gorgeous the way she is.