Barn Door Swap Help... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GMCjunkie · 10-01-2003, 07:40 AM

My 71 Burb came with tail gate/hatch doors, a while back I bought barn doors, Ive been slowly but surely working on getting these barn doors ready to go on, BUT. Does anyone have a bolt by bolt "morons" explanation WITH illustrations of how to do the swap??? If this entails way too much, I may consider TRADING my barn doors for another set of gate/hatch doors, the ones on my truck are SHOT and I need to do something with them SOON.
Any help/info is GREATLY appreciated..

Also, any one CLOSE enough to me, that has "barn door swap knowledge" to actually come and help me with this possible endeavor, Id LOVE to talk to you!!! Im in Valdosta Ga, 30 minits from the Fla line..

Thanks,
junk

oldsub86 · 10-01-2003, 10:00 AM

If it were me, I think I would try to find a better set of the original style and not try to swap to barn doors. A number of reasons - first off, I like the look of the tailgate much better - it looks more station wagon like and less work truck like - second - you get better visability through the upper hatch glass - the barn doors have a big amount of metal in the middle and two small windows to look out of - third - barn doors are not wonderful either - My 86 Suburban had barn doors and they caused me a fair bit of trouble over the 10 years that I had it. I paid big dollars for a new set of the rubber door seals from the dealer and still could not keep the doors sealed properly. You might not have the same problems given the warmer climate but I had problems with the seals soaking up water, and then freezing. If I opened the doors in winter, I could not close them again properly because the frozen rubber would not give enough.
Do it the easy way - replace what you have with stuff that will just bolt on. There must be someone out there with a need for barn doors and you can sell the ones you have acquired.

Mark540 · 10-01-2003, 12:50 PM

GMCjunkie, I am not an expert at this because I have never done it myself, but I know the bottom sills are different because of the hinge on the lift gate model. I have heard it is easier to go to barn doors rather than the other way around because of this. The only real issue would be sealing in that area. The mounting holes on the side should be there with plastic caps over the holes and slots for the hinge to go into the body. Check this out to make sure it is true, if they are not there it is a way bigger project than it would be worth I would think. Other than that the mounting of the door catches and struts is the only other thing. If you need a reference to where these are located let me know and I will take some pictures of my setup for you.

Mark

GMCjunkie · 10-01-2003, 08:14 PM

t-t-t

jose · 10-01-2003, 09:39 PM

I did the swap on mine and you are going to need all of the latches that bolt up to the body . I think there is three two for passenger one top and one bottom and i one on top of driver side . Some bolts that hold the hinge from below are a ***** to take out because of the frame . Aligning the doors should be fairly easy . Your going to need a drill a couple of bits and some new screws for your latches . I am not much on detail but it should get you started .

If i was closer i would help you Jody

GMCjunkie · 10-02-2003, 07:45 AM

Thanks for the info y'all, Im now torn between installing the barn doors or replacing the set up I have,...

**Yukon Jack** · 10-02-2003, 10:41 AM

Hey Jodie, nothing for me to add on the swap issue, but I sure would lean towards staying with what you have unless you have a good reason to change. My Yukon has the barn doors and the interference in the rear view mirror is a bit bothersome.

You have the barn doors so you would have to sell them and find a good set of the other, right?

Dan72cst · 10-02-2003, 04:31 PM

I just bought a 68 suburban with barn doors and it came with another pair. I have never done the swap, but will offer pictures and possibly some of the hardware.

As far as whether to do it or not is up to you and what you prefer. Obviously there are people that are going to like one way and not the other and vic versa. I prefer the look of the barn doors. Also I don't like the hatch on my blazer although the view is good, it rattles and squeaks and is a pain to put something in or out of. I like the barn doors.

Its your truck, make it the way you want.

grebus1 · 10-02-2003, 05:58 PM

You might also look at this thread on the Suburban board:

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=68570

10-01-2003, 07:40 AM	#1
GMCjunkie Dude...I'm a CHICK Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lakeland Georgia Posts: 6,192	Barn Door Swap Help... My 71 Burb came with tail gate/hatch doors, a while back I bought barn doors, Ive been slowly but surely working on getting these barn doors ready to go on, BUT. Does anyone have a bolt by bolt "morons" explanation WITH illustrations of how to do the swap??? If this entails way too much, I may consider TRADING my barn doors for another set of gate/hatch doors, the ones on my truck are SHOT and I need to do something with them SOON. Any help/info is GREATLY appreciated.. Also, any one CLOSE enough to me, that has "barn door swap knowledge" to actually come and help me with this possible endeavor, Id LOVE to talk to you!!! Im in Valdosta Ga, 30 minits from the Fla line.. Thanks, junk __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4

10-01-2003, 10:00 AM	#2
oldsub86 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 695	If it were me, I think I would try to find a better set of the original style and not try to swap to barn doors. A number of reasons - first off, I like the look of the tailgate much better - it looks more station wagon like and less work truck like - second - you get better visability through the upper hatch glass - the barn doors have a big amount of metal in the middle and two small windows to look out of - third - barn doors are not wonderful either - My 86 Suburban had barn doors and they caused me a fair bit of trouble over the 10 years that I had it. I paid big dollars for a new set of the rubber door seals from the dealer and still could not keep the doors sealed properly. You might not have the same problems given the warmer climate but I had problems with the seals soaking up water, and then freezing. If I opened the doors in winter, I could not close them again properly because the frozen rubber would not give enough. Do it the easy way - replace what you have with stuff that will just bolt on. There must be someone out there with a need for barn doors and you can sell the ones you have acquired. __________________ 1968 Chevy - 292 with a powerglide

10-01-2003, 12:50 PM	#3
Mark540 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Fairborn,OH Posts: 203	GMCjunkie, I am not an expert at this because I have never done it myself, but I know the bottom sills are different because of the hinge on the lift gate model. I have heard it is easier to go to barn doors rather than the other way around because of this. The only real issue would be sealing in that area. The mounting holes on the side should be there with plastic caps over the holes and slots for the hinge to go into the body. Check this out to make sure it is true, if they are not there it is a way bigger project than it would be worth I would think. Other than that the mounting of the door catches and struts is the only other thing. If you need a reference to where these are located let me know and I will take some pictures of my setup for you. Mark __________________ 1970 GMC Burb 4x4 - 68 Chevy Front, FI LT1, 4L60E 1970 Chevy Impala 47,000 miles 2001 BMW 540i 6-speed 2002 Dodge Ram 1500 4x4 w/20's

10-01-2003, 08:14 PM	#4
GMCjunkie Dude...I'm a CHICK Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lakeland Georgia Posts: 6,192	t-t-t __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4

10-01-2003, 09:39 PM	#5
jose Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Salem , Oregon 97301 Posts: 1,796	I did the swap on mine and you are going to need all of the latches that bolt up to the body . I think there is three two for passenger one top and one bottom and i one on top of driver side . Some bolts that hold the hinge from below are a ***** to take out because of the frame . Aligning the doors should be fairly easy . Your going to need a drill a couple of bits and some new screws for your latches . I am not much on detail but it should get you started . If i was closer i would help you Jody __________________ 68 GMC 4x4 SWB jose6772@yahoo.com

10-02-2003, 07:45 AM	#6
GMCjunkie Dude...I'm a CHICK Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Lakeland Georgia Posts: 6,192	Thanks for the info y'all, Im now torn between installing the barn doors or replacing the set up I have,... __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* "The unexamined life is not worth living" -Socrates ~~~~~~~~~~~~~* '71 GMC Suburban 4x4

10-02-2003, 10:41 AM	#7
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Hey Jodie, nothing for me to add on the swap issue, but I sure would lean towards staying with what you have unless you have a good reason to change. My Yukon has the barn doors and the interference in the rear view mirror is a bit bothersome. You have the barn doors so you would have to sell them and find a good set of the other, right? __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

10-02-2003, 04:31 PM	#8
Dan72cst Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Lake Stevens,WA 98258 North of Seattle Posts: 833	I just bought a 68 suburban with barn doors and it came with another pair. I have never done the swap, but will offer pictures and possibly some of the hardware. As far as whether to do it or not is up to you and what you prefer. Obviously there are people that are going to like one way and not the other and vic versa. I prefer the look of the barn doors. Also I don't like the hatch on my blazer although the view is good, it rattles and squeaks and is a pain to put something in or out of. I like the barn doors. Its your truck, make it the way you want. __________________ Marysville, WA (Dan72cst@hotmail.com) 72 4wd Blazer CST 350/350 72 4wd Chevy LWB 350/350 68 2wd Chevy LWB 327/400

10-02-2003, 05:58 PM	#9
grebus1 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Edmonds, WA Posts: 322	You might also look at this thread on the Suburban board: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...threadid=68570 __________________ '72 Chevy Suburban Custom Deluxe 10, 402/TH400

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