Burb hatch to barn doors. - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

decade22ten · 08-12-2009, 12:08 PM

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

CharlieBrown · 08-13-2009, 06:31 PM

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

boostat4500 · 08-13-2009, 08:04 PM

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

capev86 · 08-14-2009, 01:30 PM

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!

Long Roof · 08-14-2009, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boostat4500

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

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.

Classic Bowties · 08-14-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Long Roof

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.

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.

capev86 · 08-14-2009, 05:46 PM

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.

08-12-2009, 12:08 PM	#1
decade22ten Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: houston,texas Posts: 103	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.

08-13-2009, 06:31 PM	#2
CharlieBrown Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Van Buren Arkansas Posts: 137	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 __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super..owned since 1978 1972 Surburban 4x4 1972 Cheyenne 4x4 3/4 ton.....sold 1972 Cheyenne 2wd...named Death Row

08-13-2009, 08:04 PM	#3
boostat4500 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Reno, NV Posts: 346	Re: Burb hatch to barn doors. I'm about to do the swap the other way. Care to do a little parts swapping? __________________ 1971 Suburban 4x4, LQ4 6.0L, 4L80E, etc.

08-14-2009, 01:30 PM	#4
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	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!

08-14-2009, 05:46 PM	#7
capev86 Registered User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Eliot, Maine Posts: 1,314	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.



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