Burban barn door retrofit - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hemikiller · 02-11-2005, 10:40 AM

Hey guys, new to the board, but got that 'burbanitis thing.

I've got 3...

An 84 1500 4X2 Silverado that is headed for the great pasture of truck parts

An 89 1500 4X4 that is waiting for the motor from the 84

and finally, a 91 1500 4X2 that is my daily driver.

Here's my question, anyone ever retrofit a set of barn doors on a tailgate 'burb?

The 91's rear sill is rotted and I HATE tailgates. The 84 has one and was always a PITA with the window or for unloading stuff from the back. I can get a new rear sill from the local body parts shop, but I would love to retrofit a set of barn doors onto the '91. What all, besides the sill and doors, would I need for such a swap? If anyone's ever done this, your advice would be appreciated.

King-Suburban · 03-12-2005, 08:07 PM

This is not an easy undertaking as the two bodies are totally different. The reinforcing gussets inside the panels are totally different. It would be cheapper and easier to replace the whole body...

u2slow · 03-13-2005, 12:31 PM

I've been thinking of renting a chop-saw and visiting a PYP wrecking yard to chop the arse off an gutted Burb. Can't be too costly, and it would give you a template to work with too.

*bisquik65* · 03-13-2005, 10:02 PM

I had an 80 burb with tailgate and switched it over. You just need to weld in the lower panel where the barn door latches are,I have that panel cut out here allready,I am parting 3 burb out and have parts.

u2slow · 03-13-2005, 11:00 PM

The swap is easy on older bodies... from around '83-up they stopped putting in the reinforcing plates to hold the hinges.

Hemikiller · 03-18-2005, 12:20 PM

Thanks for the hints guys. I have a friend that just put his '88 3/4 ton up for sale (CHEAP) and it's a barn door truck. Hmmmm......

02-11-2005, 10:40 AM	#1
Hemikiller Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Killingworth, CT Posts: 30	Burban barn door retrofit Hey guys, new to the board, but got that 'burbanitis thing. I've got 3... An 84 1500 4X2 Silverado that is headed for the great pasture of truck parts An 89 1500 4X4 that is waiting for the motor from the 84 and finally, a 91 1500 4X2 that is my daily driver. Here's my question, anyone ever retrofit a set of barn doors on a tailgate 'burb? The 91's rear sill is rotted and I HATE tailgates. The 84 has one and was always a PITA with the window or for unloading stuff from the back. I can get a new rear sill from the local body parts shop, but I would love to retrofit a set of barn doors onto the '91. What all, besides the sill and doors, would I need for such a swap? If anyone's ever done this, your advice would be appreciated.

03-12-2005, 08:07 PM	#2
King-Suburban Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Jamestown, NY Posts: 10	This is not an easy undertaking as the two bodies are totally different. The reinforcing gussets inside the panels are totally different. It would be cheapper and easier to replace the whole body... __________________ 2007 crewcab SS Duramax Dooley 1990 2500 Suburban 9" lift w/ 38 Swamper TSL's 1966 Chevelle Joe BURBEN

03-13-2005, 12:31 PM	#3
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	I've been thinking of renting a chop-saw and visiting a PYP wrecking yard to chop the arse off an gutted Burb. Can't be too costly, and it would give you a template to work with too. __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

03-13-2005, 10:02 PM	#4
bisquik65 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.C. high country Posts: 6,107	I had an 80 burb with tailgate and switched it over. You just need to weld in the lower panel where the barn door latches are,I have that panel cut out here allready,I am parting 3 burb out and have parts. Attached Images

03-13-2005, 11:00 PM	#5
u2slow Web Wheeler Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: BC, Canada, eh? Posts: 388	The swap is easy on older bodies... from around '83-up they stopped putting in the reinforcing plates to hold the hinges. __________________ '66 C10 longstep - Clifford equiped '84 C20 Suburban 6.2L - awaiting 4x4 conversion '91 V3500 Crewcab - awaiting diesel swap

03-18-2005, 12:20 PM	#6
Hemikiller Registered User Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Killingworth, CT Posts: 30	Thanks for the hints guys. I have a friend that just put his '88 3/4 ton up for sale (CHEAP) and it's a barn door truck. Hmmmm...... __________________ Wise man once told me; "Don't show me what you know, show me what you don't know" Nothing worthwhile is ever easy Present Stable: 73 C-30 CrewCab Dually 4X2 91 4X2 'burban 89 4X4 'burban 84 4x2 'burban (R.I.P.)



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