Converting barn door to tailgate

[red310055]

This might been asked before but:

Can you convert your barn doors to a tailgate/lift gate? If so how hard is it? What should you pay for a tailgate/lift gate?

Thanks

[Grandpa54]

Originally Posted by red310055

this might been asked before but:

Can you convert your barn doors to a tailgate/lift gate? If so how hard is it? What should you pay for a tailgate/lift gate?

Thanks

its not just the lift gate, tail gate, its changing where they bolt them to the body. Im in the process of doing it on a panel right know. I had to buy a suburban to get all the parts

[red310055]

Thanks Grandpa54

My burb has all the indents in the body for the tail gate. Is that normal? Also what are the other parts needed?

[Grandpa54]

Originally Posted by red310055

thanks grandpa54

my burb has all the indents in the body for the tail gate. Is that normal? Also what are the other parts needed?

can you send pics?

[red310055]

The burb is at the shop out of town, so I can't get pics right now

[red310055]

Granpa54,

Can you take pics of what mean?

[red310055]

Does anybody know what a tailgate lift gate will cost?

[lucifer]

Originally Posted by red310055

This might been asked before but:

Can you convert your barn doors to a tailgate/lift gate? If so how hard is it? What should you pay for a tailgate/lift gate?

Thanks

I converted my 65 sub from barn doors to tailgate. Mine had plates covering the attachment points for the upper gate and plates covering the attachment points for the tailgate side latches. The rear valance has to be changed for the tailgate hinges to bolt to. I modified my valance to accept the hinges. Really not a big deal to change.

Finding a lower valance was my only problem so I made mine work.

good luck

[red310055]

Thanks for the information Lucfier, do you have pics of the installation?

[lucifer]

Originally Posted by red310055

Thanks for the information Lucfier, do you have pics of the installation?

Sorry I didn't document it very well.

[Nobby]

I did the swap. The tail pan unbolts an there were a couple spot wells. Then I bolted in the tail gate tail pan. Here's a couple pics that might help.

[Nobby]

Here's a better shot of the tail gate pan.

[red310055]

Thanks for the pictures Nobby! Now off to find the parts.

[scootermcrad]

I know this is a pretty old thread, but have some questions and thought it better to bump this than start a new one.

Since this thread was started, has anyone else done the conversion? Have pictures and details of what's involved?

I found a potential project that sounds like it could be everything I want, except the major hang up is it has barn doors and I really want clamshell. I could possibly get the lift and tail gate with the deal, so I wouldn't have to search for parts, I don't think. If I did, it would be minimal. Fabrication is not a big deal for me and I enjoy it. What I see above looks pretty straight forward, but could really use some more info.

Does anyone sell the lower tail pan that has the provisions in it, or will I need to source one from a donor vehicle?

Thanks! Hope it's okay I bumped this.

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by scootermcrad

I know this is a pretty old thread, but have some questions and thought it better to bump this than start a new one.

Since this thread was started, has anyone else done the conversion? Have pictures and details of what's involved?

I found a potential project that sounds like it could be everything I want, except the major hang up is it has barn doors and I really want clamshell. I could possibly get the lift and tail gate with the deal, so I wouldn't have to search for parts, I don't think. If I did, it would be minimal. Fabrication is not a big deal for me and I enjoy it. What I see above looks pretty straight forward, but could really use some more info.

Does anyone sell the lower tail pan that has the provisions in it, or will I need to source one from a donor vehicle?

Thanks! Hope it's okay I bumped this.

I don't think anyone is repoping the sections you need to do the swap. Probably going to have to find a donor vehicle for it. It's basically the same idea, so totally ok to bump this thread back up

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

I don't think anyone is repoping the sections you need to do the swap. Probably going to have to find a donor vehicle for it. It's basically the same idea, so totally ok to bump this thread back up

Yeah, I kinda figured that might be the case. I have a friend with a clamshell Suburban that I could take a closer look at and possibly just modify the existing panel by fabricating the pockets and mounting positions, if I can't find a donor. I need to go look at his before I make any commitments to buying something that needs the conversion.

Thank you!

[cwcarpenter98]

Originally Posted by scootermcrad

Yeah, I kinda figured that might be the case. I have a friend with a clamshell Suburban that I could take a closer look at and possibly just modify the existing panel by fabricating the pockets and mounting positions, if I can't find a donor. I need to go look at his before I make any commitments to buying something that needs the conversion.

Thank you!

Just by looking at the pictures above, it seems like the only difference is the hinge pockets for the clamshell tailgate. You could get all the measurements you need from your friend's burb and just use your existing panel if you have the fabrication skills to do so

[scootermcrad]

Originally Posted by cwcarpenter98

Just by looking at the pictures above, it seems like the only difference is the hinge pockets for the clamshell tailgate. You could get all the measurements you need from your friend's burb and just use your existing panel if you have the fabrication skills to do so

Agreed. Doesn't look too terrible.

[VictoriaHardware]

Don't forget that near the LH hinge there is a depression and hole where the harness for the license lamp goes.