Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

KC_Goose · 10-23-2010, 11:47 PM

I have a 68' Panel Truck that has the barn doors on it and i really like the tailgate and hatch better. is it possible to switch the barn doors over and does anyone know how much would be involved..

thanks

*sharpie1972* · 10-24-2010, 10:24 AM

All of the suburbans have the provisions for either set-up. I'm assuming panels would too. A picture would confirm that. You should have empty slots for hinges top and bottom filled with rubber plugs if it does. Your best bet is to find a donor with every piece you need or someone who is willing to strip everything and ship. Then it's just a matter of bolting the pieces on. Sharpie

KC_Goose · 10-24-2010, 02:56 PM

Sharpie

Thanks for the info. I will check it out

rsavage · 10-24-2010, 05:56 PM

I have a 70 Burb with Barn Doors. I also have a hatch and tailgate I was planning to install in lieu of the barn doors. However, the sill plate and the header plate do not have the slotted provisions for the hinges on the gates. I don't believe that the sill and header are bolt in pieces, at least it doesn't look like it to me. It looks like there are plates in the side jams for the lifts and latches, but I believe you will be stymied by the header and sill.

*sharpie1972* · 10-25-2010, 01:00 AM

rsavage might be right. I have a burb with barn doors.... but it was converted from a hatch. Might be able to go that way, but not the other way???? Sharpie

**Hart_Rod** · 10-25-2010, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sharpie1972

rsavage might be right. I have a burb with barn doors.... but it was converted from a hatch. Might be able to go that way, but not the other way???? Sharpie

Rsavage is correct. However that sill pieces is bolt in and you can swap one from a tailgate burb.

KC_Goose · 10-25-2010, 05:40 PM

I just checked out my panel and there are not any provisions for the hatch and tailgate. The upper head peice looks to be bolted in but the lower sill plate seems to be welded in place. Hopefully I can find a decent set of header and sill peices when I find a tailgate and hatch.

CharlieBrown · 10-25-2010, 06:29 PM

If it came with a hatch/tailgate..then there are knockouts for the barn doors

if it came with barn doors there are no blanks for the tailgate/hatch

KC_Goose · 10-26-2010, 12:36 AM

Thanks for the help guys..Now its time for me to find a decent gate and hatch and work on the conversion..

*sharpie1972* · 10-26-2010, 12:54 AM

The lower piece is bolted in, but.... it's large and a little complicated to get out. I cut the frame rails to drop it out the bottom of a parts burb. If yours is still on the frame you may have to lift the body up to get it out. Sharpie

10-23-2010, 11:47 PM	#1
KC_Goose Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northern California Posts: 39	Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help I have a 68' Panel Truck that has the barn doors on it and i really like the tailgate and hatch better. is it possible to switch the barn doors over and does anyone know how much would be involved.. thanks

10-24-2010, 10:24 AM	#2
sharpie1972 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Powell, Wyoming Posts: 4,973	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help All of the suburbans have the provisions for either set-up. I'm assuming panels would too. A picture would confirm that. You should have empty slots for hinges top and bottom filled with rubber plugs if it does. Your best bet is to find a donor with every piece you need or someone who is willing to strip everything and ship. Then it's just a matter of bolting the pieces on. Sharpie

10-24-2010, 02:56 PM	#3
KC_Goose Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northern California Posts: 39	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help Sharpie Thanks for the info. I will check it out

10-24-2010, 05:56 PM	#4
rsavage Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Alden NY Posts: 2,705	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help I have a 70 Burb with Barn Doors. I also have a hatch and tailgate I was planning to install in lieu of the barn doors. However, the sill plate and the header plate do not have the slotted provisions for the hinges on the gates. I don't believe that the sill and header are bolt in pieces, at least it doesn't look like it to me. It looks like there are plates in the side jams for the lifts and latches, but I believe you will be stymied by the header and sill. __________________ 1961 C1 Corvette 1959 El Camino 350 TPI, 9" 4 w disc 69 Blazer K5 - sold July '20 2021 Durango RT 5.7

10-25-2010, 01:00 AM	#5
sharpie1972 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Powell, Wyoming Posts: 4,973	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help rsavage might be right. I have a burb with barn doors.... but it was converted from a hatch. Might be able to go that way, but not the other way???? Sharpie

10-25-2010, 05:40 PM	#7
KC_Goose Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northern California Posts: 39	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help I just checked out my panel and there are not any provisions for the hatch and tailgate. The upper head peice looks to be bolted in but the lower sill plate seems to be welded in place. Hopefully I can find a decent set of header and sill peices when I find a tailgate and hatch.

10-25-2010, 06:29 PM	#8
CharlieBrown Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Van Buren Arkansas Posts: 137	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help If it came with a hatch/tailgate..then there are knockouts for the barn doors if it came with barn doors there are no blanks for the tailgate/hatch __________________ 1972 Cheyenne Super..owned since 1978 1972 Surburban 4x4 1972 Cheyenne 4x4 3/4 ton.....sold 1972 Cheyenne 2wd...named Death Row

10-26-2010, 12:36 AM	#9
KC_Goose Registered User Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Northern California Posts: 39	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help Thanks for the help guys..Now its time for me to find a decent gate and hatch and work on the conversion..

10-26-2010, 12:54 AM	#10
sharpie1972 Account Suspended Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Powell, Wyoming Posts: 4,973	Re: Barn door / Tailgate Hatch Help The lower piece is bolted in, but.... it's large and a little complicated to get out. I cut the frame rails to drop it out the bottom of a parts burb. If yours is still on the frame you may have to lift the body up to get it out. Sharpie



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