Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Now, before I go into what I'm going to do next, let me preface by showing how trashed my liftgate and tailgate were.

Liftgate:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Tailgate:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

So, now that I have a solid set (already had a nice tailgate waiting to go on), I can use the junk set to engineer the one-piece liftgate I've been wanting to do.

What are the circles all about?
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

I have a big can full of these massive steel washers so... It was a quick and easy way to make them one piece :lol: Lower hinges disconnected and folded down under tailgate before welding top to bottom:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Four washers on each side and...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I'm running out of time to write anything so I'll just post the pics I have uploaded and come back to write up the details tomorrow...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1180587471

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

:cong:

I think you have done a Terrific Job on your Build, By far it is one of the Best Build's Going. Also Thank You for taking the Time to Document all for us to Follow along with.

Thank You For a Super Build...................

Rick

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Very cool lift gate. Will that strut stud hold up to the weight of the gate over time? I know my 4th Camaro has fairly large bolts that support the hatch at both ends.

Mike

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Friz that is just awesome. This is almost like a class on fabricating................ Bamm!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks Rick/Bamm.

Mike,
It's the same size ball stud and struts used on new Tahoes/Burbs (just with standard threads instead of metric). To my surprise these struts seem to be just a tad on the heavy/strong side for my liftgate. Since I used the same geometry as the new Tahoes (distance from hinge fulcrum to upper ball stud), I guess my gate is slightly lighter than the new ones. Hard to believe, I know. But on the truck I borrowed the struts from that gate is pretty darn heavy with no struts. So if anything the studs are being put under less stress than GM puts them through :lol:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Cool, I figured you probably had already thought it through fully as you have with the rest of the modifications.

Mike

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Wow, I want you to be my neighbor, feel like moving ot TN?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

:lol:
My neighbors definitely don't appreciate this stuff as much as we all do.:rolleyes:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Man, those struts from my Yukon look perfect in there.

-Britain

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

howdy. that's a great looking project. the liftgate is that a new piece or a original. keep up the great work.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

The primered liftgate is a solid used one (they don't make new ones yet). The lift/tailgates that are welded together are my rusty originals.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks for the gratuitous crotch shot :eek:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

That was all for you bro;)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

You did it again! A liftgate like that makes loading and unloading SOOOO much easier than reaching over a tailgate.

I see truck tailights in the near future too.. keep up the good work!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

coming along very nice, you got some awsome ideas.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Dang... I was impressed with the Tahoe conversion. I didn't think it could get any better and then BAMM!!!, along comes the one piece tailgate. Dang!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Damn, this build is just too cool!! :metal:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Can't wait to see your roadster version!

Ya, that's one thing I've wanted for a while. I drive this thing and Costco trips are gonna be so much easier:hm: I think the one-piece liftgate is the best of both worlds; Single rear window and easy to load/unload.

Thanks Pops:)

I'm working on the final version of the liftgate and possibly some hidden hinges now.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Hurry up and finish this thing My wife needs a Tahoe :metal:

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Where do you plan on getting suicide rear door hinges?

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Damn thats all I can say!!!!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

I'd like to use something like what XXL used on his hood (I'll have to dig up a link). Either that or modify the existing hinges.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

After looking at the prices I'm going to make my own hinges. They will be similar in design to this type.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Could u use some from the Jeep Wagoneer, I know some have used them for converting Door's? Here is one Link........

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=suicide+hinge

Keep up the Great Work you Are Doing, Love all the Change's You Have Made..........

Rick

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Take a look at a set of factory door hinges for our trucks. I was "eyeballing" them earlier and think you could probably make them work.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Interesting. Thanks for the link. That's definitely an option!

Well, I have my hinge design all figured out in my head and now you are gonna make me change directions...:hm: :rolleyes: ;) I'll take a look at them.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Keep it up Mike... it's looking killer! Can't wait to see it on its new wheels and tires!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

This is comming along sweet. It is going to be so nice just to copy what you have done and not have to think about it for once:cool:
As far as our vintage hinge I do not think it will work because ours are tuckers and you need one to lift out and around. By tuckers what I mean is when you open the door the leading edge tuckes in behind the fender. For a rear hatch you will need a lift out and up style. I think the ones you linked to would work great and it sure was nice of them to post all those close up shots to help to build your own. Keep it up great work as always.

Whern you get ready for your hood mod let me help with the thinking part!http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=244455 :metal:

Kevin
LFD Inc.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Thanks Nate and Kevin.

Suspension components are on the way... :cool: Then I'll see what kind of space I need to create in order to run the the wheel/tire/height combo I want.

I agree about the hinges. There's no room to tuck the upper edge of the hatch. I just picked up some 5" dia 1/4" wall tubing today :metal:

As for the hood, you did an excellent job on it and I do think it looks better than the 69-72 hood. It also gives you a novelty factor. But... I'm going with a full 68 clip (slightly modded). :D

I may end up using your cognitive powers on a 4th door one day though ;)

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Hired some help to rotate my tires :P http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Some minor stuff I did over the last week:

Passenger side Lower ball-stud location
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

More info on the ball-studs and gas struts:

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Since this is my ONLY DRIVER :o I had to keep it utilitarian. So here's some temporary 3/4" plywood in the rear. Slotted around the seat belts instead of locating the holes for ease of removal/installation.
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

I need to cut the lower rear section from a truck wheel tub to finish this one off where the spare tire well used to be. Duct tape for now:rolleyes: :hm:
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181415664

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Another thing required when you lose the spare tire well:

I might end up getting one from a truck so it matches the other side, or I'll make one of the these for the drivers side. One way or another they will match in the end...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Another thing required to keep it useful while I work on it is a rear seat for the kids. I knew there would be some spacial conflicts between the seat and the relocated wheel wells. I though I'd either modify the seat or go with a 3rd row/Blazer rear seat. Since I don't want to modify it and then decide to sell it (lowering the value) I came up with a short term solution:

I was able to rotate the front seat clamps to work with the seat moved forward about 3"
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

The rear seat mounts are sitting on the edge of the raised cargo ledge (not shown)
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129
Yes, I need to clean that up and paint it soon^^^

Leg room is compromised by 3" but I'm 6' 2" and it's not bad. This will work for now...
http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y23...g?t=1181417129

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Looking Good!!!!!!!!!

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

that is so sweet cant I would love to see this one up close.

Re: Joined the Short Wheelbase Club *69 Tahoe Project*
 

Did i Miss the Color u are going with when it's all Done?

Again i am astounded by your Talent & Documentation on This Project......

Thanks, Rick