My '69 Suburban

[1971BB427]

Decided that I was tired of lifting that heavy clam shell upper tailgate, so I ordered the Volvo gas struts to do the conversion. I got the Volvo gas struts yesterday, and picked up 10mm ball studs from the hardware store today. They had 5/16 studs instead of 1/4", so I drilled and tapped the holes out to 5/16", and threaded one stud top and bottom per side. I did one side at a time, so the other side would hold the gate up.
After installing both sides I tested it, and it works slick! Easy to open with one finger, and the struts slowly raise it, and not too heavy while closing either. Now my wife will be able to actually open the tailgate! It was too heavy for her before.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Been a long time since I had any updates to post on the Burb. Pulled the engine apart to swap cams, as I wanted a little more power. I use the Burb to haul my gasser around, so I went with a Isky 264 Mega cam kit. Works well in the operating range I need for the Burb, and has a fairly smooth idle.
Also found a nice set of tires and wheels at the local swap meet to get a little more rubber on the road. I had 235-70-15 radials all around, and the new tire/wheel combo is 10" rear and 8" front, with 295-50-15, and 235-60-15 Coopers on ralley wheels. Picked up the set of tires and wheels for $500 at the swap meet.

I really like the wheels and tires. I had the same setup on my '67 Chevy shorty, except 7" fronts.

Originally Posted by 1971BB427

Decided that I was tired of lifting that heavy clam shell upper tailgate, so I ordered the Volvo gas struts to do the conversion. I got the Volvo gas struts yesterday, and picked up 10mm ball studs from the hardware store today. They had 5/16 studs instead of 1/4", so I drilled and tapped the holes out to 5/16", and threaded one stud top and bottom per side. I did one side at a time, so the other side would hold the gate up.
After installing both sides I tested it, and it works slick! Easy to open with one finger, and the struts slowly raise it, and not too heavy while closing either. Now my wife will be able to actually open the tailgate! It was too heavy for her before.

That would be a great upgrade for sure. There is also a thread on here about doing the same thing to the rigs with barn doors...

LockDoc

[1971BB427]

Originally Posted by LockDoc

I really like the wheels and tires. I had the same setup on my '67 Chevy shorty, except 7" fronts.



That would be a great upgrade for sure. There is also a thread on here about doing the same thing to the rigs with barn doors...

LockDoc

Thanks! Wish I had run across the post about this modification a few years ago when I bought the Burb! I've hated that heavy tailgate since I got it! Wanted to switch to barn doors, but at $36 for the 2 struts, and 4 studs, this was a easier and cheaper fix!