WA WTB Suburban upper hatch - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**nitrosport_5** · 09-25-2021, 11:52 PM

Im looking for an uppper rear hatch for a 72 Suburban that has as little rust as i can find. ive got a pretty nice set of barn doors and the upper suburban trim that id be willing to sell/trade if i find a usable hatch.

Im willing to pay for shipping if you are a long distance from me

**Dave** · 09-27-2021, 06:47 AM

I'll just throw this out there for consideration. The upper hatch is the single hardest item to locate with minimal rust next to the 1/4 panels. With that said, there are a couple people that have scored a nearly rust free hatch from lower western states and elsewhere within the last 2-3 yrs.
However, I've also seen absolute junk rear hatches being fixed by very talented fab guys, that I think couldn't be done. The entire bottom sections had to be reconstructed, along with portions of the upper section, all hand fabricated.
I don't know what resources you have available near you or what your budget would allow for but I'd estimate about 80-100.00/hr and (some areas even higher) for rust repair involving fabrication.

**nitrosport_5** · 09-27-2021, 01:30 PM

I figured it would be about like hens teeth to find one, but It's worth a shot!

My hatch is pretty much completely rusted out at the bottom. The last drive I went on down a washboard gravel road finished it off. I'm afraid it's rusted out at the top too and I'd be left with nothing to work with. I have barn doors for that swap, but if I can stick with the clamshell I'd really prefer it. I'm going to keep looking, but if someone knows a good fabricator that would want to take on my hatch in the Spokane, wa area I'd be interested.

WannaBe68 · 10-03-2021, 03:05 PM

I looked for 2 years trying to find a rust free lift gate. Saying a rust free lift gate is made of unobtanium is an understatement!
I did end up finding 2 lift gates that had some rust on opposite sides from each other and had a guy marry the 2 good sections from each into one nice and clean one...
Just an idea for you to file away -

**nitrosport_5** · 10-03-2021, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WannaBe68

I looked for 2 years trying to find a rust free lift gate. Saying a rust free lift gate is made of unobtanium is an understatement!
I did end up finding 2 lift gates that had some rust on opposite sides from each other and had a guy marry the 2 good sections from each into one nice and clean one...
Just an idea for you to file away -

Thanks for the reply, if be up for somthing like that too. I'd pretty much take any gates I can get my hands on at this point. I'd cut 3 or 4 up to.make a good one

52napco · 11-18-2021, 08:14 AM

I see you're in WA I know a gentleman in Cedar MTN
NC that can fix them and he is the man.
Charlescalvindesign.com

09-25-2021, 11:52 PM	#1
nitrosport_5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. John, Washington Posts: 617	WTB Suburban upper hatch Im looking for an uppper rear hatch for a 72 Suburban that has as little rust as i can find. ive got a pretty nice set of barn doors and the upper suburban trim that id be willing to sell/trade if i find a usable hatch. Im willing to pay for shipping if you are a long distance from me __________________ "Rusty" 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super, 496, A/C, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, 4l80e/NP205, 4" Rancho Lift, 35" BFG AT "Ramp Truck" 1972 C30 Ramp Truck 350, Air Bags, Factory A/C. "1968" C10 Shortbed project

09-27-2021, 06:47 AM	#2
Dave DND Trucks Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 2,376	Re: WTB Suburban upper hatch I'll just throw this out there for consideration. The upper hatch is the single hardest item to locate with minimal rust next to the 1/4 panels. With that said, there are a couple people that have scored a nearly rust free hatch from lower western states and elsewhere within the last 2-3 yrs. However, I've also seen absolute junk rear hatches being fixed by very talented fab guys, that I think couldn't be done. The entire bottom sections had to be reconstructed, along with portions of the upper section, all hand fabricated. I don't know what resources you have available near you or what your budget would allow for but I'd estimate about 80-100.00/hr and (some areas even higher) for rust repair involving fabrication. Last edited by Dave; 09-27-2021 at 06:56 AM.

09-27-2021, 01:30 PM	#3
nitrosport_5 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: St. John, Washington Posts: 617	Re: WTB Suburban upper hatch I figured it would be about like hens teeth to find one, but It's worth a shot! My hatch is pretty much completely rusted out at the bottom. The last drive I went on down a washboard gravel road finished it off. I'm afraid it's rusted out at the top too and I'd be left with nothing to work with. I have barn doors for that swap, but if I can stick with the clamshell I'd really prefer it. I'm going to keep looking, but if someone knows a good fabricator that would want to take on my hatch in the Spokane, wa area I'd be interested. __________________ "Rusty" 1972 K20 Cheyenne Super, 496, A/C, Tilt, Tach, Buckets, 4l80e/NP205, 4" Rancho Lift, 35" BFG AT "Ramp Truck" 1972 C30 Ramp Truck 350, Air Bags, Factory A/C. "1968" C10 Shortbed project

10-03-2021, 03:05 PM	#4
WannaBe68 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Texas! Posts: 430	Re: WTB Suburban upper hatch I looked for 2 years trying to find a rust free lift gate. Saying a rust free lift gate is made of unobtanium is an understatement! I did end up finding 2 lift gates that had some rust on opposite sides from each other and had a guy marry the 2 good sections from each into one nice and clean one... Just an idea for you to file away -

11-18-2021, 08:14 AM	#6
52napco Registered User Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: upstate sc Posts: 2,098	Re: WTB Suburban upper hatch I see you're in WA I know a gentleman in Cedar MTN NC that can fix them and he is the man. Charlescalvindesign.com



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