Old subject re-visited , barn door swap

[kwin]

I purchased a 1991 1500 suburban a few months ago, I love it! even the mileage does not bother me, no payment makes a huge difference.

The only thing I don't like is the rear tailgate, the window clunks , the safety switch is prone for failure, the whole thing is a nightmare as it ages.

The answer is barn doors and I know it has been brought up in the past but I have never seen a definitive answer as to what exactly is involved. I have access to the parts there are lots of old burbs up here that were ex oilfield ambulances so the doors and hardware should not be hard to find.

I would love to hear from either some one who has done the job or has seen what obstacles you can encounter.

Thanks for your time.

[kwin]

No one has any hands on experience with this?

Wow.

[blakeduren]

I think that the "tub" for the suburban used to be dual purpose, meaning with the right hardware, you would swap on a tailgate or barn doors. However, I think in the early 80's or something, they starting making different tubs, so the swap got much harder.
All of the bosses for bolts, tabs, weatherstripping etc etc etc will all have to be cut from a donor and welded on your tub....
OR cut the entire last 6 inchs of a barn door tub off...

[tobiahr]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

OR cut the entire last 6 inchs of a barn door tub off...

I think this is the best bet for this. Havent seen it done so I'm sure a write up would be well received.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by blakeduren

I think that the "tub" for the suburban used to be dual purpose, meaning with the right hardware, you would swap on a tailgate or barn doors. However, I think in the early 80's or something, they starting making different tubs, so the swap got much harder.
All of the bosses for bolts, tabs, weatherstripping etc etc etc will all have to be cut from a donor and welded on your tub....
OR cut the entire last 6 inchs of a barn door tub off...

I agree, too.

From what I know in the assembly plant it would be a huge deal.

But - anything is possible if you want it bad enough.

K

[kwin]

I'll start gathering parts and make my comparisons as I go, I'll keep you posted!

[RandyP]

Mitchell shows the quarters are different and the rear sill is different when you compare doors to gate types. I would think something would be different up around the roof area as well though. Easiest way to do it is cut the entire back portion from a donor, like was mentioned.

[misternash2]

i bought a nice looking 88 with tailgate. ended up being pretty rusty. i looked into doing the swap, but found that the 88 is either a gate or doors, so i ended up scrapping the gated burb for the doored one. i figured all the time to swap everything over would be better to swap whole cabs than graft the doors onto that burb.

[kwin]

I just picked up a few 4x4 burbs 4 in fact. Ill do some comparisons and see where it goes.

Keith

[Psycho71]

Yep, I have the tailgate on my burb, and hate it. It took for ever to get the window working right, now the latches and handle have become an issue, basically, IT SUX. Plus that, being lifted, it also sux trying to get stuff in and out of the back unless it's sitting right back by the tailgate. I wish so bad that I had barn doors out back like my old 2wd burb had.

I looked real hard at converting the thing to doors myself. I too determined that swapping doors onto mine would be way too intensive. If it gets that bad, and I just can't stand it anymore I'll find a good barn door shell and swap the whole body out.

[77blazerchalet]

Finished one to compare to in Milwaukie, Oregon: http://portland.craigslist.org/clc/cto/2987872661.html Hinge close-up detail pics of that one at the CK5 thread: http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpos...5&postcount=22

[y5mgisi]

Yep, my buddy's kid's baby sitter owns that truck. My buddy that took the pics says it looks like it came from the factory that way.

About putting barn doors on a burb that had a tailgate, pre 85, its a bolt on deal. Wam bam done, everything is there. In 85 they changed that whole area making it a real fist fart. Bottom line is it can be done but will not be easy on a 91.