Impossible hatch repair? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

EFI70Blazer · 04-08-2008, 07:44 PM

Well, i finally decided to see if i can even fix my hatch today. Figured i had nothing to lose at it's present state. This will kind of be slow going since i have never done fiberglass repair and have limited time to work on it, but i am willing to give it a shot.

Here is what i have to start out with.

I then seperated it with a putty knife also sharpened on one side. Total time to do this was about an hr. I did do some new damage taking it apart, but for the most part it did seperate fairly well.

EFI70Blazer · 04-08-2008, 07:47 PM

I plan on foam filling the entire hatch before i glue it back together to hopefully give it more strength and stability

fun in dirt · 04-08-2008, 09:04 PM

You can do it! My hatch looked about like that once I got the globs of kitty hair off the PO put on it. Here is how I went about it http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=264025. I didn't post many pics of the after but can take some more if that'll help you. Just remember that it's useless like it sits now so you can't really screw it up only make it better!

EFI70Blazer · 04-08-2008, 10:52 PM

If you want to take some after pics that would be great. I need to get some measurements where the latch pieces go, because mine does not have those parts at all and i dont have the pieces to put back in either.

cstanley · 04-09-2008, 01:11 AM

i had no idea they separated like that! I'm watching...

**jaros44sr** · 04-09-2008, 01:37 AM

Had no idea either, should make the repair easier. Thanks for the info! I'll keep watching....J.

Mint68 · 04-09-2008, 07:21 AM

Question....

Can you get the inside plates out with out spliting the hatch. Will the plate where the t-handle mounts slide out the side when the latches are removed.

EFI70Blazer · 04-11-2008, 03:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mint68

Question....

Can you get the inside plates out with out spliting the hatch. Will the plate where the t-handle mounts slide out the side when the latches are removed.

I dont see any way they can come out without splitting the hatch. You would also have to remove the rivets that hold the metal pieces in place.

JayDubBlazer · 04-11-2008, 03:50 AM

Keep us all posted, I am interested in doing some fiberglass work this summer if it isn't too difficult

Mint68 · 04-11-2008, 09:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFI70Blazer

I dont see any way they can come out without splitting the hatch. You would also have to remove the rivets that hold the metal pieces in place.

That is what I figured. One hatch I have is perfect on the outside, and rusty on the inside. The second hatch is cracked in multiple places on the outside, but perfect on the inside. Maybe I will just split them both and frankenstien one together.

65-72 chevytoys · 04-11-2008, 05:24 PM

Mine needs some work too. I will be watching to see how it goes and to get some tips before doing mine. Good luck with the project.

**jaros44sr** · 04-11-2008, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EFI70Blazer

I dont see any way they can come out without splitting the hatch. You would also have to remove the rivets that hold the metal pieces in place.

What if.... you cut an access hole, since you have to do fibreglas work any way, jat...J.

DANTES JIMMY · 04-11-2008, 08:24 PM

might sound stupid but if you are foam filling it any way (wich i think is an awesome idea) how about putting in a metal or wood frame around it on the inside and then fill it with foam it will rattle until the foam sets but wouldnt that really stiffen it up
it would be like using rebar on concrete kinda reinforce the foam
i have also considered replacing the side struts with gas charged struts off of a late model something or other they make them in all sizes and stroke
just a thought i need to do this to my hatch also so i will be watching this thread closely
just puttin my 2 cents on some thoughts i have had for mine when i get ready to tackle

EFI70Blazer · 04-12-2008, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaros44sr

What if.... you cut an access hole, since you have to do fibreglass work any way, jat...J.

You could probably do that, just cut a small hole for the end pieces, but the part over the hatch handle would take a pretty big hole.

BUDDY · 04-13-2008, 06:50 AM

Subscribed

IMHO, I'd go and check out a few topper hatches & how they latch closed. I have always thought that the o.e. style latches were a little fussy & problematic. I'd prefer, personally, that they be a bit simpler.

All that to say this. Since you basically have a blank canvas to do with whatever you'd like, why not make it work exactly how you'd like it to. Simplicity is priority, few but effective parts with little to wear out, & easy to adjust & maintain.

BTW - when I first got my blazer, the handle didn't lock. I looked high & low for a replacement key or for a locksmith who could work this out for me. Nothing worked because of the condition of the handle. I did however find that a regular garage door handle that you could & still can get from home depot or lowes fits into the square hole for the rod pivot perfectly, you just have to trim the length of the shank on the handle. For around 10 bucks you can have a new & shiny hatch handle that looks VERY close to OE.

Here's a link - https://www.hardwareworld.com

Later,
Buddy

red71cheyenne · 04-14-2008, 03:01 PM

Thats a great way to do it! I had started on mine with the dremel and a cut off wheel to get mine split, but haven't gotten it finished yet. Thanks for the inspiration!

EFI70Blazer · 04-14-2008, 06:58 PM

Found this little writeup and thought i would try it this way.

http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/17.htm

EFI70Blazer · 04-15-2008, 05:29 AM

I did a little bit of work on the outer skin for my hatch today. I sanded the entire back side down with 36 grit sand paper and tapered the spots where cracks were. For now i just coated the cracked area's and the most of the area's where it was entirely through. After i sand this layer down i will fill them in a little more and add another couple of layers to the entire back side to strengthen it up some.

This is what has been taking up my time lately.

This is last fall

This is now

I am going to put a shop in this summer, so i am having to remove all the tree's and other junk back there. I just need to dig up the remaining stumps and also remove the one big tree left. So far i am up to 15 tree's that i have removed.

Critter · 04-17-2008, 07:22 AM

Good luck with the shop. I am trying to finish up a 3 car garage that I started back in December that STILL isn't finished, but should be soon.

As far as the hatch goes, I am really interested in the foam filling idea. The hatch seams to be a weak spot on every blazer and I think this would be a nice way to give it some strength and still remail relatively light weight. I can't wait to see what you do. Keep up the good work. I have two hatches that I MIGHT get around to working on this year...I hope.

tdkosta · 06-15-2008, 03:25 PM

Any progress with the shop and or hatch repair?

Angelse68cal · 06-19-2008, 03:22 PM

Cool keep the play by play pics coming.

EFI70Blazer · 06-21-2008, 11:08 PM

Sorry, no more progress yet. Been ripping out fence and cleaning out all the stumps. Hopefully will have a shop going in sometime in July.

69-72 · 06-22-2008, 11:51 PM

You do know you can buy a brand new hatch for $400-$500 bucks right?

BUDDY · 06-23-2008, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69-72

You do know you can buy a brand new hatch for $400-$500 bucks right?

Come on! That's not the point. Besides 4-500 bucks is a lot of money to me. If he's anything like me he has more time than money. If I could spend a few weekends & a few bucks on supplies to come up with the same results that you could get for 4-500 dollars, I'd be ahead, not only in money spent but also in knowledge & experience.

Later,
Buddy

69-72 · 06-23-2008, 09:18 AM

Chill out, I was just making sure he knows, some people don't.

04-08-2008, 07:44 PM	#1
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Impossible hatch repair? Well, i finally decided to see if i can even fix my hatch today. Figured i had nothing to lose at it's present state. This will kind of be slow going since i have never done fiberglass repair and have limited time to work on it, but i am willing to give it a shot. Here is what i have to start out with. I then seperated it with a putty knife also sharpened on one side. Total time to do this was about an hr. I did do some new damage taking it apart, but for the most part it did seperate fairly well. __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear) Last edited by EFI70Blazer; 04-08-2008 at 07:53 PM.

04-08-2008, 07:47 PM	#2
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Re: Impossible hatch repair? I plan on foam filling the entire hatch before i glue it back together to hopefully give it more strength and stability __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear)

04-08-2008, 09:04 PM	#3
fun in dirt Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 2,122	Re: Impossible hatch repair? You can do it! My hatch looked about like that once I got the globs of kitty hair off the PO put on it. Here is how I went about it http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=264025. I didn't post many pics of the after but can take some more if that'll help you. Just remember that it's useless like it sits now so you can't really screw it up only make it better! __________________ '72 C to K20 "Cannibalizer" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...32#post8653432 '85 K30 "Big Nassy" [B]'85 C10 [B] "Corpse" '01 2500 Suburban ...party wagon & tow truck '06 Silverado SS...DD '06 C1500 WT...DD '07 Classic C1500 WT...DD Built & sold cause can't keep 'em all: '72 Blazer "The Bucket" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=433190 '55 Chevy straight axle gasser https://www.trifive.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173938 '69 Pro Street Chevelle http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=332541 '86 M1031 CUCV http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=553619

04-08-2008, 10:52 PM	#4
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Re: Impossible hatch repair? If you want to take some after pics that would be great. I need to get some measurements where the latch pieces go, because mine does not have those parts at all and i dont have the pieces to put back in either. __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear)

04-09-2008, 01:11 AM	#5
cstanley Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,229	Re: Impossible hatch repair? i had no idea they separated like that! I'm watching... __________________ "Anybody who would paint his truck like this, would go to a minister's funeral dressed in feathers!" - Big Enis Burdett '72 Blazer Restoration Blog: http://sportchicken.blogspot.com/

04-09-2008, 01:37 AM	#6
jaros44sr Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Philadelphia, Pa. 19454 Posts: 9,764	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Had no idea either, should make the repair easier. Thanks for the info! I'll keep watching....J. __________________ Semper Fi...Uncle Sam, you da man All parts offered to help are free, unless otherwise noted Dont try this stuff in my build thread, unless you have 55 years of mechanical OTJ training SAFETY FIRST AS usual, off topic They say your mind goes second, can't remember the first Jim

04-09-2008, 07:21 AM	#7
Mint68 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Nebraska Posts: 762	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Question.... Can you get the inside plates out with out spliting the hatch. Will the plate where the t-handle mounts slide out the side when the latches are removed.

04-11-2008, 03:50 AM	#9
JayDubBlazer go cyclones Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Ames, IA Posts: 1,883	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Keep us all posted, I am interested in doing some fiberglass work this summer if it isn't too difficult __________________ Wes PROJECT OLE GREEN 1972 Blazer 4X4 350/700R4 2017 Silverado LT

04-11-2008, 05:24 PM	#11
65-72 chevytoys Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Wesley Chapel, Florida Posts: 1,113	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Mine needs some work too. I will be watching to see how it goes and to get some tips before doing mine. Good luck with the project. __________________ 2004 Chevy Silverado 1500LS SWB 5.3L 2004 Corvette Z16 #770 Wish I had not sold 72 blazer

04-11-2008, 08:24 PM	#13
DANTES JIMMY Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: PENDLETON,INDIANA Posts: 271	Re: Impossible hatch repair? might sound stupid but if you are foam filling it any way (wich i think is an awesome idea) how about putting in a metal or wood frame around it on the inside and then fill it with foam it will rattle until the foam sets but wouldnt that really stiffen it up it would be like using rebar on concrete kinda reinforce the foam i have also considered replacing the side struts with gas charged struts off of a late model something or other they make them in all sizes and stroke just a thought i need to do this to my hatch also so i will be watching this thread closely just puttin my 2 cents on some thoughts i have had for mine when i get ready to tackle

04-13-2008, 06:50 AM	#15
BUDDY Global warming is a myth Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 208	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Subscribed IMHO, I'd go and check out a few topper hatches & how they latch closed. I have always thought that the o.e. style latches were a little fussy & problematic. I'd prefer, personally, that they be a bit simpler. All that to say this. Since you basically have a blank canvas to do with whatever you'd like, why not make it work exactly how you'd like it to. Simplicity is priority, few but effective parts with little to wear out, & easy to adjust & maintain. BTW - when I first got my blazer, the handle didn't lock. I looked high & low for a replacement key or for a locksmith who could work this out for me. Nothing worked because of the condition of the handle. I did however find that a regular garage door handle that you could & still can get from home depot or lowes fits into the square hole for the rod pivot perfectly, you just have to trim the length of the shank on the handle. For around 10 bucks you can have a new & shiny hatch handle that looks VERY close to OE. Here's a link - https://www.hardwareworld.com Later, Buddy __________________ Henderson, NV 1972 K5 - Lifelong project - Needs Time, Place, Help & Parts!! 1990 K5 with 37's 2003 Discovery SE7 - Wife's

04-14-2008, 03:01 PM	#16
red71cheyenne Back in the sticks Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Fordland, MO Posts: 3,188	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Thats a great way to do it! I had started on mine with the dremel and a cut off wheel to get mine split, but haven't gotten it finished yet. Thanks for the inspiration! __________________ 1971 Cheyenne C-10 w/700R4 and Tuned Port Injection 1969 K5 Blazer w/Tuned Port 2010 2SS/RS Flaming Orange Camaro 2011 K1500 Suburban 2014 K1500 Pickup 2008 Nissan Altima? The wifes' hoopty

04-14-2008, 06:58 PM	#17
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Found this little writeup and thought i would try it this way. http://www.boatus.com/boattech/casey/17.htm __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear)

04-15-2008, 05:29 AM	#18
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Re: Impossible hatch repair? I did a little bit of work on the outer skin for my hatch today. I sanded the entire back side down with 36 grit sand paper and tapered the spots where cracks were. For now i just coated the cracked area's and the most of the area's where it was entirely through. After i sand this layer down i will fill them in a little more and add another couple of layers to the entire back side to strengthen it up some. This is what has been taking up my time lately. This is last fall This is now I am going to put a shop in this summer, so i am having to remove all the tree's and other junk back there. I just need to dig up the remaining stumps and also remove the one big tree left. So far i am up to 15 tree's that i have removed. __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear) Last edited by EFI70Blazer; 04-15-2008 at 05:40 AM.

04-17-2008, 07:22 AM	#19
Critter Future TOTM Winner Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bulverde, TX Posts: 2,692	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Good luck with the shop. I am trying to finish up a 3 car garage that I started back in December that STILL isn't finished, but should be soon. As far as the hatch goes, I am really interested in the foam filling idea. The hatch seams to be a weak spot on every blazer and I think this would be a nice way to give it some strength and still remail relatively light weight. I can't wait to see what you do. Keep up the good work. I have two hatches that I MIGHT get around to working on this year...I hope. __________________ 72 Chevy CST K5 HIGHLANDER BLAZER Getting a 6.0,NV4500,NP205,14BFF (Currently laying all over the place in little pieces) 72 Chevy swb step-side "LS" 6.0 Here's a build thread of sorts 2002 HD2500 Crew Cab, 8.1L Allison 4x4 Daily Driver Check it out www.lsdyno.com



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06-15-2008, 03:25 PM	#20
tdkosta Registered User Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 781	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Any progress with the shop and or hatch repair?

06-19-2008, 03:22 PM	#21
Angelse68cal Cochino_Racing_909 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: California Posts: 280	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Cool keep the play by play pics coming.

06-21-2008, 11:08 PM	#22
EFI70Blazer Active Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Pendleton, OR Posts: 243	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Sorry, no more progress yet. Been ripping out fence and cleaning out all the stumps. Hopefully will have a shop going in sometime in July. __________________ Mike T. Oregon 70 GMC Jimmy 4x4 70 Camaro LS1 plans in the works 71 RS/SS Camaro numbers matching 86 Chevy Silverado SWB 4x4 (454 merlin heads, 3/4 running gear upgrade, Detroit lockers front and rear)

06-22-2008, 11:51 PM	#23
69-72 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: 204 Posts: 903	Re: Impossible hatch repair? You do know you can buy a brand new hatch for $400-$500 bucks right?

06-23-2008, 09:18 AM	#25
69-72 Registered User Join Date: May 2008 Location: 204 Posts: 903	Re: Impossible hatch repair? Chill out, I was just making sure he knows, some people don't. Last edited by 69-72; 06-23-2008 at 09:18 AM.

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