Anyone else changed the factory K5 tailgate into a swing out gate? Pics added

[gmcjimmy88]

I just about have mine finished up and was curious if anyone else has tried or done this? I need to make a back glass yet but working that slowly. Most likely will be a plexiglass window like that on the pick-up toppers. was just curious. I will post up some pics when I get home this evening.

More pics and some conversation at http://www.carolinak5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4231

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Updated pics! Have had the hinges on for several weeks now and been pretty rough slamming the doors and my 6 year old son hanging from it and been pretty good so far. The real test will be when I start flexing it out on the trails. I will have to wait to see how it handles that until later.

I plan on upgrading to some stronger hinges if this does not work. If it does I will get an extra set of hinges (the pins are removable) and use them with a tube gate.

Don't mind the mess I have been using it to store the Christmas stuff while decorating.

The drivers side (hinge side)

Overall view.

Passenger side latch. Used the stock latch assembly just removed the drivers side assembly and kept the Pass. side stuff.

That piece of angle iron is there to help align the latch if/when the door is tweaked. Works pretty good so far.

Fully swung open. Again ignore the mess.

Factory latch assembly of the gate (passenger side)

My son had to get in the picture

Drivers side upper hinge, close up while open. I also had to trin a little from the body line of the tailgate to clear just above the light when open.

Drivers side lower hinge

Drivers side upper hinge. (hard to make it out).

My son getting ready to rip the hinges off! LOL

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Here is the boy using it as a jungle gym. Granted he is only 40 pounds but still.

The passenger side where it meets the body. not peferctly aligned but it was not great before I started.

This is the lower hinge. The picture was taken sideways if that helps.

The upper hinge.

 

[Cowboy_80]

That's pretty cool. Nice job. Nope, not something I've thought about doing. What made you want to do that?

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Honestly after installing my lift and tires I was too short to reach into the back over the tailgate. Well that and my rear pan was rusted through. I fabbed up a pan section and then realized I would need alot more work to get the factory hinges to work again. So I went with the swing away.

 

[Cowboy_80]

Modding because it's a necessity... weird. You should fab yourself a tire carrier onto it now. No worries about being able to drop the t-gate...

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Modding because it's a necessity... weird. You should fab yourself a tire carrier onto it now. No worries about being able to drop the t-gate...

I plan on fabbing a tube gate/tire carrier at a later date and using the same hinges hopefully if they hold up.

 

[Desert Rat]

Wouldn't work for me, I do too much cooking on the tailgate....

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Get one of the tables for the receiver hitch and I am good to go LOL.

 

[Cowboy_80]

mount a bbq to a receiver...

 

[1978Blazerk5]

Wouldn't work for me, I do too much cooking on the tailgate....

I hear ya, I love taking my truck to football or baseball games. Also for camping. Hmm now i want some burgers

 

[4X4HIGH]

Someone on here talked about doing this a long time ago but i never kept up on it. The only thing i can suggest if you haven't taken it into consideration yet is to make some sort of inner support or you're going to rip the quarter panel off that blazer.

 

[fireplug]

Definitely keep your eye on that daily. I hate to be negative, your work looks good but I just can't see the sheet metal dealing with that weight.

If it doesn't work out consider doing the same thing with a pick up gate. Much lighter. Then just fab a lifting window gate like you see on any fiberglass top.

Good luck, I'm subscribed!

 

[gmcjimmy88]

After gutting the factory gate I think it is about the samne weight as a pickup gate. The drivers side of the bed where the hinges are mounted have been beffed up already. Welded a plate from the top to the bottom and then added the hinges.

I will keep an eye on the rear quarter though for any cracking and flexing/warping.

 

[gmcjimmy88]

Someone on here talked about doing this a long time ago but i never kept up on it. The only thing i can suggest if you haven't taken it into consideration yet is to make some sort of inner support or you're going to rip the quarter panel off that blazer.

That may have been me that brought this up about 6 months ago.

 

[fireplug]

After gutting the factory gate I think it is about the samne weight as a pickup gate.

Ahhh I missed that you did that. Cool!