I'll detail my conversion here and reference some other threads. This is done on an 80's K5, but should be similar on a 2nd gen full-topper. The two mods are independent. You could put lift glass with a K5 gate (outside sheet metal is the same shape below the window) or you could do a truck gate when switching to a soft-top. It should be obvious how to do just one of them.
The factory power roll-up window is cool. Why would I want to get rid of it?
What are the drawbacks?
Early latch/link was from '73-'76. 2nd design was from '76-'87. Early hinge/trunion is through '80, with 2nd design '80-'87. If you have a '76 or '80 gate, look carefully at your parts if you need to find stuff.
The early latch looks like this:
And this is the 2nd design:
Notice how the later latch has the link post built into it, while it's a separate part on the early one. Also, the mounting hole pattern is obviously not interchangeable.
The hinge/trunion and links all look fairly similar between the designs. You can distinguish between them based on measurements. If I find the relevant measurements I'll add them here.
Here's where @campfire did a lift glass conversion: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/barn-doors-on-a-blazer.331726/page-2#post-3865487
Here's an old sighting: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/rear-window-question.282504/#post-2881153
All of the gates should fit all of the trucks, as long as you have the right hardware. To state it another way, the required hardware depends on the gate, not the truck.
The factory power roll-up window is cool. Why would I want to get rid of it?
- It's no fun being stuck with a window that won't roll up in 10 degree weather far from home.
- It's heavy, even with the assist springs it's harder to lift than a simple truck gate.
- The inside handle is hard to grab on a lifted truck or with lots of cargo crammed inside. The truck setup is also more robust than the small rods and handle assembly inside the K5 gate.
- The truck gate is thinner, giving more interior space. A few inches is actually nice when you're sleeping between the front seats and the tailgate.
- If you carry a long load resting on the tailgate, there's no risk of breaking the glass.
- If you run a soft-top part- time, the window stays with the hard top.
- Removing a K5 tailgate is a pretty big undertaking- especially with rust where you might break some hinge bolts. The truck gate lifts off in 1 minute with no tools.
What are the drawbacks?
- The lift glass takes some creativity. The truck gate is a bolt-on if your lower mounts are intact.
- It's no longer a factory original setup.
- If you have a spare tire on the back bumper, you may have to move it everytime you want to open the window. The roll-up is like a pocket door and just disappears out of the way.
- The power window can be operated from the driver's seat and it's no big deal to drive around with the window open. You can drive with the lift glass open (like hauling lumber), but it's a little goofy for just cruising. Of course fumes are an issue, but I have no idea if the lift glass makes any difference.
- You now have an additional key to carry.
- Tailgate from a pickup.
- Hinges (attach to tailgate)
- Trunions (attach to truck)
- Links (metal rods that support the tailgate when it's open).
- Complete topper glass assembly (frame, window, hinge and lift struts)
Early latch/link was from '73-'76. 2nd design was from '76-'87. Early hinge/trunion is through '80, with 2nd design '80-'87. If you have a '76 or '80 gate, look carefully at your parts if you need to find stuff.
The early latch looks like this:
And this is the 2nd design:
Notice how the later latch has the link post built into it, while it's a separate part on the early one. Also, the mounting hole pattern is obviously not interchangeable.
The hinge/trunion and links all look fairly similar between the designs. You can distinguish between them based on measurements. If I find the relevant measurements I'll add them here.
Here's where @campfire did a lift glass conversion: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/barn-doors-on-a-blazer.331726/page-2#post-3865487
Here's an old sighting: https://ck5.com/forums/threads/rear-window-question.282504/#post-2881153
All of the gates should fit all of the trucks, as long as you have the right hardware. To state it another way, the required hardware depends on the gate, not the truck.
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