tailgate to bard door swap, is it possible?

[Backroads]

I searched, and found nothing, just wondering what it would take to convert a tailgate sub to barn doors. anyone seen this done? it looks like the most complex part is that the inner sheetmetal, where the hinges bolt to on the barn door sub, is completely different from the tailgate sub. LMC sells just about everything except for this. I would probably have to get a doner barn door sub and sawzall the rear section off, which is way out of my leage working by myself.

 

[Muddytazz]

It all depends on the yr of your burb. All burbs pre 83ish (I think) have the capability to swap over to either without any issues. But if you have a post 83ish, you have to graft in the door hinge pockets onto your burb. Another thing to remember that most people do not realize is that the floor crossmember (the one right at the end of the cargo floor) is different between the two also and will need to be changed.

 

[imiceman44]

I searched, and found nothing, just wondering what it would take to convert a tailgate sub to barn doors. anyone seen this done? it looks like the most complex part is that the inner sheetmetal, where the hinges bolt to on the barn door sub, is completely different from the tailgate sub. LMC sells just about everything except for this. I would probably have to get a doner barn door sub and sawzall the rear section off, which is way out of my leage working by myself.

Actually you didn't search properly since I know for a fact it's beed discussed here quite a bit
But yeah that about covers it, 83 and earlier are ready for both styles after that you will need to do some major surgery

 

[jimbug]

Iv'e done the swap.... on an 80 model... went pretty easy all the hinge pockets are there you just need to remove all the fiberglass B.S. from the upper section and then cut and fab the bottom because the tailgate and barn doors have a different sill plate. I got all the parts from a auto wrecker, doors, hinges, latches, and hardware... oh dont forget to nab the limit straps and brackets. I did mine in a weekend, the only problem was th seal at the bottom of the doors.... I didnt use one... I lived in Cali at the time. But all in all this is a very dooable project and is well worth the investment. It makes loading and unloading a breeze. and it eliminates the problematic rear window

 

[Muddytazz]

Iv'e done the swap.... on an 80 model... went pretty easy all the hinge pockets are there you just need to remove all the fiberglass B.S. from the upper section and then cut and fab the bottom because the tailgate and barn doors have a different sill plate. I got all the parts from a auto wrecker, doors, hinges, latches, and hardware... oh dont forget to nab the limit straps and brackets. I did mine in a weekend, the only problem was th seal at the bottom of the doors.... I didnt use one... I lived in Cali at the time. But all in all this is a very dooable project and is well worth the investment. It makes loading and unloading a breeze. and it eliminates the problematic rear window

And you really didn't have to cut and fab the bottom sill. All you would of had to do was swap the sill/crossmember right there and be done with that part.

 

[jimbug]

and then cut and fab the bottom because the tailgate and barn doors have a different sill plate.



No that is what you DO need to do that was the most difficult part... If I remember correctly I trimmed the sill all the way back to where the floor meets the sill plate and all the way on the sides, till the doors woudl shut and then rebuilt it from there. you may be able to get a repop piece from LMC or similar and use that.... it would be much cleaner. I really didnt give two shiots what it looked like I just wanted the functionality

 

[Muddytazz]

and then cut and fab the bottom because the tailgate and barn doors have a different sill plate.



No that is what you DO need to do that was the most difficult part... If I remember correctly I trimmed the sill all the way back to where the floor meets the sill plate and all the way on the sides, till the doors woudl shut and then rebuilt it from there. you may be able to get a repop piece from LMC or similar and use that.... it would be much cleaner. I really didnt give two shiots what it looked like I just wanted the functionality

So your telling me that the 20 or so that I did where I DID NOT cut and fab the sill/last crossmember and replaced it with the correct one was wrong

 

[crawler65]

OK, any one have pics of the seam where you cut or unbolt the lower sill for the pre '83's? I want to do this conversion to my '78. How new of barn doors will fit my '78? Got's to be ditchin' the damn tail gate.

 

[metapoint]

Got the parts you need for sale, located in Phoenix.

http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s1/metapoint/Vstrom022.jpg