Tailgate without window

[Cloudsmoker]

Just purchased a 73 blazer online. It arrived today and has some sort of after market gate with no window, slot, or hardware. I was looking at LMC truck and CARID there appears to be 2 different gates for 73-91. One without removable hardtop and one with. I thought all the square body gates were the same? I was hoping to get a newer one so I can. have a power window. Any help appreciated.

 

[sweetk30]

Someone swapped a pickup tailgate a d matching hardware on it if i had to guess .

Common mod for nice weather or trail gigs or soft top only . Cuts down on a lot of weight .

 

[HankScorpio]

You can use a truck tailgate on a Blazer, no window. Its what I have on mine with the softopper. The suburban tailgates are different, the body is different (angled) from the body line up. If you want a power window you will need a tailgate from a Blazer.
I believe in the early days of the Blazer you could get a factory soft top, without the hardtop, they were rare. I am not sure if they would have used a truck tailgate for that application.

 

[Cloudsmoker]

I am probably gonna try and find a junkyard gate from an 80's model. Do you think it will fit without issue?

 

[Cloudsmoker]

Just looking briefly, concerened about the rear window dimensions. If the opening in the 73-75 is the same as 74-91.

 

[HankScorpio]

I am probably gonna try and find a junkyard gate from an 80's model. Do you think it will fit without issue?

On the trucks, there is an early version and later version. Both fit, but you need the hinge hardware too, early hardware with early tailgate, late hardware with late tailgate.. I would get the hardware with the Blazer tailgate to be sure. Not sure about the window fitment on the Blazer tailgates. Someone will know and post up.

 

[Ryanfrazier88]

I actually attempted to purchase a LMC tailgate last year. I was driving through Kansas near LMC's warehouse so I stopped to pick it up. Fun side note, apparently they have two different warehouses. back to the main point. When I got there to pick up the tailgate I learned that they aren't actually hollow tailgates that are meant for blazers with rear glass. They're just your standard run of the mill pickup tailgate. So be warned if you try to find a new tailgate.

 

[Cloudsmoker]

I actually attempted to purchase a LMC tailgate last year. I was driving through Kansas near LMC's warehouse so I stopped to pick it up. Fun side note, apparently they have two different warehouses. back to the main point. When I got there to pick up the tailgate I learned that they aren't actually hollow tailgates that are meant for blazers with rear glass. They're just your standard run of the mill pickup tailgate. So be warned if you try to find a new tailgate.

appreciated. Do you know if you can turn a truck gate into a blazer gate and install hardware for window?

 

[Ryanfrazier88]

In my opinion I don't believe so. Even if you could I think it'd be too much work and you'd be better off trying to find a tailgate at a swap meet or junk yard out of the south or desert region so you avoid finding a rusty one.

 

[Cloudsmoker]

Thanks, I found an 85 and an 81 parts vehicle for sale. Gates look good. Ill let y'all know if there are any fitment issues.

 

[HankScorpio]

The truck tailgate is about 2 inches thick. A blazer tailgate is closer to 5 inches thick. Converting one would be a nightmare.

 

[sweetk30]

appreciated. Do you know if you can turn a truck gate into a blazer gate and install hardware for window?

Way to thin . Blazer gate is huge for all the stuff to go inside .

 

[HankScorpio]

Hold up. The Blazer tailgate has completely different hinges underneath, not on the side. It also has torsion springs to assist with lifting the heavy window tailgate. You will need to get all that stuff too.

 

[Blue85]

I thought all the square body gates were the same?

Some K5 came with pickup gate because they came with soft-top. You can swap the pickup gate onto a K5, but not vice-versa (without some fab, anyway). The Suburban gates don't interchange with either of the above.

There have also been various attempts at "other" back windows for a hardtop, besides the factory roll-up glass. For example, I have a swing-up window. @76zimmer made a hard panel (not sure if this ever evolved over the years). I've heard of cutting a plexiglass panel and fitting it with a truck gate.

You might check to be sure the wiring and switch for the power window is there. It's a stand-alone harness and I want to say it's all deleted for a soft-top truck (someone will correct me if I'm wrong).

 

[Blue85]

Hold up. The Blazer tailgate has completely different hinges underneath, not on the side. It also has torsion springs to assist with lifting the heavy window tailgate. You will need to get all that stuff too.

I believe all K5 tail pan has the hinge mounts and all K5 side posts have features for both styles of tailgate. Whether or not they are clean enough to use is another question.