Truck tailgate rather than the K5

[GWeakland620]

So, I am really looking into getting a truck tailgate for my K5 and ditching the eleventy hundred pound factory one. I am aware of everything needed to switch it out, however, I am not wanting to loose the rear window aspect of it.

I had some weird, possibly beer-induced, ideas of maybe some plexy glass and hinges.

Any ideas on still having some sort of rear window with the truck gate?

It wouldn't have to seal perfectly, and I am way past the point of pretty.

 

[diesel4me]

I've seen a few K5's with truck tailgates and a rear window from a truck cap adapted to the topper with hinges..they didn't look that hacked...

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

If you gut the Blazer tailgate, I bet the weight is close to a pickup tailgate.

 

[K85 Octane]

I wonder if you could drop the gate and slide some plexy up into the topper's felt. Close tailgate and it would stay. Not sure though as the two gates are different in thickness too, but a nice strip of aluminum or rubber could help.

Or even having a plastic window made, like the soft tops, with button snaps on the topper and Velcro on the gate.

 

[RivMan]

I thought about building a plexy glass window that slid into the factory window channel, and an aluminum frame that bridges the bottom and holds it in place. The bottom of that frame would seal against the tailgate.

-Rob

 

[GWeakland620]

^^^Both of these ideas are sounding like the route I might go. I like the idea of a lower aluminum frame. Sounds fairly easy to remove, but secure.

 

[Tnsejed]

If you gut the Blazer tailgate, I bet the weight is close to a pickup tailgate.

Mine is gutted and that took out a ton of weight.

Plus you don't get the rattle because you still get to utilize all the seals.

 

[GWeakland620]

Mine is gutted and that took out a ton of weight.

Plus you don't get the rattle because you still get to utilize all the seals.

I am wanting to still have a rear window. Being that I am going to have my boys in the back a lot. With my window down, and the top on, I get a ton of exhaust fumes through my back window. I suppose if the exhaust was dumped under the truck, I may have less fumes coming in. But the drone I was getting from the exhaust on the trails was almost more annoying than the CO headaches

Are you still running some sort of window at all?

 

[rampage]

Use the gutted Blazer gate with a plexiglass window but leave the side window guides in. On the plexiglass install a horizontal handle near the top to act as a window stop when you lower it. To keep it raised use a small spring from your local hardware store that you can hook over the handle. The other end can go into a small hole drilled partway into the thick part of the hardtop. Or you may need to do one of these handle setups on either side.

 

[Tnsejed]

Are you still running some sort of window at all?

What Rampage said should work out good.
You could also just drill two small holes in the plexi on each end for the up stop. Then use a pin through the holes. Or something like that.

I don't run a window, as I have a soft top now.

 

[82355]

My exhaust is dumped under the truck on my 1990 Blazer, and with the top on and the window down, I get HORRIBLE exhaust fumes in the cab.

Really bad.

Martin

 

[K85 Octane]

nah, we've gone over this lol. Best place for a dump is behind rear tire and out to the side Will it help, yes, will it eliminate the smell, no.


ever just thought of a soft top? And why get rid of the gate in the first place? Do you remove it often?

 

[GWeakland620]

Just now saw this, guess I should pay attention to my own threads I start

I remove the top quite often, but being in Kansas you never know what the weather is going to do.

Also, I am very rough on my truck, and a soft top would not last. Since I have a cage, I will probably attempt some form of a small soft top for the top only not the sides. But that will only be used for the summer.

 

[grey88]

Yep definetly skipped right over this before posting my thread.... Lol