Chevy Surburban questions, now with pictures.

[paigeoliver]

I have a Suburban of the 1973-1991 bodystyle (mine is a 1989), and it has the twin rear doors instead of a tailgate. Does anyone know if it is possible to switch those out for a tailgate? I would much rather have the tailgate.

[DrewKaree]

Paige, IIRC, it only had hinges on the lower part (which the previous owner actually had a belt or something in there, right?). 

Are you talking about the "barn doors with a swing-up window" type of back end, or like a station wagon type of tailgate?  I think the barn doors use the same attachment points, but you'd need to fabricate/attach the hinge for the top part.  I wanted to do that myself.

For anyone else, he's got the full-size swing-open doors on that thing.

[paigeoliver]

Ah, unfortunately I heard from someone on another forum that the switch is not simple at all and requires fabrication beyond the tools I own.

I was specifically talking about the single door with the window that could roll down. I don't actually know if those opened sideways or down.

I have replaced so much sheet metal on that thing since I got it, the thing barely has any holes in it anymore (just the rocker panels, because when I ordered them before the place sent me the wrong ones and then ignored my complaints about it). I finally found someplace with the right rocker panels, so I will be replacing them soon.

Also, the truck is camouflage now, it has been ever since I started replacing sheet metal. It hides my terrible bodywork very well.

[paigeoliver]

Here, I ran outside and took a picture (that includes all 3 of my vehicles). It was dark out so I had to crank the contrast up a bit for a more viewable image.

[paigeoliver]

Anybody have any suggestions for interior modifications? I would kind of like to set this thing up as a 1970s style custom van on the inside. When Drew originally gave me this thing I thought I would use it temporarily and then get something else, but the thing is a tank, a worthless tank that never breaks down and just keeps going. With the mileage it has on it, compared to what these things usually do it will still be basically repair free for another 15 years. So far the only repairs I have had to do to it are the few it needed when I picked it up from Drew (radiator and some brake work), and a starter that came about a year later. The poor mileage it gets is totally made up for by the fact that it doesn't really have any other costs to operate.

[DrewKaree]

Make a center console for the thing.  I was gonna do that, and have done it for a few vans in the past.  You can probably get away with half a sheet of plywood for it since the seats don't sit that high.  I know they make one that Wal-Mart sells for $40, but I've found those just don't sit high enough.  You could probably make something that angles up in the back that would hold a small bathroom-sized trash can (like one that uses plastic grocery bags, that size trash can).  If you built one, you could also run some ducting through the bottom to funnel heat to the back if you use it in wintertime with the church group.

There's also some storage compartments I've seen plans for that are for the back of a truck bed.  IIRC, it'd use about 3 sheets of plywood and give you two levels.  Since I don't think there's attachment points for a third seat, the whole back end is just open for storage.  This would let you add bins on both sides, an open area between them, and then a plywood sheet atop that for the second level.  If you want a scan of the article, let me know and I'll see if I can hunt it up for you.

I was also considering hitting up J.C. Whitney for an overhead compartment thingamabob like in newer trucks.  I can't remember the cost on 'em, but I know they make 'em for that model year, I just don't know how they attach.  See a '98+ Sierra for what I'm talking about. 

[paigeoliver]

I won't order from JC Whitney anymore. They botched my only order horribly (sent two panels for the wrong vehicle and sent two left side panels when I ordered a left and a right), and then ignored my emails about the problem.

[DrewKaree]

Here's kinda what I'm talking about when referencing center consoles:

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/steelhorse_consoles.htm

http://www.pickupspecialties.com/Consoles_main.htm


Here's a not-quite-what-I-mean example of overhead storage:

http://www.truckaddons.com/Catalog/subpages/pacedwards_shefit.asp

I know they make far better looking models of that, and they make some that don't look so kludgy as those for a lot less money.  I can't recall exactly where I saw 'em, which is why I thought of J.C. Whitney.  I know they're not the only folks that sell stuff like that though.


While I'm looking for another article for someone tomorrow, I'll see if I can scare up the storage setup for the cargo area.