The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Can barn doors be converted to clam shell?

Hello, I'm new here and to the world of classic suburbans.I'm considering the purchase of a project '51 Suburban but it has the barn doors and I prefer the look of the the clam shells.Has any converted from barn to clam shell and how difficult was it or does anyone have any tips or suggestions.Thanks in advance for the help.

You could not easily convert the rear doors to clamshell doors (unless you have time and a lot of talent). However, the barn-door-equipped Suburbans can be converted to use clamshell doors (you would need the doors and the necessary parts for hinges and cable mechanisms).

ok thanks

Welcome to the Stovebolt. Lots of advice here and just about any question gets answered. My 49 Suburban has the barn doors but in a previous life it had the clamshells. The cables and pulleys for the tailgate are still in the side walls and I can see where the upper and lower hinges were. So a previous owner took off the clamshells and installed the barn doors. Your situation is just the opposite and it would not be a simple bolt in but it could probably be done. Tim Lederman among others on this site are very knowledgeable on Panels and Suburbans so his advice is always sound.


Weeds

Thanks for the welcome.I'm thinking about trying to make it were the clamshells & barn doors are interchangeable so I can switch them out depending on my mood.

My 59 Burb had the barn doors on it when I bought it in the late 1970's, but there's evidence of it having clamshells at one time, cable guides, etc, that show some wear, and bolt holes for clamshell hinges and such.
Jerry

TF's are made for either. All the necessary holes and mounting features are there. Don't know about AD.

Since extraneous information has been posted, I will also add information not directed to the original question.

From 1947 to 1949, Suburbans were only available with the endgates (model 3116). As I posted above, the barn-door-equipped (1950-1955) Advance-Design Suburbans (3106) had cabs built for either types of doors.

IF you had all the parts, it should not be a problem. There is one guy, perhaps on here, who has a hybrid door set. Clamshell upper. With cut down barn doors on the lower half. Not a bad setup at all.
You will note on a clamshell burb, that there a 4 "plugs" which cover the barn door hinge positions in the body. I don't have a barn door burb, but perhaps someone can verify that the same size plugs are used in the lower valance to cover the lower hinge holes of an unused clamshell?

As to clamshell parts, the retractors are still made by the Pullman Company so they can be purchased brand new. The cables can be made up easily. Just some steel ball ends on the right length cables. I can't confirm this, but I think that the early Corvette hood props are the same as the upper props on the clamshells. The originals do show up on eBay from time to time. Then you need the doors, glass, proper swinging taillight, latches for the lower gate and the catches they need attached to the body. And some weatherstrip and such and you'd be in business.

Unless the suburban you are looking at is pristine, wait until you find a suburban with the clam shell tail gate. The cost to convert will be around a thousand dollars and lots of work.

Things necessary to convert from barn doors to clam shell:

Removal of barn doors:
Door checks,
Hinges

Installation of clam shell tail gate and upper lift gate includes:

Modify the upper header panel to accept lift gate hinges (two styles were available) Install hinges.
Mount lift gate and lift gate props. (drilling may be necessary, nuts may need to be installed)
Install cable guides on both sides of body. (you may have to drill body panel to install)
Fabricate and install lower tail gate mounts underneath the rear body sill.
Cut out holes for bottom hinges in outside sill panel.
Install cable retractors and cables.
Install tail light rod to tail light and wire light
Adjust tail gate and lift gate for proper fit..
Install weather stripping
Install rubber knock out plugs in old barn door hinge location.

Probably a few more steps but this is the gist of it.

Thanks for all the input and help guys.

TC: Pluto is no longer considered a planet, it has been replaced by Extraneous.

I am interested in going the other way. We are getting started on revovating a "49 Burb, and would prefer the barn doors. the clamshell tailgate and the upper half both require a lot of work, and the cable retractors are trashed. The impressions of the barn door hinge pockets are there. Given that considerable repair of the existing parts is required it's not like we would be doing work that would be completely unnecessary, and we would have a setup more suited to our needs. All input is appreciated.

You will need a set of rear doors with hinges.
And, you will need covers for the unneeded body-openings for the end-gate hinges and cables.

This swap is easier to carry out (and used parts should be easier to find) than would be the conversion to an end gate.