The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Suburban Rear Doors

I'm a newbie here. The suburbans really interest me. ('47-'54 GMC)
........QUESTION; Some have vertical doors, some horizontal. Why the difference, and what are they called?
Thanks, bill

Not the official names but around here they are called barn doors (side hinged) and clam shell (top & bottom hinged).

The GM names were/are Suburban Carryall (sometimes Carryall Suburban) with 3116 "lift gate" or "end gate"; or, 3106 "rear doors'

The other names (barn doors and clam shell) are descriptive and cute, and are commonly used.

The rear (panel-style) doors perhaps allowed for easier loading and unloading (with the seats out?). The end gates were supposedly handy for carrying a full load of people (in seats) and their luggage on the end-gate.

Thanks force info. I'm learning. LOL

Trivia Question: What year Suburbans are in simplex's very nice photo (and, why do you know that is the year)?

1950 down ,no vent windows in doors.

Pretty good answer, Tim, but not correct.

The right answer is so obvious, it is staring you/us in the face.

I'll post another "give away" hint this afternoon, if no one comes up with the answer.

Better on 30s than later but will guess 1950 because no vent glass?

1950 it is

1949 3116 - end gates (no Suburban models with rear doors on 1947-1949 Advance-Design Chevrolet (and New Design GMC) GM trucks

1950 3106 & 3116 - rear doors & end gates - no vent windows on Advance-Design (and New Design GMC) GM trucks (as shown in the photo)

1951 3106 & 3116 - rear doors & end gates - vent windows on 1951-55 Advance-Design Chevrolet (and New Design GMC) GM trucks

I never knew that 1950 was the first year for barn doors.
Learn something new everyday !!!
Thanks !!!

See, you really can learn stuff on this site.

If 1950 was the first year for barn doors, how come my 49 has barn doors? also my 49 has no vent windows? Explanation please Tim?



Weeds

1951 was the first year for the vent windows and the only year that had pull down door handle with them.

Lets see what Tim has for the rear barn doors on your 1949.

The slipperiest answer regarding a 1949 having the rear doors is speculation that the rear doors on Suburbans became available in 1949 before the 1949 ventless-doors ran out.

Out of timing-interest, Weeds: what is your vehicle serial number, and, if you had/have an original engine, what was the engine serial number and head/block date codes?

Thanks,

Is it possible a late 1949 had the 1950 barn doors?

Your suburban originally came with the clamshell, someone added the barn doors later. They did not come with barn doors in 1949. It was common to add barn doors because they function better than clamshell gates and most people were interested in function over form....g

weeds, their were no vent windows on the AD until 1951 according to all I've read and seen. The doors will interchange though.

His suburban is pre-1951, Notice on the left side cowl he has a cowl vent, they did away with these starting with 1951 and the addition of wing windows.

Tim, George,et al. The 216 is long gone replaced by a 283. Also the burb is in storage, cold storage I might add. Not going out @14 below zero for S/N.Although my 49 has barn doors during rebuild I did notice that the cables and hardware for clamshells were in the walls @ the rear of the truck. Maybe common practice @ the factory so either option could be used?


I can always further my education on stovebolt.



weeds

Weeds,

My '54 Suburban came with rear doors. It had the openings for end-gate/lift-gate cables and they had covering-plates. There were a few cable-routing pieces inside the side-walls. There were no other cable/cabling parts.

Weeds, I looked through your pictures before I commented. You definitely had the original clam shell tailgate , the barn doors were added later. Notice tb hinge openings for the barn doors were hand made and the tailgate hinge holes sealed. Also you can see the worn cables and hardware. If you look under the rear sill you will see remnants of the lower tailgate hinge mounts. Tim is correct, no barn doors prior to 1950.

I must say, you have always s been an inspiration to me with your build and I refer to your pictures often. Maybe this summer: might have my first drive in mine. It's only been ten years since I purchased this one....g

George, flattery will get you everywhere. Thanks for the compliments. I had hoped to meet you in KC in 09. At my age(81)I have found that memory is the first thing to go so maybe we did meet and I have forgotten. I built my sub as a driver and I am still in love with it. Looks stock and drives great. Hang in there on your project. When finished all the setbacks, disappointments and money spent will be forgotten.

I am going to see if I can recognize where the original clamshell hinges were mounted when spring comes. If it ever does come. Seems like this winter is NEVER going to end.

My build took me from 03 to 08 and it seems like I hit the wall a dozen times so stick with it and the last thing to do will eventually show up. then get in it,find a 2 lane road and CRUISE Best regards George.


Weeds