Hello,
I am in the process of searching for a '67-'72 Suburban to restore into a daily driver. I would like your opinions regarding the pro's & con's of having rear doors versus tailgate.

Thanks

Heya Belman, As far as tailgate VS Barn doors it is just a matter of preferance. I dont believe there are any pros or cons, again just preferance. good luck with your new project search.:cool:

Doors swing out of the way and the hatch has a tailgate to sit on, which do you want? I like em both.

The only "con" I see with the barn doors is the blind spot with the door posts in the middle of your rear view mirror.

:agree: ...and the solid window looks cleaner IMO;) But there are a lot of barn door fans out there too.

I currently have a Blazer with the tailgate and 3 Suburbans with the barn doors.

Tailgate does look cleaner however I prefer the barn doors.

If you haul cargo....barn doors make it is easier to get to without bending over a tailgate.

You do however have to watch the swing out barn doors in parking lots and next to other vehicles. They will hit them.

I have had many of both.

Thank you all. I had hoped it would be just a preference thing. I have had trucks and older toyota 4runners for years. I have always been bugged by having to lean over the tailgates just to get to my load. I really had hoped & planned on a barn door suburban, but was afraid they may have problems with latches, noise or something. That is why I wanted the professionals of this forum to tell me. Again thank you.:)

I have one of each,when I tow my toy hauler my barn doors come in handy,I can open up one door and gain access with out any problem, but if Im not parked straight one of the doors will hit my propane tanks. If I tow with my clam door sub,then I've got to reach over the tail gate as long as Im hooked up. But the tail gate comes in real handy for a seat or when your changin gear or clothes I've got six kids so personally I prefer the clam set up.

I like the look of barn doors....... but an added benefit of the clam shell would be leaving the top part open for flow through ventilation.

Someone should build split lowers and a solid upper door like the Excursions and some vans have. Best of both worlds.

The problem with leaving the top clam open while driving is it creates a low pressue area sucks exhaust fumes.

The problem with leaving the top clam open while driving is it creates a low pressue area sucks exhaust fumes.
Would that still occur if the front windows were down? :confused:

I like tailgates, its too hard to sit on a barndoor.

The problem with leaving the top clam open while driving is it creates a low pressue area sucks exhaust fumes.

Not when the exhaust exits before the rear tires ;) I drive with it open a bit in the summer.

I own both. I think the barn doors are a little more prone to leak when the gaskets have aged 30 years.

Assuming you haul...
Clamshell:You can drive with them open for a long load likea pickup.
Doors:Whatever you haul must fit the length of the vehicle.
Passengers can let themselves out.

I'm thinking of doing a suburban when I have kids...anyways I want a clamshell 'burb. Right now I have a 97 Tahoe with the barndoors, and the blindspot annoys the crap out of me.

The hatches on the tailgate models can be a little heavy to open as far as ladies may be concerned.

Yes they are a bit heavy. I wouldn't want my mom trying to operate it. Shouldn't be hard to find some gas-struts that'll work. I bet someone on here has done it.

Yes they are a bit heavy. I wouldn't want my mom trying to operate it. Shouldn't be hard to find some gas-struts that'll work. I bet someone on here has done it.I hope so. We ain't gettin' any younger...:o

frizzle fry...Thats a damn good idea, gas struts.my hatch is so heavy that im afraid sometimes that the stock support arms might fail when somebody is to close.The hatch probably weighs about 40 lb's....

I was thinking about this more today and I thought, if I'm going to put gas struts in I might as well make the whole hatch one piece like newer Tahoes/Burbs. I've thought about it before but never gave it any serious thought. So I looked at what it would take and saw that the stock tail latches would work. The support-arm brackets on the lift gate could be flipped around to provide a little more mechanical advantage to the gas struts. Sure would be nice to have the tailgate out of the way when loading/unloading, but keep the nice single window. And, It could be done without any permanent mods to the body so it could be reversed (with a new lift/tail). Hmmmmm......

Frizzle...sounds like a great idea...and having seen some of your work...you can handle it. How is the recovery of the Blackberry truck...or did you just forget about it...LOL! Belman...sorry to jack your thread!

It's not quite ripe yet...:) That one will have to wait for someone else. I don't know the new land owners or thier contact info.

Frizzle fry im wanting to do the split lower like the excursions. I dont think I have seen any with that set up.

That would be unique. If you had two barn doors and a lift gate you could make it happen.

I'm getting ready to add struts to mine. I already converted the tailgate to cables like the newer ones (no more rattling). I have an extra tailgate (from Cali). It's very solid, no rust but does have some dents and dings. $150 + shipping.

Rob

Frizzle fry im wanting to do the split lower like the excursions. I dont think I have seen any with that set up.

Just noticed this one has it done. This is the Burb that was featured with the gold/white crewcab.

Just noticed this one has it done. This is the Burb that was featured with the gold/white crewcab.
Nice rear setup! I have the tailgate style on mine. I want to elimate all the external hinges, add the gas struts to the lift gate and use newer tailgate hardware on the lower gate.

Another thing I would like to see, is someone reproduce the upper in fibreglass. It would be a whole bunch lighter and no more rust.

Another possibility would be to use linear actuators and make it open by remote/hidden switch.

Another thing I would like to see, is someone reproduce the upper in fibreglass. It would be a whole bunch lighter and no more rust.

Another possibility would be to use linear actuators and make it open by remote/hidden switch.

:agree:

Just noticed this one has it done. This is the Burb that was featured with the gold/white crewcab.

:phat:

Tailgate place to sit in the breeze
Barn doors block the wind
Hatch protects from rain
Barn doors put you under roof out of rain
Side clearance is an issue with the doors
I've always had Barn doors because I've always had Panels and they only came with doors,however the opening is stamped for the hatch also.

I perfer the clam doors. It is nice to sit on as already said. You can lay the bottome down and haul longer items as you drive in which you can not do with barn doors unless you tie the doors together next to what ever you are hauling. That is my answer and I am sticking to it.:lol: