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Mazda Exterior \ Barn Door (side opening tailgate)Barn Door (side opening tailgate)
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replies 17
following 7
jakec(jake)
+1y
Hey i was wondering if anyone has done a Barn Door on their mazda?
I was looking at doing it to mine. Well i've actually already mounted it and its swinging off the stock hinges, not smootly yet though. But i was curious about the weight of the tailgate. Some say it will buckle my tub, and that i should brace it. I reckon the tub is already braced enough to handle the weight. The corners are built pretty sturdy and i can't make them move when pulling one corner against the other.
So has anyone else done this? And did you brace yours? If so how did you brace it?
I was looking at doing it to mine. Well i've actually already mounted it and its swinging off the stock hinges, not smootly yet though. But i was curious about the weight of the tailgate. Some say it will buckle my tub, and that i should brace it. I reckon the tub is already braced enough to handle the weight. The corners are built pretty sturdy and i can't make them move when pulling one corner against the other.
So has anyone else done this? And did you brace yours? If so how did you brace it?
mazdawg(mikey)
+1y
this is kind of a touchy subject. the guys that have done it wont post pics. i want to do mine but its further down on the list of stuff to do. post some pics and we all can look at and give some feedback.
jakec(jake)
+1y
I'll take some photos tonight if its not to cold to be in my shed. It snowed last night. Snow in Queensland, Australia. Rock on global warming.
90-b22dawg [andrew]
+1y
it didn't snow for the past 5 years here untill this past christmas which was a few months after the "global warming" shit was big talk here.... anyways it snowed like 5 days in a row... not enough to cover the ground for long but it has never ever snowed more then one day at a time here.......
jakec(jake)
+1y
Sorry for my super late reply, I've been out of town for the last week with work. But I got some photos. This is purely mock up. I have only placed on 1 hinge. And the 2nd hinge has to be welded onto the tailgate (due to the design of the tailgate and its welded internal braces I can't just bolt it on). But it will be then bolted to the tub so I later remove for paint.
I used a 6mm flat mild steel as spacer to centre my tailgate. It has been the only thing so far that has worked the first time. I bolted it to the tub. Seems to work. Might weld it in place when i'm happy with it all.
One problem I encountered was body line. I hold body lines as very important part. So getting them right on the tailgate is making me crazy. The problem is its to high on the top. So i hit the hinge bolt holes with the round file but that can only do so much. I might have to relocate the whole hinge down 15mm and re-drill. So i can align properly. Bring down the tailgate that last 3mm.
The next problem is it pushes out down the bottom. But that can be fixed if i relocate the hinge.
The next problem is these stock hinges.I need a stronger hinge. Don't get me wrong the Bdawgs hinges are sturdy. But with 20 years rust it has developed a 1mm+/- wobble between the internal barrel and the hinge. You wouldn't notice if the hinges were placed where they're meant to be. But when placed in this position they suck. They will wear alot quicker and eventually make the tailgate very wobbly.
But have a look the photos. If you need different angles or whatever, just let me know and i'll put them up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I could always just stop being a tight ass and just buy the FBI kit. But kits are for cheaters
This is what it looks like. You can see where I need the other hinge
Out of alignment.
Notice the little gap. If you look closely at your tailgate hinges you will notice the same gap.
I used a 6mm flat mild steel as spacer to centre my tailgate. It has been the only thing so far that has worked the first time. I bolted it to the tub. Seems to work. Might weld it in place when i'm happy with it all.
One problem I encountered was body line. I hold body lines as very important part. So getting them right on the tailgate is making me crazy. The problem is its to high on the top. So i hit the hinge bolt holes with the round file but that can only do so much. I might have to relocate the whole hinge down 15mm and re-drill. So i can align properly. Bring down the tailgate that last 3mm.
The next problem is it pushes out down the bottom. But that can be fixed if i relocate the hinge.
The next problem is these stock hinges.I need a stronger hinge. Don't get me wrong the Bdawgs hinges are sturdy. But with 20 years rust it has developed a 1mm+/- wobble between the internal barrel and the hinge. You wouldn't notice if the hinges were placed where they're meant to be. But when placed in this position they suck. They will wear alot quicker and eventually make the tailgate very wobbly.
But have a look the photos. If you need different angles or whatever, just let me know and i'll put them up. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I could always just stop being a tight ass and just buy the FBI kit. But kits are for cheaters
This is what it looks like. You can see where I need the other hinge
Out of alignment.
Notice the little gap. If you look closely at your tailgate hinges you will notice the same gap.
mazdawg(mikey)
+1y
looks pretty good. with the second hinge it may make all the difference. does the taillight still fit?
jakec(jake)
+1y
They could fit if you wanted them to. You would just have to be careful with your bolt lengths on the otherside that they don't push into you taillight. I'm planning to weld mine shut. So it doesn't really matter for me.
91b2200(cody)
+1y
how does it latch shut .. or is it just the same as it was ??
can you get pics of the entire thinng opened and closed just so we/i know what it looks like .. iam very interested in doing this
can you get pics of the entire thinng opened and closed just so we/i know what it looks like .. iam very interested in doing this
jakec(jake)
+1y
It works the same as normal. But with only one latch on the opposite side. You just remove the latch from the side that has the hinges. Its pretty simple. Its how i did it. You could probably do it differently if you wanted to. My way puts alot of pressure on the latch itself, due to the weight of the tailgate. And will rub alot. It will be easier though when i hook the and latch up with a solenoid. Or so i hope.