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rear door hatch removal [message #66694]

Sat, 05 December 2009 05:10

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I''m thinking about removing the rear hatch on my parts coach and putting my toad inside for the winter for engine/head swap.

I'm pretty sure there will be enough room and it beats the alternative. (no garage)

What holds the hatch in besides the BIG RUSTY SCREWS? How much does it weigh?

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66699 is a reply to message #66694]

Sat, 05 December 2009 06:40

GMCWiperMan

Messages: 1248
Registered: December 2007

Karma: 1

Senior Member

Dave,

Aside from interior trim, only the peripheral screws hold the rear hatch in
place. A few years ago I and one of Jim Bounds' helpers moved one about
quite easily; I'd WAG the weight at 150#.

Must be a little toad. :-)

Ken H.
Americus, GA
'76 X-Birchaven
www.gmcwipersetc.com

On Sat, Dec 5, 2009 at 6:10 AM, dave silva <gmc@davesilva.com> wrote:

>
>
> I''m thinking about removing the rear hatch on my parts coach and putting
> my toad inside for the winter for engine/head swap.
>
> I'm pretty sure there will be enough room and it beats the alternative. (no
> garage)
>
> What holds the hatch in besides the BIG RUSTY SCREWS? How much does it
> weigh?
> --
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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66704 is a reply to message #66699]

Sat, 05 December 2009 07:11

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

thanks.

Toad is a 97 VW Cabrio. If the mirrors come above the place where the rear hatch widens it will fit no problem and once inside I think it will have enough walk around room to work on the engine all winter.
And it's a convertible so If I push it in with the top down I can climb in and drive it out Smile

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66722 is a reply to message #66704]

Sat, 05 December 2009 19:48

mike miller

Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon

Karma: 0

Senior Member

hertfordnc wrote on Sat, 05 December 2009 05:11

... Toad is a 97 VW Cabrio. If the mirrors come above the place where the rear hatch widens it will fit no problem and once inside I think it will have enough walk around room to work on the engine all winter. ...

I didn't think it was that wide between the rear wheel wells. I'd do a lot of measuring before putting much work into removing the hatch.

Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66744 is a reply to message #66722]

Sun, 06 December 2009 08:29

tphipps

Messages: 3005
Registered: August 2004
Location: Spanish Fort, AL

Karma: 9

Senior Member

Send photos after you do this. Will be great entertainment. I remember that Jim Bounds was working with someone to use a GMC for hauling his Lotus Super 7 race car inside the GMC rear. However, I think the project was abandoned.
Tom Phipps

2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66747 is a reply to message #66744]

Sun, 06 December 2009 12:13

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

Karma: 0

Senior Member

I love this board.

How outragious must an idea before someone says you're an idiot?

Funny thing, i asked some very conventional, straightforward questions about some engine work on the VW and i wore off some of my thick skin with some of their responses.

Good point about the wheel wells. and I will definately take pictures.

I think it will look really strange through the windshield of the coach or from the side door.

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

[Updated on: Sun, 06 December 2009 12:15]

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66748 is a reply to message #66747]

Sun, 06 December 2009 12:26

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

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I measered the wheel wells - 63 inches inside to inside. The car tires are 62" apart.

And of course, i could always cut out th wheel wells, or better yeat, sell them to someone who's blown a tire.

It would be kinda' cool to have a toad stuffed right into the coach.

You'd give up a lot space but the James Bond factor might be worth it Smile

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66754 is a reply to message #66748]

Sun, 06 December 2009 13:58

WD0AFQ

Messages: 7111
Registered: November 2004
Location: Dexter, Mo.

Karma: 207

Senior Member

Dave, I have a friend, in Aberdean, SD, that hauls his Mini Coopers in his GMC. I suspect that his original Minis are narrower than your VW though.
Dan

3 In Stainless Exhaust Headers One Ton All Discs/Reaction Arm 355 FD/Quad Bag/Alum Radiator Manny Tran/New eng. Holley EFI/10 Tire Air Monitoring System Solarized Coach/Upgraded Windows Satelite TV/On Demand Hot Water/3Way Refer

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66780 is a reply to message #66754]

Mon, 07 December 2009 13:05

hertfordnc

Messages: 1164
Registered: September 2009
Location: East NC

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I checked and the tow cars are amazingly close in size. Not that it matters because I have no interest in a drive-on toad hauler but I was surprised that my Cabrio is only 10 inches longer than a Mini and the same across all other dimensions including wheelbase.

I'm thinking the Cabrio is going to make an excellent toad.

Dave & Ellen Silva Hertford, NC 76 Birchaven, 1-ton and other stuff Currently planning the Great american Road Trip Summer 2021 It's gonna take a lot of Adderall to get this thing right.

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Re: [GMCnet] rear door hatch removal [message #66784 is a reply to message #66780]

Mon, 07 December 2009 13:22

Larry C

Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...

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Senior Member

I'm thinking the Cabrio is going to make an excellent toad.
__________________________________________________________

I use a 99 Cabrio as a toad. She follows the GMC on a Dolly and has the US brake system installed.

The Cabrio is a bit heavy for the job and still taxes the brakes but the GM power seems enough for the GMC but towing makes her work harder.

But if there is no power issue and hopefully the tranny will take the extra work duty, She is a fun little car for a toad.

LarC ( Enjoy towing the Cabrio but really ENJOY driving around with the top down )

Gatsbys' CRUISER

08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
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