Dutch Doors - I'm crazy enough to do it.

[96Blastro]

My 85 Astro is tubbed, fuel cell mounted in the back. If for some reason I cant get the hatch open, cant put gas in, probably would be screwed. I would also have to run wires to make it work by electric, rather not add anything to my van that could make it break down, blow fuses maybe. My Astro is more for fun, rather keep it simple, not fun to break down. I think the Dutch doors on my prostreet shorty Astro would be cool. I wanted to make my barn doors just one swing door, easier to get gas in, and look cool. It would be less welding and body work on the Dutch doors.

I really like this idea. Make it a big lambo door. I wanna make my slide a big suicide door and make my pop out Windows roll down a few inches. Wish I could relocate the fuel filler neck so I could make the Windows go all the way down. Just some dreams.

[ProStreet_LS1]

Weld the doors together, bracing on the inside and fill the gap on outside, a lot of bodywork. It has already been done. I cant remember his name, but it is on cardomain.
Another cool idea, mount led tail lights in the doors. Would actually be higher up than a roll pan, safety wise.


Another question, does the Dutch hatch, with the key and button setup, require the key or does it open by just pushing the button.

[cowboydan]

Weld the doors together, bracing on the inside and fill the gap on outside, a lot of bodywork. It has already been done. I cant remember his name, but it is on cardomain.
Another cool idea, mount led tail lights in the doors. Would actually be higher up than a roll pan, safety wise.


Another question, does the Dutch hatch, with the key and button setup, require the key or does it open by just pushing the button.

i can use the button on the dash, or i also can use a key on the door, but it releases the lock by power.

[ProStreet_LS1]

I do not plan on adding the power to the hatch. My question is will the hatch work with just a key to open it, no power. Also will it work with no key, just using the button. I am not to worried about locking the hatch.

[88astroLT]

90-97 have the button on the dash 98-05 have the button on the door only

[Gazjen]

I do not plan on adding the power to the hatch. My question is will the hatch work with just a key to open it, no power. Also will it work with no key, just using the button. I am not to worried about locking the hatch.

No you need power as the hatch part is released via a solenoid in the hatch itself

and also there is a switch on the gas struts which locks the dutch doors as you close the hatch

[DaveAstro]

i just picked up a set of dutch doors finally and am planning on doing this change after my next big road trip.
I plan on removing the plate box,handle and key hole from the door and smoothing it over completely. I'm examining all my options now on how to open the door.
on the barn doors it was very simple to relocate a push button release to the inside, but because of the dutch door hatch, I can't do it the same way.
I haven't had a chance to examine all the hardware the came with the doors, I'm hoping to install a button under the van or something to pop the hatch with.


should prove to be an interesting project.

[cowboydan]

best of luck. hope it all works out for you.

[DaveAstro]

can someone who has done this on an early astro that doesn't come with the stamped spot for the hinges take pics of their hinge mounting?
looking at it looks like I have to cut into that rib that goes across the door top to get at the studs once I drill the holes.

[ProStreet_LS1]

You do have to cut slot in the inside brace to get to the bolts.

[Lumpy]

My 85 Astro is tubbed, fuel cell mounted in the back...

Have we ever seen pictures of that fuel cell install? Maybe I missed it.


Lump

[Jasen]

Just tossing this in here as reference as far as opening dutch doors. My 97 cargo has no dash button, just turn the key in the barn door. But I did add a momentary switch in the back next to the slide which I spliced into the hatch release module mounted by the jack.

[MobileCustoms]

Late to the game, I am sure, but I have had two vans... One with dutch doors and one without and I clearly prefer the dutch door setup.
So many advantages. One in particular is the the barn doors leave a huge blind spot right in the middle.
The other is the ease of hauling long boards and what-not with the dutch doors.

[StanVan]

You could put a fuel inlet in the side wall, like the stock tank has. Without that, I'd be worried about even a small fuel spill, regardless of what door you have.

My 2000 cargo didn't have a dash button either. Since mine is rigged for camping, a dash button is just as useless as having to open it from the outside. So I rigged a push button on the inside of the Dutch door, next to the pull handle.

[DRZ]

http://s296.photobucket.com/albums/mm17 ... ?start=all
pics on my dutch door inner manual opener. Sorry no pic of the bell crank mechanism as my camera battery picked that moment to go dead.

[DaveAstro]

You do have to cut slot in the inside brace to get to the bolts.

heh, I have already cut into that on the other side for my sunroof.....

[markmitch]

I have an 89 and it has the drivers side rear door had a tire carrier on it and the previous owner apparently back to far up and hit the spare tire on something and in the process bent the door in beyond repair so after reading this whole topic I decided to see what it would cost to do this swap. I found the whole set up, doors , hatch, wiring & seals for $150.00 so I am doing it this spring too. I am also adding 93 caddy tail lights, 93 nissan quest back up lights, welding in the plate hole and customizing the rear bumper so its all gonna be done in one job so to speak.

[markmitch]

pictures of the donor van I am getting the dutch doors from.

[icebrrg3rd]

Looks nice, is there any rust under that snow on the hatch? Every Dutch door I come across in the yards have been damaged. Seems like people pry the doors open just to get a door handle or the window is busted out or they are severely rusty. I like my barn doors, but I have been pondering the Dutch doors due to the rear defrost & wiper.

Keep up the pics of the progress.

-Andrew

[markmitch]

I looked the doors over and seen no rust or damage .