Two-piece Midgate

[Oberloh]

AM I the only one who wishes Chevrolet had installed a 60/40 split two-piece midgate that would fold down either side independently so that you could slide long times like fishing poles, longer skies, lumber etc. in the bed/ back set and still seat people in the back? Anyone know of aftermarket adapters?

 

[EXT4ME]

I remember seeing a Youtube video once where a guy sawed his midgate in half to do as you suggest.

 

[MS03 2500]

I don't think a company sold them either

I split my midgate

thanks again to prince fu fu for not bidding against me, tho not totally complet, it is in. I wanted to get it in before the Indiana GTG. I also want to drive it for awhile to check for rattles or any other problems

www.chevyavalanchefanclub.com

I would just put a boat hatch in it,

 

[Oberloh]

A boat hatch is a great idea. I have seen the sawed in half one and the plywood one but there doesn’t seem to be the same sealing against wind and noise.

 

[Oberloh]

I remember seeing a Youtube video once where a guy sawed his midgate in half to do as you suggest.

I saw one also that was sawed in half and a plywood replacement, neither of which maintained the original sealing against the elements or rattle proofing that I think a professional one would have to have. I have been toying with the idea of 3D printing, sealable and lockable end caps that would snap ove the sawed ends of the mid gate. But the design process is beyond my basic home builder skill set.

 

[MS03 2500]

Many years ago I had a Pontiac Bonneville in the middle of the rear seat was a armrest with cupholders behind it another door to the trunk, it was there for skis. Of course I used it for 2x4 lumber also but they came very close to the radio

 

[frito]

Many years ago I had a Pontiac Bonneville in the middle of the rear seat was a armrest with cupholders behind it another door to the trunk, it was there for skis. Of course I used it for 2x4 lumber also but they came very close to the radio

My 2001 BMW 325i has the same thing. I ordered it so I could carry my hockey sticks.

 

[ygmn]

long time ago a member made a 60/40 midgate to match the seats.
Forget who but back before second gen came out ...

Best this old mind can remember.... pics and all.

 

[Vaeagleav]

Yes it was also discussed back in the olden days when we had someone at GM on the site to answer questions and read owner's suggestions. The GM rep back in the first gen days stated that it would create too many leak and locking issues to have the midgate split.

 

[Oberloh]

Many years ago I had a Pontiac Bonneville in the middle of the rear seat was a armrest with cupholders behind it another door to the trunk, it was there for skis. Of course I used it for 2x4 lumber also but they came very close to the radio

I remember my parent having on back in early ‘60s. Thanks for the feedback.

 

[Oberloh]

My 2001 BMW 325i has the same thing. I ordered it so I could carry my hockey sticks.

That’s awesome, hockey sticks would seem cumbersome without it,

 

[Oberloh]

Yes it was also discussed back in the olden days when we had someone at GM on the site to answer questions and read owner's suggestions. The GM rep back in the first gen days stated that it would create too many leak and locking issues to have the midgate split.

Wow, from the Horse’s mouth as it were.

Since 2003 I have been contemplating making a left and right, lockable, wind proof and water tight, end-caps out of a heavy duty polymer that is moulded to slip over (and fasten) both sides of a mid gate if 1-2 inches were “sawsall’ed out of the vertical space in the mid-gate between the 60-40 split.

I never wanted to spend the price of designing, engineering, layout and fabricating prototypes not to mar toon the manufacturing costs attached to the old fashion way but now with 3D printing... my son-in-law has a large 3D printer at his physics lab on campus and can fab them for a decent price I think. Any Ideas?