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Two-piece Midgate

Oberloh

Full Member
Joined
Dec 2, 2020
Messages
109
Location
Northern California
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?
 
I remember seeing a Youtube video once where a guy sawed his midgate in half to do as you suggest.
 
I don't think a company sold them either

I would just put a boat hatch in it,
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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?
 
I like the idea of more space for fishing poles. Be buying 2 piece poles for my KastKing Reels. Would be nice to have double doors in back area. Access tools on one side, access for fishing gear on the other.. I'll have to check out the Utube videos on that.
 
I bought a new Chevy Avalanche when they first came out and love it. When I retired my wife suggested I sell it to my friend's son who wanted it badly. So I did. I missed it very much so I decided to buy the Cadillac verison Escalade EXT. I found a very clean 2005, which I now use daily for my handyman work and Love.
I use my midgate all the time for longer items like ladders and full sheets of plywood and sheetrock, but have been trying to figure out the best way to cut the midgate between the double seat and the single seat. I think buy cutting the inside midgate wall and inch longer and the back side an inch short so they overlap when closed. I would then add a trim to seal the edge when closed again.
My other idea is to install two boat deck hatches back to back. One in the truck bed midgate and other one on the inside midgate wall . So if you open both you can pass thru long items like wood beams, fishing-rods and so forth. When you close both of them you have a good water tight seal and quite in the cab. What do you all think on either idea? I 've been thinking on it a long time afraid to try either.

I love my Cadillac Escalade EXT
 
go look in MODS: EXTERIOR and maybe it was MODS: INTERIOR.

someone way back in say around 2005 or so split his mid gate into 2 pieces 60/40 so it would line up with the seats when folded.

H did good job and look well done at the time. Thread was loaded with info.
 
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.
I know its been awaile since this post, but... It sees that engineers have worked out those problems with the new electric Silverado's mid-gate.
 
I bought a new Chevy Avalanche when they first came out and love it. When I retired my wife suggested I sell it to my friend's son who wanted it badly. So I did. I missed it very much so I decided to buy the Cadillac verison Escalade EXT. I found a very clean 2005, which I now use daily for my handyman work and Love.
I use my midgate all the time for longer items like ladders and full sheets of plywood and sheetrock, but have been trying to figure out the best way to cut the midgate between the double seat and the single seat. I cutting the inside mid-gate wall and inch longer and the back side an inch short so they overlap when closed. I would then add a trim to seal the edge when closed again.
My other idea is to install two boat deck hatches back to back. One in the truck bed midgate and other one on the inside mid-gate wall . So if you open both you can pass thru long items like wood beams, fishing-rods and so forth. When you close both of them you have a good water tight seal and quite in the cab. What do you all think on either idea? I 've been thinking on it a long time afraid to try either.

I love my Cadillac Escalade EXT
Chichi, Your design sounds like very much like what I had in mind for the overlap between the two sides of the seats. If it helps... I thought of using a used mid-gate as a prototype and cutting it straight down the center between the 60-40. Kydex is a DIY moldable material that dries to any shape and is as strong as any plastic sheet the factory would use. It can also be heated in any kitchen oven and reheated to work out errors any initial applications. It is used extensively to make molded knife and handgun sheaths/holsters. I was entertaining the idea of cutting approximately
1/4 + - inch off of one side and making an end cap for each side with an overlap on the bed side of which seat is individually lowered the most. You can bevel the edge of the kydex to be less obtrusive when or even grind out the thickness of the kydex you choose, ( I use 1/16th inch thick kydex for knife sheaths) so that when both seats are laid flat, the overlap (called an 'astragal' in cabinet making and some carpentry) sits flush with the receiving seat back panel. Hard foam can be adhered on one side to be an insulator when closed.
The only issue I wonder about is if the 60% seat will be solid when closed because the separation would leave only one factory latch on each side. An aftermarket latch could be used in a pinch though.

I would manufacture these full midi-gates, or even DIY kits, if enough Avalanche owners would purchase them (discount for AFC members of course)

All the best,

Don
 
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