09 Tacoma Top of Tailgate Damage

Went into the grocery store then came out and saw the damage to my tailgate...stupid me for leaving the tailgate down.....anyone know what the approximate cost is to fix it?

 

That sucks. Whatever your insurance deductible is if you want to report it.

 

If you want to go on the cheap you could check your local craigslist etc for tailgates, they pop up from time to time. Only problem is that most of them are probably stolen.

 

Thanks, but I wonder if it is cheaper to repair it?

 

Find a good paintless dent repair guy in your area. Most will probably turn down the work, but you might find one daring enough to try popping it out enough to look OK (but it won't be perfect).

As for leaving the tailgate down -- I have a rule in life that seems to work quite well -- "I'd rather spare a few minutes of inconvenience than live with a lifetime of regret". Also expect the worst, all the time, and act accordingly.

 

In a hurry one afternoon, I left the tailgate down with the trailer connected and drove off. The trailer's tongue jack crunched the top edge of the tailgate on the first turn.

It ran about $1500 all-in, including the new skin, new emblems, new top rail, paint, and R&R. I checked with three different paintless dent guys and none of them would touch it.

 

@Ole8636 Silver is a common color. Could have found a used replacement tailgate shell for less than $500 and transferred all the other parts over yourself. Tailgate assembly is relatively simple. This I found out after installing a Pop N Lock locking handle.

Live and learn

 

Oh, I didn't pay $1500. Checked with insurance and confirmed that my rates wouldn't go up if their out-of-pocket was less than $1k. My deductible is $500, and their share came out to something like $986. Before taking the leap I checked around and couldn't find a cheaper option, especially given that I have a Pyrite Mica, so I wrote the check for $500 and now I check the tailgate twice before moving the trailer.

You're right - the internals aren't complex and the steel is really flimsy, which is why I have a steel cap and reinforcement plate from Mobtown now!

 

Absolutely agree with your rule 100%....

 

Oh Pyrite Mica. I confused your post with Ole8636's.

 

Do you have a link that leads me to Mobtown or is that local in your area....thanks..

 

^Scroll through this section: https://www.tacomaworld.com/forums/mobtown-offroad.195/

Mobtown sells a Tailgate Reinforcement Cap and a Reinforced Inner Steel Tailgate Skin.

Beware, this is how TW uncontrolled expenditures start.

 

Mobtown has a sale going on through today, free cap with tailgate reinforcement purchase:

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/mobtown-offroads-2016-independence-day-sale.439277

 

I got a replacement tailgate off of a dealer on eBay. It was color matched and was around 400$. Just have to swap your hardware to the new one and your done. Everything lined up perfect.

 

My daughter and SIL borrowed my truck about 3 years ago to move and did similar damage. You're gonna have to replace the tailgate or live with it. I have a $500 deductable on my insurance and decided it was better to pay out of pocket rather than file a claim. I found some used tailgates for $250-$300, but none in white. Buying another color and then paying to have it painted just wasn't worth it to me. After 2 years I never found a white one and the dent doesn't bother me so much.

Fortunately my cap covers most of my dent. It can be seen slightly left of center in this pic. It is much more noticeable with the cap open.

 

Sounds like things worked out for you. You'll love the Mobtown tailgate plate. I have the smooth version and I recommend it highly. I'm going to order the tailgate cap from Mobtown if I can catch it on sale, like maybe black Friday.

 

Man I need the tailgate cap, I have the smooth version of the tailgate plate. I just need to find someone local to go halves with me lol.

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/tailgate.438545/#post-12718027 .
try this saw it a few days ago not the same color but????

 

That looks like a new tailgate to me, our gates are thin and cheesy.

 

I'd snatch it up if it was in San Antonio....thanks