Dented My Tailgate

I screwed up and dented my tailgate. I was pulling a light weight trailer and had my tailgate down. I know, bad idea. I was backing the trailer and when it turned, the jack part with the handle ran into the end (top) of the tailgate. Big dent. I took my truck to a local body shop and they want (are you KIDDING me?) $1500. They said they can’t repair it and that’s the cost of a new one, painted to match, with all the handles and stuff transferred. Is this normal? This has to be a fairly common problem. What have other people done in this situation? Thanks.

 

I would just try to find one off a wrecked Tacoma

 

This. You can have it painted for way less than buying a new one.

 

Bummer...I hate sick feeling you get when you realize you did something like this.

 

Sucks. I did something similar with my truck and trailer. It isn't worth the effort to fix it when they can buy a new one as "cheap" as they can. I ended up just living with my dent. I'd say keep an eye on Craigslist or check Amazon. A while back they were selling the outer skin of the tailgate for a couple hundred bucks.

 

Something like this: https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00O...a+tailgate&dpPl=1&dpID=410fJ1GUAwL&ref=plSrch

 

check junk yards in your area. A lot cheaper the a new one.

 

Junkyard, then a steel top rail and inner skin for your new old tailgate!! Like the Mobtown ones...

 

I bought one on ebay a while back when I dented mine for $325 painted to match and delivered.
Just had to transfer all the inards. Took light a half hour.

 

The wrecking yards want $400 to $800 for a tailgate with 2 to 4 hours damage. Screw that. I've already got one with 4 hours damage and it's not worth fixing. A new OEM unpainted shell is about $400 if you can get any kind of discount. I don't know anything about the aftermarket tailgates. I'm still keeping my eyes out on Craigslist for a nice one at a reasonable price. My isn't horrible, but it bugs me everytime I look at it.

 

Ever considered one of the aftermarket open type tailgates/Spare tire mounts?

 

Throw a net tailgate on it and it still looks cool because it's a tacoma.

 

I've got a Bakflip on the truck and I put stuff in the bed that I want to keep out of sight.

 

My old man did the same with the loaner I had when mine was in for a frame. not even quote as deep of an impression as yours, but once you crease that top section, they can't be repaired. I fixed it for about $450. (employee price for tailgate and buddy with a body shop) then swapped everything over myself in about 25 minutes

 

I meant the OP, but I know what you are saying... I have an access cover on my bed...

 

So to answer your question, yes that's quite overpriced.

 

bed the bed extender on it and call it done

 

Welcome to the red dented tailgate club. There are only a few of us so we gotta stick together.

 

Don't jinx me man, that's one club I'm gonna do my damnedest to not be a part of