Taillight Bracket Repair

About a few months ago i smacked the rear corner panel of my truck, which tore the taillight out of the bracket as well as deforming the 4 brackets that hold the taillight in place. so i’m wondering what would be the best option, whether to replace the whole rear corner panel or just try to reform them to the way they were at.

 

Post a pic. It will get you better suggestions.. I'm sure it will depend on the amount of damage.

 

okay i gotchea

 

as you can see they got all bent outta wack i can get a taillight on but it’s barely jerry rigged on there

 

Thats a decent sized dent. Id try to put it out if you dont want to take it to a body shop or PDR guy. You could also put a deflated football in there, and inflate it slowly to get it closer to the original shape

 

If you're not familiar with body work, I'd try the deflated football trick first. But if you want this looking like brand new, then take it to a reputable body shop for repairs. As for the rear bumper, I'd replace that one myself.

 

If you have the equipment, paint skills, and a garage, you can make a temp spray booth with plastic and do this yourself. Personally I'd pull the bumper and bedliner, pull the outer panel, bench it and do the body work, repaint it. It will take a base coat and clear coat. Have a new tail light on hand so you can ensure a perfect fit.

That looks like a metalflake based silver, which requires constant mixing and a gentle hand while spraying, so emphasis on painting skills.

 

Paint code on door sticker if original paint.
I'm 4p7 Mystic gold metallic. Nice to meet you

 

That is a bedside 100%
(If u call your Insurance…..then prepare yourself for a “bend over a barrel” once you renew policy).
Me: Ins adjuster on 26th year

If a call to ins not in the cards…..totally understandable…….
If just looking to mount tail lamp…
I really like the “deflated football” idea by fatfurious stated
Also this
Relatively cheap….works well to keep taco legal

 

Zero chance that PDR guy would ever attempt
Mainly bc of this fold on a bodyline lip

 

@3pooches is a PDR guy. Could PDR help in this situation? Not saying completely fix, but help?

 

I've seen some really hard-core pdr done but there has to be paint for paintless dent removal. Just saying that's creased quit A bit.

 

It sucks to damage our trucks, but realistically it's a 22-yr old truck.
Try the football option with a taillight from Ebay Pair Tail Lights Brake Lamps Assembly w/ Bulbs Fit For 2001-2004 Toyota Tacoma | eBay and bumper 2003 Toyota Tacoma Rear Bumper for sale | eBay

Haven't bought from either one of these sellers but they have sold a decent amount of items