Tailgate damage - need new tailgate

Man...did something silly. Backed into a parking space, got distracted and thought I was in park, nope, still in drive and let go of the brake. There was Mr. Tree behind me and I hit it. Sent the pics to all those painless dent repair folks only to hear I need a brand new tailgate. If I purchase one directly from Toyota, $539 for a matte black one. Then you take it to an auto body shop to have it painted, and remove the hardware from the existing one to the new one. Estimate total a little over $1100. Estimate for the same service with an aftermarket tailgate a little of $800.

Dammit. Anyone selling a tailgate in Pyrite Mica? Started thinking maybe do a net type setup for a bit but it looks like you have to drill. Any other options? I don't want to drill for one of those things.

My insurance has a $500 deductible. Not sure if this would cause my rate to go up, if so might just bite the bullet and pay out of pocket.

 

I've got one in silver.

Will

 

Have you already checked craigslist? Even if you had this one painted (I can't tell if it's the right color or not). You should come out a few dollars ahead. http://orangecounty.craigslist.org/pts/4404461920.html

 

Wat are u gonna do with the dented one? I'm in SD would be interested in it for the right price.

 

Thanks guys, I appreciate the responses. Will, how much for your silver one? Where are you located? 2ski4life7 probably nothing once replaced. We can PM once I get that handled if you are interested.

 

Look into getting a tiregate the spare is now easy to get to. And you can have it stick out prerunner style and it gives u something solid. Its all steel tubing as opposed to sheet steel

 

Ok, I'm curious , why do you want a bashed in tailgate?

 

U could always build ir have one built out of angle (there may be an aftermarket one for sell also) for less than $500 and have it bedlined. Mine has some dents in it and i think i wanna build one that drops with a built in swing out bed extender/ spare tire carrier. Just saying when ppl have bumper replacements they usually upgrade so why not a tail gate too?

 

I use my tailgate to shuttle mountain bikes. I scratched it a while ago and cost me 400 to fix. Was thinking fix this up so somewhat and then paint/line with some protection so I can haul the bikes an not worry about what happens to it.

 

Was he picking them up in parking lots?