Tailgate question

So I had a little mishap with my tailgate and went to have it appraised by a body shop. They said it would cost 1200 bucks to fix it!!

so I started looking online to see how much a brand new tailgate would cost. I found a few just under 300 just primed. I was wondering if the tailgates were all the same on the 2nd gen and if I could just pull the back up camera out and put it in the new tailgate? Anybody know?

 

As far as I know, they are all the same. The only difference being that later models came with reinforced tailgates to keep them from folding in the middle. But that was doesn't affect the way its mounted or its appearance.

 

I think the pre-camera (08/09?) models didn't have some of the holes to route the camera wiring. Not sure - but if you go used that might be a consideration.

I have a big dent in mine. Haven't had the time to get an estimate yet.

TL

 

Something to be aware of, is that some of those online retailers are actually selling stolen tailgates.

Buyer beware.

 

Yea I was think about running by a scrap yard and seeing if I could find one. I was just wondering if the handles were different sizes. If there isn't a hole I'm sure I could drill one.
Definitely dont want the cops coming to my house and taking the tailgate.

 

what kind of mishap? i just did some damage to mine also. going to get it looked at today. how bad is your compared to mine?

EDIT: what do you think this will cost\?

 

Find someone with the same color truck as you (note they cannot have any kind of anti-theft tailgate device). Take their tailgate off and put it on your truck. Then take your tailgate and put it on their truck. Then they come out of the bar, strip club, or any place with a darkly lit parking lot and no security cameras. They look at their tailgate and think, "Who the hell backed into my tailgate?" Problem solved!!!

P.S. just kidding. The only way I would buy a tailgate really cheap ($300) is if I saw the person's truck and they had modded the rear for a spare tire carrier or something like that. Otherwise, I would just assume it has been stolen.

 

i just found out the cost. 2 shops came back 384(one year on finishes)- 478(life time on finishes) what do you guys think, pay for the life time on finishes? and what do you all think of dupont compared to ppg

 

Get some of those sheet metal vise grips that have the wide flat mouth on them and put a cloth folded over a coupla times and squeeze that shit out. Simple & free....if you know someone who has a pr of those vise grips.........like these

http://www.alibaba.com/product-gs/228882619/Flat_mouth_Lock_Grip_pliers_CH.html