I had my tailgate down this weekend with the bed full of stuff. I was using my mirros to back up in a parking lot when I back into one of those steel polls that protect things like fire hydrants and water valves. I can get the tailgate to close but it is very had to get back open. The latch does not work very well and I don't think that I can lock it. The dent is on the very left end side of the tailgate. I will need to replace the plastic cover that lines the top of the bed as well as the bedline cover that is on the tailgate.

I am going to take in to a body shop tomorrow and see if they can fix it.

My guestion is do you folks think that I should have it fixed or just buy a new tailgate? Or see if I can find a used one that is in perfect shape and have it painted to match my truck? Also if I buy a new tailgate how much do you think that if will cost?

Thanks for your help,

TDawg

 

In my experience, once a tailgate is bent, it's not coming back.

Granted, this was experience with older trucks, so I don't know what the tailgate market is like for late models now a days, but I'd scope out trying to find a straight used one and repaint.

 

I'd go try and find a tail gate off of a front wrecked truck in a bone yard or something. With any luck, you might find one in the right color!

Otherwise, I'd just order a new one and be done with it.

 

Went to two body shops here in town and they both said that the could not fix it, they would have to replace the tailgate. They both quoted me a price of about $950.00 painted and installed. I think that I will just go with a new tailgate and just be done with it.

Thanks for the help,

Tdawg

 

There is a tailgate for sale in the classifieds for a flareside, if that is what you have. Check it out.

 

I replaced my gate after an incident with my boat trailer. I bought a foriegn made gate from Fenders & More for $80.00. I weighed the old and new just to see how chinsey it was and it weighed 5#'s less before paint, althogh I don't recall the weight. It fit perfectly and I'm willing to say you can't tell the difference. I painted it myself and transfered the internals, liner, and cap. I'm sure a body shop would paint one for $150 or so, everything is easy to change over.
Just another possibility.