'02 Tailgate Issues

Hey guys.
Fridge blew on Saturday - found one local store with one in stock vs waiting til november through lowes or HD due to Covid
Sure support local, drive to their warehouse to get it. Loading dude says don't turn on the fresh pavement and back into that bay - I kindly oblige
I see there's a foot and a half drop from tailgate to the dolly and bay. Halfway through asking him if he is planning on using ramps, he full rolls it off and straight drop onto my gate and leaves it there.
I made a comment about how that was uncalled for, hope there's no issues w my gate, etc.
Get home and sure enough go to open and it's stuck, handle has that old stuck feeling too.
Gate won't close without slamming 2-3 times and now will not lock
I called company and they called back I explained all details; they are asking what I want. I told them a functioning gate like when I went in. They are reviewing video - there was another 2 guys there that were both WTF faces when it happened.

So, should I be shopping at local Toyota for OEM gate replacement?

 

Man that sucks. Some people just don’t care about anyone’s things. Hopefully the company can get you a new or working tailgate.

 

Yes. Go all OEM and spare no expense.

 

that's my hand right now
they have it on video, i have the cards
depending on how they handle this I could be nice and have my buddy get it all for a discount
she asked if it was hinges or tailgate - I said gate. The drop landed right on handle and hardware

 

they might fight if they ask to see.
I have a small rust spot and dent on top of my gate.
They will try and say given miles and age, spot, they doubt it worked before

 

Just stick with your demand. You might mention in court you can prove they caused damage. They would have to prove there was a problem with the tailgate before. They can not so Judge would not consider. Depends on Judge but he might take off just a little for depreciation because of the rust spot and dent. But not much.
Bottom line is you went in with a working tailgate. Because of their negligence it was damaged.

And couple other notes.
Dont forget the cup hinges since they are separate. A chance they are bent.
I replaced mine with a aftermarket tailgate from rock auto. Looks great and worked good. But I did notice the OEM one was a lot heavier so more heavy duty.
So at least try for a oem quality.
Also on mine the other par of the hinge was bent some. Not really a replaceable part.
You really need to take it to toyota and get an estimate. Confirm the problem. Dont want a new tailgate and find still does not latch.
Could just need to straighten that part of the hinge. Or need the replaceable hinge cup, the tailgate, the latch or everything.

First be able to prove and confirm what you really need.

 

Agreed, definitely get your own estimate directly from the dealer. Don't them get the estimate from their preferred repair shop.

 

Rust spot or dent doesn't matter, they need to make you whole. Is the tailgate bent?

Also does the fridge work? I don't know how a guy working there could be so careless. I've loaded and unloaded several fridges in my truck and I'm always careful with them, fridges don't like jolts.

 

Yup, that's what I was gonna say. Explain to the service dept rep what happened and have them write up an estimate.

 

Wow. Even if he hadn't damaged the tailgate, that's a pretty harsh way to treat a new fridge... what a knucklehead.

Is the tailgate physically bent over the length of it or is the interior skin dented? A body shop could probably correct either of those quite easily, and would be the quickest solution. Depending on how bad the bow/dent is, I might try to correct it on my own... but that's just how I roll.

You also might try a salvage yard. If you can get one the same color, it will probably be a better paint match than brand new since your paint has 15 - 20 years of exposure to the elements.

 

Had a similar incident with some Ikea furniture we ordered. Went to pick up at a distribution center and the guy loading it into the bed of my truck full on rammed me with the forklift. Left two perfect forklift dents in the top of the tailgate which was in the open position. They tried to act like it didnt happen. My daughter was in the car and came running out of the truck like a bomb had went off when he rammed it. I got the vibe they were gonna make this whole experience hell, luckily a tailgate cap covered the dents and I just let it go. Just didn't have the time or energy to fight with them. Plus the gate already had a few dents and dings in it.

 

Note to self:
Pre-meeting with any forklift drivers loading stuff into my truck and maybe video tape them during it.....

 

Getting two estimates today. One from their place and one from dealership.
also called and informed them of some fridge damage on bottom panel where fan and tubing are, surprised coils didn’t take a hit. One screw completely ripped out, metal is pulled apart and bent.
They’re getting pics and they are aware I am going after more than a tail gate fix at this point.

 

They need to throw in some beer with your new fridge. What a miserable ordeal.

 

Lager!

 

I need some Triple IPA's after this
Dealership quoted me at $702 before they even get into the 'hardware' - they couldn't quote everything so they noted "can't see internal, expecting hardware / mechanical issues requiring replacement."

 

lolol it wasn't even for the gate.
Replace: access cover $201; add for clear coat
Repair: tail gate. "Tailgate does not function properly. We anticipate internal damage to gate and internal mechanisms."
looks like dealer quoted only access panel and a bunch of paint and clear coat
8.4 hours paint
2.5 hours body labor

 

don't forget the factory badges...

 

Yeah that is what I figured. I put it up for you for ammo. If its just the gate that is jacked up (and not body hinge post/cups) this should be an easy DIY swap out. You collect the $ and DIY. It might be worth it. If its the bed stuff thats jacked, then let the shop do it.

 

It’s all internal mechanisms that’s jacked up. Handle, locks, etc