Repair question

Posted earlier about my fu*@ed up rear end collision. My question, insurance is asking my shop to try and repair my damaged tailgate, shop is telling me it’s almost impossible to repair because of the high strength steel, it can’t be bent or maneuvered back to factory original. They are going to look at at it and immediately request the tailgate be replaced. I agree but am looking for input..

 

Sorry man.

The tailgate is a complicated part made up of sheet metal wrapped around a sheet metal frame. That’s good, and also bad.

I have learned to straighten, or “bump”, metal- restoring old car body parts. I’m an amateur. The pros are artists, and I mean that.

The great thing about our trucks is that they are still mostly metal- they can be restored using traditional metal bumping methods and also (because they are thin) newer paintless dent removal techniques.

The problem is labor. The dudes who straighten metal get paid, and you have to pay shop hours. Probably $100+ an hour for metal work and paint at a good shop.

At this point, I’d have to think a replacement tailgate is cheaper, provided you carry the existing camera and wiring over.

Otherwise, you’re paying crazy shop labor hours to fix a part that is more cheaply replaced.

In 50 years maybe someone will restore the truck. Tailgates will be nearly unobtainium. At THAT point having skilled metal work done makes more sense.

 

Our tailgates are not HSS, so if it can be repaired for less then the cost of a new one $690.92 it is an option. All depends on how much damage there is on it.

 

Shop guys have it, they are quoting 9 hours of labor to fix, then paint and seal. Pushing for new one through insurance, I’m all for it.