Tailgate and Bumper Cap Damage

Hey guys,

So long story short I have three good dings in the tailgate. I thought that was it but this morning before taking it in for a quote I noticed there are some scratches in my rear bumper cap too. Can that be removed and still have the truck to drive? I feel like its just a cover over the BSMS and possibly parking sensors?

 

Yes, the bumper cap can be removed. Not sure if it is worth it for those scratches - they look like they can be buffed out. Anyways, if you want to, yes, they can be removed and you will be able to drive the truck while it is being repaired.

 

Paint less dent removal might work. I’ve had multiple dings pulled out for a reasonable price. My body guys charges 100 per panel so since your dents are all on the same panel that may work.
The bumper cap looks like it can be buffed out. If you have a low deductible than it might be worth it to file a claim. I had a gate close on my tundra and scratched it on the drivers side the first month I had it. I couldn’t cope with it since I saw it every time I entered/exit the truck. Bit the bullet and got it fixed.

 

The autobody guys said the scratches are too deep to make them disappear with buffing. You can feel them with your nail and apparently thats their rule of thumb to see if they can be buffed or not. Two of the dents that are side by side will need painted because the clear coat got f'd.

I am having trouble finding a video of bumper cap removal. All videos I found are of the chrome delete caps being installed.

 

The step pads have to come off first. They cover the fasteners holding the cap on. If you just pull it from above you’ll break a few tabs. Need an assortment of pliers to reach them from underneath. There’s a couple metal clips holding small plastic tabs between the bedside and the caps as well. I’m 50/50 over the years just pulling the whole monstrosity off, trailer hitch and all to get the caps off. Really usually depends on whether or not the step pads are being replaced.

That said, if it were my truck I’d let a trusted pdr guy do his best and buff the rest of it.

 

https://www.tundras.com/threads/how-to-remove-front-and-rear-bumper-caps-2017-and-reinstall.9858/

The process is the same. Once you get the step pads off it will become apparent how to get the plastic end pieces off. You don't have to remove the whole bracket from the truck, the plastic pieces are held to the bracket with a few plastic pins, and three clips on the end (you can see them where the bumper wraps around the side of the truck).

I can tell you the step pads are a real bitch. Trust me when I say a pair of 11 inch, 90 degree bent needle nose pliers from Harbor Freight make a world of difference.

I hope someone else can chime in here, but if you disconnect and reconnect those sonar sensors, does it require the dealer to re calibrate them?

 

Sonar, no. BSM, Which he won’t have to touch, yes.

 

Hey guys thanks for the input. Watched a video where they removed everything to install a new bumper. Those steps look like such a pain to get off. I will just be dropping my truck off to save breaking clips and or messing up a wire harness or something..that way I also don't scratch the freshly painted cap re-installing it haha

The quotes I've been getting for this have been brutal.
Just over $1000. Tough lesson learned. Bungee cords are garbage. Use ratchet straps everytime.

 

These life lessons suck. The bumper cap would look a lot better with a buff polish seal. The tailgate is gonna be tough might just file a claim and fix it all. You will have it on car history report so keep that in mind.

 

Yeah the cap could look a little better with a buff but they said they can't make it go away. It was an extra $150 to paint the cap so I'll just fix everything right. Otherwise I'll just stare at it and be mad.

Won't put it through insurance. I'll just pay and consider it a life lesson. $500 deductible anyways and then my insurance would go up a bunch I bet