Tailgate issues...looking for ideas and opinions.

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:19 pm

Several weeks ago I slowly backed up in a parking lot. Instead of having just a pole for lighting they decided to add a giant cement block around it that I couldnt see at night. I bumped into that and instead of just tapping my back bumper it hit the spare tire. I thought the damage was minimal and that I just needed a new tire carrier. I took that all off yesterday to start popping the dents out. turns out it was worse than I expected. The tailgate is pushed in where there bracket connects. There is internal support structure in these places that also must have gotten pushed in. the tailgate closes fine so it is not twisted or anything that severe. I took it to a body shop yesterday and they said it is not repairable and that they would need to put a new tailgate on. they qouted me over $1700!! Im going to check out cheapo Maaco today and see what they say. In the mean time I have been searching salvage yards like crazy but they are all dammaged as bad or worse than mine. I was considering a couple other options. Have the tailgate just smoothed out completely if thats possible. have the spare tire bracket holes filled and not mounting the tire there any more. I like the look of it on the tailgate, but if its 1700 to repair its definitly not worth it. Also i dont want this to happen again. If it would have hit the bumper i could have spent about $1 of bedliner and 5 min of time repairing. I was thinking then I could get a roof basket and put it up there (this would not be ideal because I would like to be able to carry surfboards up there sometimes). Or I was wondering if those swing out rear tire carriers could somehow be fitted to the stock plastic bumper. I never took the rear bumber off so not sure how much metal there is to attach this too. wanted to see what the LOST crew thought of these options
Thanks

fratichelli · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 3:26 pm

You might want to follow this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=36&t=66114

infernicus · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 4:19 pm

Depending how damaged the tailgate is, you can get away with it.
I did the same thing and backed into a pole.
I hit it more on the side of the tire so I was able to just put a washer behind the carrier on each of the bolts on one side to level out the tire.
With my damage, with the tire on, you can not even see anything is wrong.
I would look to see if the paint is chipped then touch it up to not prevent any rust.
With the weight of the tire, and the vibrations of it mounted to the tailgate, if you attempt to put bondo or anything similar, it will just crack.

Good Luck!

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 5:51 pm

Infernicus, thats exactly what happened with mine. but in addition i had a dent that formed out side of where the tire covers some how. I popped it out but there is still a crease mark. I went to Maaco and they said $650 with factory paint and lifetime warranty. Seemed much more realistic than that $1700 quote! Im gonna try this ghetto looking place next just to see what they quote.
Has anyone ever put a swing out carrier on with the factory bumper?

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Tue Apr 17, 2012 6:35 pm

I was quoted $800 and $1800 to have mine fixed when someone rearended me. My Jeep did this to their truck

Don't worry about getting the tailgate fixed

user113 · **Posted:** Wed Apr 18, 2012 10:00 pm

Will a tailgate from a 2002 fit?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/2002-2003-Jeep- ... 256ef00659

Oh yeah, it's red. :shock:

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 7:28 am

I went to a junk yard, they had a 2002 one but said it wouldn't fit. I'm curious to know if that is true...if 2002 tailgates won't work on a 05-07...or even 03-04...

tommudd · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 8:48 am

There is a difference but not sure what it is
02 - 55176934AD
03 - 55176934AE
04-06 - 55176934AH
I would assume just very minor differences ( if any) since only the last two letters changed during that time

surfRenegade · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 2:07 pm

Maybe something minor with the hinges?? they look identicle from all other regards.
Thanks for posting this red one. I actually saw it on there but I think after shipping and paint it wont work for me. Maybe it can help you out Sarah?

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 6:37 pm

surfRenegade wrote:

Maybe something minor with the hinges?? they look identicle from all other regards.
Thanks for posting this red one. I actually saw it on there but I think after shipping and paint it wont work for me. Maybe it can help you out Sarah?

Nah it won't help me. Dad told me not to get another tailgate because I will probably get rear ended again.

user113 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 9:39 pm

Interesting philosophy. I keep trying it on my wife, like with vacuuming the carpet, washing the dog, mowing the grass and so forth, but she's not buying it.

blackwidowkj06 · **Posted:** Thu Apr 19, 2012 10:10 pm

user113 wrote:

Interesting philosophy. I keep trying it on my wife, like with vacuuming the carpet, washing the dog, mowing the grass and so forth, but she's not buying it.

Besides the Jeep is almost paid off and I do not plan on selling it either.

Considering I'm a "Jeep Chic" and like to off-road, a bent up tailgate doesn't bother me and is the least of my concerns. Just goes to show how tough these Jeeps are.

Tailgate issues...looking for ideas and opinions.

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