Some lady was busy yappin' on her phone and slappin' her kid in back seat and slammed into me at a traffic light. My 1989 4runner is looking sad. Got an insurace settlement. Now I've gotta find a tailgate. My local scrapyard want 650 for one they have. I'm hoping to find one cheaper so I can afford to buy some new toys.

Any sources you guys could recommend would be appreciated!

Any hints on saving the glass which is intact and up but I dont see how I can get it out of the smashed tailgate without breaking it. I would like to save it -

Thanks

Ouch!

For parts, try http://www.car-part.com/ to search nearby junkyards (not sure where you are located, might want to fill out your user profile).

For removing the glass, maybe a SawZall or other metal cutting device to remove the back of the tailgate to gain access to the inner parts. Not sure if you can get to everything through the access panel inside or not.

Just cut a big hole in the tailgate, both sides if necessary, to be able to access all the components so you can unbolt your window. Sawzall will work fine, just make sure you use a short blade so you don't jab it into anything on the inside of the door. But for less vibration use a high speed cutter that runs off an air compressor(if you have one). They usually use a 3" cutting disc that turns at like 20,000 RPM, and they work good. Or an air powered sheet metal nibbler will work even better once you get a hole started. I used both of these to cut open the outside of my doors on my car after it was hit in the side to do the same thing-save the glass.

You can get a brand new (pre-primed) tailgate on ebay for $100 shipping included......
Here is one for an example:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...p;item=7982045549&category=33640

hahaha....you could have used a rear bumper like mine <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cyclops.gif" alt="" />

That's a pickup tailgate. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

MY BAD, wrong link......
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...p;category=33647&sspagename=WDVW

I think this is what he's looking for...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...647&item=7981572482&rd=1

Here's one with zero bid..99 cents...It's in New Jersey. Pick up only. Might be worth the road trip. Even with gas at 2 bucks a gal. if you get 20mpg, you're only looking at less than 150 worth of gas...I think.


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...647&item=7981403369&rd=1

Talk to CJM about a fiberglass replacement. Will cost you alot less than what you have been quoted so far. I paid like $70 for the used replacement for my 87'and it came with regulator but no glass. I had new glass anyways...different story. Keep in mind that your used tailgates will have some blemishes and dont be afraid of getting one that is a different color. Painting to match is cheap. I gave my old one away to Cisco for him to butcher and use on his trailrig.

For pulling the glass from your existing mangled metal, pull the inside cover, raise the window to halfway point (tailgate down btw-part of that story I was mentioning <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />) unbolt the regulator and slide the arms off the channels at the bottom of the glass. Window will slide out easily. No reason to hack anything. Besides, you are going to want to transfer the lock cylinder, window switch over to the new tailgate anyways...unless you are lucky enough to find one complete with key.

~Darin <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/baby.gif" alt="" />

Guess I should of added to only start hacking away at stuff IF your tailgate is so mangled that you can't get stuff to come apart the proper way(as my doors on my car were). Definitly much easier if you can just unbolt it all as Darin said.