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="" />