pulling out a bent SUV tailgate

[sigtauenus]

Before I start, let me admit that, yes, I am an idiot.

I had a vehicle on a parked trailer, and needed to move the trailer to unload it. Hooked up the SUV, and forgot to safety bolt the latch on the tongue. Moved the trailer, and unloaded the car. As soon as the car came off the back of the trailer, the tongue lifted up and ate the tailgate on the SUV.

DOH!!!

So now I need to pull the dent out as best as I can, and I'll fill it with filler and paint it myself. The SUV is a 150,000 mile 98 and not worth paying somebody to fix it, but I don't like having a heinously dented vehicle either.

OK, so I pulled the interior panel off, but there is a inner structure to the tailgate that does allow full access to the dent.

I bought one of those kits that you weld on a stud and use a slide hammer, but I've been hesitant to grind the tailgate to bare metal to weld the studs on, because once I do, I need a few days good weather to go at it until I'm ready for paint.

I've considered taking it to a shop just to have them pull the dent out, or one of those guys who does the scratchless dent repair from the back side.

I've tried putting a metal rod in through the bracing and beating it with a hammer, but that tailgate is some pretty thick sheetmetal and doesn't give easily. Either that or I'm just not hitting it hard enough.

What is my best way to pull the dent out?

[Bob K]

I don’t know what kind of SUV you have or where you are but I looked up the rear gate for a 98 Chevy S10 Blazer and found them priced down to $100 at car-part.com. You may find one in your area the right color and just bolt it on. Does that sound like something you would be willing to do?

Bob K

[sigtauenus]

Heck yeah I would do that for $100. Problem is its a '98 Pathfinder, cheapest I've found a tailgate for is $650 and it was dented. Undented tailgates were running $950 and up, and as far as I know they are not available aftermarket.

I'll definitely look into car-part.com. Thanks!!

[sigtauenus]

Hmm, wow, $600, undamaged, correct color, in Portland. I'm in Virginia Beach. Dang. I'd almost go for that, but I have to paint the passenger rear quarter anyhow. Cheapest was $300, not too bad.

After I posted the question I read through some other threads and see the stud welder method is often recommended. I already have the stud welder so I figure I will probably go that route, fill it and paint it.