So I hit a tree yesterday, and damaged the tailgate beyond repair, shattering the glass in the process. It also put a nice bubble in the d pillar. I was told it will be around 3-4k to pull out the d pillar and I'll get a junkyard tailgate for $50. Does this seem like a fair price? Or is it even worth fixing?

 

Uh 3-4K? I don't think so. You could go buy a new jeep at that price. Got a better pic of the pillar damage?

 

You totaled your XJ. You can get a pretty nice example for the money it would cost to fix it. Use it for parts and cut your losses.

 

Here's a few more. And the XJ was worth $5k when we got it.

 

You could slide hammer out that D pillar......

 

Slide hammer?

 

Yeah I wouldn't bother getting that fixed professionally. Slide hammer would pull it out a bit. That and a new hatch will get you in good shape.

 

I've had no luck at the local junkyards for a "new" hatch. What is slide hammer? Pardon my ignorance.

 

Spot weld studs to the affected area, and use a slide hammer attached to the studs to pull the dent out.


$3-4K just to fix the dent in the pillar is way to high, though that is what it would likely cost for a shop to fix everything including the tailgate and paint, like everyone else said at that point it is basically totaled, but you should be able to fix it yourself with junkyard parts for a few hundred dollars (with the replacement tail gate being the largest expense), or find a shop that will fix the pillar for a reasonable price (shouldn't be more than $500-$1k for that, try to find an independent non-dealer shop) and do the rest yourself

 

I dont see anything wrong with it, the duct tape fixed it right up!!

 

Google, my friend..

You can keep trying yards, or try to find somebody parting one out on Craigslist.

 

I've tried. Morris 4x4 only has the old body style, and I'm not big on ordering from eBay. Ive found a few on Craigslist that I'm considering, but the junkyard is charging $50 for an entire tailgate.

 

I would absolutely not order a tailgate. I can only imagine how expensive that would be. I would jump right on the $50 jy one, even if that means being patient and searching around for a color match one if you don't want to paint it.

 

The d pillar is fixable if you pull and beat it back in to shape.The hatch a junkyard is the best option vs aftermarket parts that don't fit like oem stuff does.

 

I agree. I'd rather get one from the junkyard, color isn't a concern, but there's only 2-3 97-01 xjs in the local junkyards and non have useable tailgates.