Repair to Body & Back Tail Light

Last weekend, up in the Sierra foothills, I hit a tree at the back driver's side tail light while doing a routine backing up. D'oh! Just the tail light and body around it were damaged (see picture). The bumper was not hit. At first, I wasn't able to open the tailgate, but after wedging a prybar in there, and then pounding at the metal here and there with a small sledge and ball peen hammer, I was able to get the tailgate to open and close reasonably well. So, I can live with it for now. I'd like to make an attempt at getting it more or less back in shape again, but I've never really done any body work before (done lots of engine work, though, and have a garage full of tools) or even know that much about the process. I'm not expecting flawless results by any means, but would like, as a minimum to get the tail light replaced and re-form the body so the tail light can sit nicely in place without the big gaps around it. I'll probably end up just spray painting the damage with a can of spray paint. This truck is my workhorse, not a showpiece.

Is it too much to expect a beginner like me to tackle this? If any of you have experienced damage in this area and have repaired it, I would appreciate your insight, tips and tricks. If you think I shouldn't even try to tackle it, how much do you think it would cost to have a body shop do the work? Thanks in advance for all your advice. I appreciate it.

 

If you want it done well... seek professional repair.

But IMO I think you could learn a little
and attempt to straighten that out somewhat, yourself.

You'll likely need a dent puller(slide hammer)/drill a few holes for using that
then attempt to hammer it out closer using hammer/dolly.
It'll likely require some bondo application to finalize yer efforts.

Are you willing to invest in the necessary body repair tools/materials
that you will need to make the attempt ?

Harbor Freight comes to mind if yer hope is to spend less.

Been awhile since I removed my tail lights
but thought there was some space behind that area
once the tail light is removed.

Only way yer gonna learn how is by making attempt.
And if by chance you don't do well...
You'll have more appreciation for those whom can.

Plenty of "How 2's"/"DIY" on line and youtube.
Review some of those and make yer own call then.

If I didn't really care about a perfect result...
I'd give it a shot if it were mine.

Worse case scenario... if you make it worse
eventually you'll wish to replace the whole bed panel.


Besides... if ya already backed into a tree once
It's likely it will happen again !? Lol

 

Myself I would cut that back corner of the bed out and weld a new piece in

Some finish body work and paint

new light your good to go

 

This is what I would do, the metal in that area is gonna be hard to pull out.

 

Take it to a body shop if your anal about appearance, there is no way in hell your gonna make that look pre hit condition with a large amount of experience in body repair and paint.

Also please understand that anywork you do to it may infact make the job harder/more time consuming for a trained body man to take care of, like grining out old material, filling in drilled holes, and shrinking over stretched metal.

Best solution fiberglass bedsides

It may seem like tou cant make it worse but in actuality you can.

 

Over the course of a year, I smashed both tail lights. Once in the driveway, once off road. I'll do a lot of work myself, but I went to a local shop both times that did an excellent job and worked with me on the cost. and There was some insurance money, so that helped. They straightened out the panels and un-jammed the tailgate. They also touched up some other areas since they had some extra paint mixed. I was happy to give the work to a local with a good reputation.

 

I've done alot of welding to my junk...
but stitch welding that pot metal called sheet metal
is not one of my favorite things to do.

Have I ? sure

My radiator support was cracking
and I had to weld that for repair.
(both lower and upper, supporting the body)

Tho' sheet metal welding can work as a last resort.
I wouldn't do it with any long term repair in mind.
Especially if ya live in the rust belt.

Changing the molecular structure of that pot metal when welding
and the exposed interior weld(s) will allow rust to take hold more easily
and eventually fatigue will set in and surely become it's premature death.

If ya live in the SW where I do...
crappy pot metal stitch welds rust slower.
But even here... it will eventually happen.

I've owned/wheeled my junk since it was new (16 years)
and plan on it holding together until my demise.

If you've a mind to try...
be sure you clean up and seal those stitch welds good.
Both inside and out.

 

Did it kink on the inside of the bed rail too? That might be a little fun to straighten that part but you can try to pull out the outer part and body work it. They sell affordable stud gun and slide hammers on Amazon you can use to pull out the damage