Upper Hatch Damage - Need Advice/Guidance

[tarheel40]

Had a very unfortunate end to a great beach week with my family and damaged my upper cargo hatch. Had the cargo area loaded up with chairs, surfboards, etc to take a few miles down the road back to our condo and left the hatch up as a few things where hanging out. Plenty of space above the hatch while loading the cruiser but in a complete moment of mental lapse/distraction by my kids/etc I forgot there was a single low beam under the house and I caught it with my open hatch while backing out.

Was only going a few mph when I hit but it was enough to damage the lower lip of the hatch and bend it around the hinge area. I can still close it but it doesn’t line up properly when closed. No broken glass thankfully and damage isolated to just the hatch.

My question is what is the best course of action here? Can a competent body shop straighten this back out and get me squared away? Is this enough distortion I need to be looking for a replacement rear hatch (the ones I’ve found thru some quick searching look worse than mine)? Should I contact one do the cruiser body gurus on this forum and see if it’s worth shipping the tailgate to them for repair?

I’ve got some experience with body shops repairing newer cars but nothing with 40 year old Land Cruisers. Any advice appreciated. Pics below. Thanks!!

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

You'll be way ahead to find a nice donor and have it repainted instead of trying to repair that one. Upper hinge inner structure is damaged as well.

 

[tarheel40]

You'll be way ahead to find a nice donor and have it repainted instead of trying to repair that one. Upper hinge inner structure is damaged as well.

That’s unfortunately what I was expecting to hear. Rear glass is original, know the rear chrome trim is no longer available new, just not sure how hard it would be to transfer assuming the donor doesn’t have glass. There’s a lot of good in the hatch still but I realize the damage around the hinges is a problem. Any chance you have a donor or an idea of where to look/who to contact?

 

[TRAIL TAILOR]

That’s unfortunately what I was expecting to hear. Rear glass is original, know the rear chrome trim is no longer available new, just not sure how hard it would be to transfer assuming the donor doesn’t have glass. There’s a lot of good in the hatch still but I realize the damage around the hinges is a problem. Any chance you have a donor or an idea of where to look/who to contact?

Jonas @jkdur728
Paul @3_puppies
Jason @arcteryx

All three are worth giving a shout out to for quality donors.

Jason

 

[3_puppies]

I've got 2 in OK shape, shipping cross country is the issues with shipping prices as they are currently

@jkdur728 is alot closer, possibly drive and get 1

 

[tarheel40]

Jonas @jkdur728
Paul @3_puppies
Jason @arcteryx

All three are worth giving a shout out to for quality donors.

Jason

Thanks Jason, I really appreciate the info and guidance! Will reach out to these guys, fingers crossed.

 

[arcteryx]

Thanks. I have numerous and do ship. Email if interested.