[qqzj]

As we can see, there is a big dent on my trunk lid. I am thinking about how to correct this issue. I am not sure about the cheapest and best way to go is to:

1. Replace it with a trunk from a junkyard
2. Find somebody who can do paintless dent removal.

Given the cost of labor and size of the dent, my guess is that 1 is the better. (When the accident happened several years ago, the insurance company told me that there is no way to salvage the trunk lid. It has to be replaced. Is it true?) So the next question is whether I should get a wing-ed or non-wing-ed trunk lid? I have always like the trunk lid with a wing. But those wings have a 3rd brake light on them and I have already got a 3rd brake light in my cabin. So would having two 3rd brake lights be considered bad taste? I have located one parts car with a wing-ed lid and one without. So really appreciate some advice here. Thanks!

 

[mcgowaw]

while i don't really see a need for a wing at anything less than autobahn speeds, if it's a dealer/factory option anyway, i don't see what'd it hurt. wiring the brake light will take a bit of work and be sure to seal the hole surfaces against rust.
tony

 

[Kingdom934]

Doesn't hurt to get the OEM spoiler w/ the 3rd brake lamp. I'd do it.

Not sure if it applies to the Gen4, but on the Gen4 w/ the spoiler, there might be a plastic panel you can put in your car as a 'cover' for the place where the 3rd brake lamp suppose to be. That way you only run just the one on the spoiler. Check the donar car

If you can spot a trunk lid in the same color for around $100 might be worth it. IMO to fix that kind of dent due to the area it is in, it is going to be very labor intensive to pull (drill) that dent, bondo, and paint. Easier to just get a trunk lid. Whenever possible when dents are that big and behind a structure piece (i.e. roof pillars, around edge quarter panels, etc), easier just to swap entire panels where can. Even if PDR was an option, it would be at lease a hundred or two for it.

 

[qqzj]

Thanks. That is a good idea. I forgot about the plastic insert. I shall take a look for sure.

The wing (=spoiler) might be totally useless, I just thought it looks good and adds a little bit of uniqueness. Anyway. The trunk lid in our area cost between 150-250. I am surprised it only costs $100 or less where you are.

Doesn't hurt to get the OEM spoiler w/ the 3rd brake lamp. I'd do it.

Not sure if it applies to the Gen4, but on the Gen4 w/ the spoiler, there might be a plastic panel you can put in your car as a 'cover' for the place where the 3rd brake lamp suppose to be. That way you only run just the one on the spoiler. Check the donar car

If you can spot a trunk lid in the same color for around $100 might be worth it. IMO to fix that kind of dent due to the area it is in, it is going to be very labor intensive to pull (drill) that dent, bondo, and paint. Easier to just get a trunk lid. Whenever possible when dents are that big and behind a structure piece (i.e. roof pillars, around edge quarter panels, etc), easier just to swap entire panels where can. Even if PDR was an option, it would be at lease a hundred or two for it.

 

[Kingdom934]

Thanks. That is a good idea. I forgot about the plastic insert. I shall take a look for sure.

The wing (=spoiler) might be totally useless, I just thought it looks good and adds a little bit of uniqueness. Anyway. The trunk lid in our area cost between 150-250. I am surprised it only costs $100 or less where you are.

I've seen trunk lids for about $100 on craiglist. Not sure how much the junkyard I go to sells it, but I overheard the junk yard owner/attendant told someone that a back hatch door for their SUV was $75

 

[mcgowaw]

I'll bet kingdom has pictures posted somewhere of this procedure too, cause this guy takes apart just about anything and everything on his car at some point...
tony

 

[Kingdom934]

I'll bet kingdom has pictures posted somewhere of this procedure too, cause this guy takes apart just about anything and everything on his car at some point...
tony

Haha not yet. I can't find a trunk lid with the spoiler tail light in my color. The Anniversary Edition came with a spoiler, but it's rare.

 

[qqzj]

I'll bet kingdom has pictures posted somewhere of this procedure too, cause this guy takes apart just about anything and everything on his car at some point...
tony

It is actually very useful if there exists a DIY for trunk lid replacement. I saw many old cars moving around with dented trunk lids. It should not be very difficult, but it would improve my efficiency at junkyard by 10 times.

 

[Kingdom934]

It is actually very useful if there exists a DIY for trunk lid replacement. I saw many old cars moving around with dented trunk lids. It should not be very difficult, but it would improve my efficiency at junkyard by 10 times.

I've removed the trunk lid before IIRC. It's a straight forward process. The time that takes the most is removing the wire harness for the tail light and trunk cable. Other then that, should just be the bolts holding the lid to the hinge.

 

[qqzj]

I've removed the trunk lid before IIRC. It's a straight forward process. The time that takes the most is removing the wire harness for the tail light and trunk cable. Other then that, should just be the bolts holding the lid to the hinge.

How long it is going to take an average guy to remove the old one and install the new one? Do the junkyards sell the trunk lid only? or do they include the cables and wires inside and the tails lights? And can I just leave my old dented trunk lid there?

 

[Kingdom934]

How long it is going to take an average guy to remove the old one and install the new one? Do the junkyards sell the trunk lid only? or do they include the cables and wires inside and the tails lights? And can I just leave my old dented trunk lid there?

Depends on your junkyard. I know the one here doesn't take back cores AFAIK (never heard of them doing so). Again, depending on your place they might charge more if your taking a complete set. For me here, I've taken a radio amp w/ or w/o the pig tails, cost would be the same. This goes for a cluster w/ pig tails. Although I am not sure if a door/hatch w/ entire trim might cost more, but AFAIK for my junkyard, I think it's flat rate because I never hear the yard owner say two prices for a panel w/ trim. I'd assume it would be more as a complete trunk panel since the two parts that make the money is the tail light assembly and the trunk lid. Wire harness might be a little more. The rest of it (i.e. trim, eblem , inner cover) probably worth near nothing but should ask if they can go cheaper without X part on it after getting a quote.

If you have a basic set of tools and time, it shouldn't take longer than an hour or so. Most of your time would probably be removing the trim and wire harness off your old trunk lid. Would help w/ a helper due to the size. Your best bet is to either go craiglist for the part or go to the junkyard to practice removing it without worry about damaging the car so much.

 

[ajkalian]

While you're at it consider spiffing things up a bit more to go along with your new spoiler.

.