Had my Indy painted blitz black about five years ago as the blue paint had mostly peeled off of the cab top and hood ($900). I could not afford a restoration paint job plus it is forced to sit in the mile-high Colorado sun.


About a year later, a vertical dent appeared in the tailgate. I am almost 100% sure that I did not back into something nor do I believe that someone ran into it as there are no scratches. Earlier this year, another, almost identical dent appeared a few inches to the right. A guy told me that Chrysler products had an issues with tailgates if they would be closed/opened harshly. He pointed out the dent on his old Cherokee.
Has anyone else had this issue? I purchased it back in '99 and dents never appeared before it was painted.

 

First I have heard of this issue.....

 

I've never heard of it and I've had numerous Dodge pickups. At least 4 of the second gen trucks. That dent looks about the size and placement of a shopping cart being rammed into the metal.

 

Also never heard nor seen of that as an issue.
2nd Gen tailgates are pretty robust, so I don’t see slamming them shut would cause that.

 

Never heard of it before... the tailgate on my 96 took boatloads of abuse from hauling lumber, sand, gravel, etc., and it took it like a champ.

 

Riiiiight . . . . . probably the same guy who dented it.

 

I'm still trying to get over why you would paint and Indy ram any color other than blue/white? I understand the paint is more expensive than black but still. And why does the second pic look like it's painted white(reflection of the snow)? What that is is a difference in the paint or most likely the prep that was done(or lack of) before applying it. And what's with the road runner decal at the bottom?

 

I do not remember ever slamming the tailgate shut or letting it drop. I guess that it is possible that a cart could have been pushed into it but the truck has rarely seen a shopping center parking lot. I did an online search and did not find the issue. Before I discounted the defective tailgate theory, I thought I would come to this forum. Thanks for letting me know that it is just a fluke..or two flukes/acci"dents".

I had a hard time getting good photos. The second one does look quite white but it could be the exposure or a reflection. I should have waited for a nicer day and a cleaner truck.

It looked terrible for many years with a lot of primer showing. I had estimates ranging from $4000-$7000 for light body work and a repaint. I could not justify that much money on a truck that someone had recently offered me $3000 for (he wanted to use it as a work truck!). When they eventually begin to appreciate, then it could easily be brought back to original condition.

I purchased it at a dealership south of San Antonio at closing time on December 31, 1999 and have no intention to ever sell it as I believe the 2nd generation is the best modern pickup body style ever produced.

As for the decal, I have owned a '72 RR for forty years (which has been parked for 33 and needs a complete restoration) along with a '69 hardtop and a convertible back in the eighties. Thought it might be fun to add the decals.

 

I do not see many Dodge trucks at the car shows but here are a couple of my favorites...

 

I like them!