Can't find body shop to give an estimate on an XJ

[old_man]

My 1985 XJ was rear ended. It is a nice rust free vehicle with a new paint job. No shop in Loveland will even write an estimate for replacing/painting the hatch and replacing a couple of tail lights. They simply say they do not work on vehicles that old.

Has anybody run into this problem?

 

[Kittrell]

Just tell them it's a '96, literally no difference. I would never have thought a body shop would turn down work due to the age of the vehicle assuming it was still in the modern era.

 

[RNMedic]

your or the other driver's insurance company got any suggestions?

 

[Strokermjcomanche]

It's all because the insurance jobs are the money makers and the 85 XJ won't net them much money . There should be some shop around there that would do it , but I'm not from your area ....

If it was a new JK the body shops would be fighting for the job ...

 

[old_man]

I actually will probably end up doing the work myself. I just need an estimate.

I am waiting for the insurance company to send out an adjuster but we had a HUGE hail event and you can't even fine a rental car within 75 miles.

 

[old_man]

Adjuster quoted $2545. I bought a used hatch in good shape for $140 plus two new taillights shipped for $52. I still have the paint and supplies. All I need to do is prep and paint the hatch, then mount it. I need to tweak the bumper back into place. With the tools I have, that should take less than an hour and it will be as good as new.