Aftermarket rear bumper - Keystone?

[mrsilv04]

The Silverado is scheduled to go into the body shop on Monday morning, they expect to have it for 2 weeks.

The insurance company wrote up the repairs right at $6,000, and there may be more damage once they get it torn down, we'll see. The insurance adjuster actually wrote the estimate HIGHER than what the body shop wrote... the insurance company allowed 6 more hours of labor.

The insurance company will be providing me with a pickup truck to drive as well, while my pickup is in the body shop.

They were also really good on the use of OEM parts. The only thing that they went cheap on is the rear bumper, and they want to use one from "Keystone" and save $50 over OEM.

I think it is laughable that they want to use something like an aftermarket rear bumper to save $50 on a $6,000 repair.

However, I will keep an open mind here. Is an aftermarket bumper from a manufacturer like Keystone OK, or should I lean on the shop to get an OEM bumper made by Flex-N-Gate?

The Keystone bumper is $263, an OEM bumper is $309.

Anyone with experience with Keystone?

 

[tomcat27]

They do have their own website. Keystone offers a lifetime warranty - does the body shop and your insurance company offer the same lifetime warranty on the repair? they should!

 

[GMBoy]

I used to be an insurance claims adjuster (only stayes 2 years, I left due to shadey practices I disagreed with!) and we used Keystone a lot and I never heard of any problems. The fit and finish seemed pretty good too. Not sure about long time wear or how the chrome will stand up. If you are worried, $50 isn't much to toss in to get an OEM.

 

[Johnny248]

we use Keystone bumpers all day long. They are about the same as any other aftermarket bumper (different boxes) but Keystone does offer a good warranty. I doubt you will see any problems with them.

 

[JimPghPA]

BTW how are YOU doing?

 

[greenaccord02]

I'd be completely comfortable with it. If they're doing it for a $50 difference on such a large bill it's likely not as a means of cutting costs. It's probably because that's the body shop man's preference in bumpers. It may be an easier or a better fit or it might even be better quality.

 

[mrsilv04]

Jim - Doing fine, actually better than I expected at this point.

In regards to the bumper, I'm going to email my contact at the body shop, and ask him what the shop usually uses. If they've had problems with the fit and finish of Keystone parts in the past, then I would think they've found some other supplier that they prefer using.

I'm debating not having the "Chevrolet" emblem reinstalled on my tailgate (they didn't use it on the '05 and '06 models). The cost of that emblem is right at $50.

Maybe we can make a deal where they'll "credit" me the value of the emblem, and use that credit to pay of the difference on an OEM bumper.

And yes, the body shop offers a warranty on their repairs as long as I own the truck.

 

[benjamming]

mrsilv04,

I like your idea of skipping the emblem & using an OEM bumper.

 

[greenaccord02]

+1 That's smart.

 

[kkreit01]

Naw -- USE the emblem. Be proud.