The other night when I was driving home from work a bull elk jumped in front of my 2004 chevy. I was going about 50 mph when I saw him and slammed on the brakes. I think that I was going between thirty and forty mph when I hit him. The elk smashed my grill, hood and bumper. Luckily he did not fly up and go through the windshield. I do not want to have to turn this accident into my insurance because I want to protect my driving record. I would like to save some money by replacing some of the parts my self. Does any one know of a good source for new O.E.M. parts that cost less then what the dealer charges?

Here are the parts that I am looking for.

1) Front grill

2) Passenger side, head light assembly

3) Passenger side, turn single assembly

4) Passenger side and driver side headlight-mounting assembly

5) The plastic cover that is under the hood. (It has the sticker on it that shows how the belt is installed)

Also on the passenger side the headlights were pushed back and they dented the AC line that is behind them. It is only a small dent and no fluid or gas leaked out. Do you guys think that I should have that part replaced?

Since I have to replace my bumper, I would like to replace it with one of the large steel ones that have the grill guards welded onto them. I am looking at the ones that Ranch Had makes. Is anyone familiar with there products?

Thanks,

Mgood

Mgood try this site http://www.perfectautoparts.com/

I do not want to have to turn this accident into my insurance because I want to protect my driving record.
You might want to check your policy... with most insurers, collisions with "birds or animals" are considered "non chargeable" accidents meaning that they won't raise your rates because of such a claim.

"Comprehensive" would be the right terminology, and like what Eric said, it's a non fault accident that does not increase your policy rates, but you may or may not have to pay the deductible for repair, all depending on your policty/provider.

Someone on this site turned me on to http://www.gmpartsdirect.com long ago.

They have some crazy a_s shipping fees, and take forever to ship, but they still will probably save you money over going to your local stealer, and have just about every GM part number in existence.

btw: how's the elk? ;)

My brother just went thru the same thing ...but he hit bambi compared to an Elk (3-point (each side) deer). He suffered the same type of damage as you ... grill, bumper, front valance, front DS fender, running boards and DS door as the deer went up under and got caught up in fender wheel and came up on the DS caving in the running board and DS door. His truck is currently in the shop being repaired ...think the insurance estimate was around $5K. They have to replace the door and learned replacement doors have are bolt-on vice glue on like the doors from the factory. I guess there are bolt holes under the OEM glued mounts specifically for this scenario.

I founf that out on my 2000 as well when I found a 2 foot stump in 3 foot grass, the doors are bolt on when replaced. Soon after being replaced I had to put new pins in the hinges because they wore out. I think maybe it wasn't hung straight or something. Might be something to watch. I don't know if they wore out again after that because I traded soon after that.

I found that out on my 2000 as well when I found a 2 foot stump in 3 foot grass, the doors are bolt on when replaced. Soon after being replaced I had to put new pins in the hinges because they wore out. I think maybe it wasn't hung straight or something. Might be something to watch. I don't know if they wore out again after that because I traded soon after that.