Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Fenders

• The fender is a panel that covers and houses the wheel.
• It protects the wheel and metal components from debris and direct exposure to elements.
• Fenders are usually made of steel or plastic.
• These can be classified into two according to its location: front quarter panels and rear fender panels.
• Chevy Silverado 1500 fenders cost anywhere between $470 - $1,700
• Replacing damaged fenders help you avoid corrosion and tire damage, prevent further expenses from rusted metal parts, and preserves the resale value of your vehicle.

Bearing pure American engineering and design, the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 has had numerous accolades throughout the years. In fact, J.D. Powers named it as the most dependable heavy-duty pickup truck three years ago, while Kelly Blue Book recognized it as the full-size truck with the best resale value in 2018. All these credits point directly to Chevrolet’s continuous development and enhancements.

The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 sports muscular contours that are part of its aggressive fascia. The headlights, grille, and bumper worked great in making the truck look menacing but let’s not forget about the panel that houses and protects its set of huge wheels—the fender.

The fender, also known as quarter panel, is the panel found on the four corners of a vehicle. In a truck, the rear fenders span the length of the bed, protecting the wheel from harmful debris. In addition, it also keeps metal components from water and direct exposure to sunlight. Earlier cars are equipped with steel fenders, while modern cars feature non-ferrous materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, or aluminum.

Your Chevrolet Silverado 1500, as well as any vehicle, has four fenders surrounding the frame. These areas are categorized as the front and rear quarter—each has a driver and passenger side.

Front quarter panels are made up of the front driver and front passenger fenders. Aside from protecting the wheels, these panels also house the outer end of the headlights. It spans from the headlight to the tip of the A-pillar and front door.

Rear fender panels, or bedside panels for pickup trucks, are the largest side panels on the Chevrolet Silverado 1500. It spans from the cab all the way to the corner of the tailgate, basically a third of the truck’s entire side profile.

If you’re in the market for OE replacement fenders, you’re most likely to end up choosing between steel and plastic. Although there are other materials used for fenders, these two are the most common.

Steel fenders are the most durable and damage-proof of the two. Its rigidity made it the choice for off-road drivers, as it can protect the wheels from large rocks and tree trunks better than plastic fenders. However, steel in itself is heavy and it could slightly affect the power-to-weight ratio.

Plastic fenders can withstand chemical attacks, meaning oxidation wouldn’t be a problem. Steel rusts while plastic remains smooth unless scratched or hit by sharp and heavy objects. Although plastic isn’t as strong as steel, it is substantially lighter. In addition, dents on plastic surfaces can easily be fixed.

Before you make any purchase, you need to be certain about which location the damaged fender belongs to—this applies to any part you wish to replace. The four corners of your truck are the front driver, front passenger, rear driver, and rear passenger. If you’re facing the front end of your truck, the driver side will be to your right, and the passenger side is the one to your left (reverse this if you’re sitting inside the cabin).

Apart from location, you may also specify the quantity, as OE replacement fenders are sold individually, as kits, or in sets. Kits include complementing parts like headlights, while sets comprise of pairs.

Since there are three generations of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, there are at least three designs of fender panels; one for each. You also need to note that there are facelifts in between generations which might contribute to more designs.

To find the right OE replacement fender, use the filter tab in the website’s search field and indicate the year, make, and model of your truck. But typically, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 fenders cost anywhere between $470 and $1,700.

Being involved in a fender-bender is the perfect reason to replace a fender. Damaged fenders pose huge risks to both the wheel and metal components connecting it to the axle shaft. If the damage involves an opening such as a crack, water or other elements can enter and introduce corrosion to metal parts. If the rust worsens over time, the parts that are affected may eventually fail, causing you more money and problems.

Another reason to replace a damaged fender is to preserve your truck’s perceived resale value. Cracked, rusted, or beaten fenders spoil your car’s appeal—not to mention that it also indicates possible damages behind the panel. This is not good if you’re planning to sell your truck to upgrade to a newer-generation model so make sure to address a beaten fender as soon as possible.