[TheWhiteElephant]

I would definitely repair that. The estimate you posted is not unreasonable. I'm from south Texas and here's how body shops work when they figure an estimate to pull/align your frame: They will charge a set-up and measure time (generally 1.5-2.5 hrs here in south Texas). This charge is to hook it up to the frame machine and take measurements and compare to factory specs. Then they'll charge a pull/align charge where they'll actually pull and align frame to get it back to specs.

Down here in deep south Texas frame rates are a very reasonable $45/hr, I believe in the Humble area they are a bit more (but not much more) expensive. The area of damage on your frame is a common area that bends on frontal impacts on these Chevys. Judging just by the photo you posted, it will take at least a couple of hours to get it right.

I certainly wouldn't swap frames at this point. I'd get it repaired because yes, you will definitely have wheel alignment/body alignment issues. Get it done right. Any shop with a decent frame machine/measuring system can do this. You may want to shop around for body shops, and I'd lean towards a good independent shop as opposed to a dealer's body shop. Independents may charge less. You can also request a printout of the before and after frame readouts. In fact, you may want to ask for a current frame readout to see just how bad it is.

The shop can definitely commit to an exact price on frame repairs because the readout will tell them/you where exactly the frame is bent and exactly how far it is bent. They can tell you how much labor is needed to straighten it. Sure, the unexpected may pop up, but that would be on a very rare occasion.

M