Chris Hamilton September 15, 2020 OBS Builders Guide
Add modern performance to a pickup that was designed for utility. With QA1’s bolt-on front and rear systems, not only can you lower your C1500, but you’ll also have ride height adjustability on all four corners, giving you that perfect, level stance. The front systems offer up to 5-inch of drop with drop spindles, and control arms provide more room for wider wheels and tires. The rear system offers up to 7 inches of drop, and the torque arm design reduces binding found in other four-link systems.
MSRP:
Front: $2,298.66 Rear: $2,482.87
QA1
952-985-5675
www.qa1.net
Bolt-on coilover suspension systems dramatically improve handling and ride quality when lowering a truck to the 4/6 level or lower. The wishbone multi-link rear suspension, heavy-duty C-notches, tubular A-arms, drop spindles, HQ adjustable coilovers, Musclebar front sway bar, Delrin bushings and R-joints all work together to create the best ride imaginable. And best yet, this kit is also available in an air-ride configuration.
MSRP: $5,900
Ridetech
812-482-2932
www.ridetech.com
This deluxe lowering kit for ’88-’91 Chevy/GMC C1500 includes light duty spindles. Easy to install in your driveway!
MSRP: $668.88
Western Chassis
866-288-5467
westernchassisinc.com
Lower your sport truck or SUV right the first time. Belltech’s complete lowering kits include all the parts and pieces you need to achieve not only the look you want, but the alignment, performance and safety you need.
MSRP: $957.91
Belltech
800-445-3767
www.belltech.com
This aluminum 2.5-inch drop spindle for GMT400 GM C/K 1500 2WD truck and SUV models features an OEM style GMT800 sealed hub conversion in dual 5×5, 5×4.75 or OEM 6×5.5 lug patterns. The Modular Truck spindles are also ABS-ready for ’95-’98 factory equipped trucks. The anodized finish will keep these beauties looking and performing great over the long haul.
CB Chassis Products
559-275-2901
ww.cbcpro.com
Aldan C1500 suspension packages are designed to convert your stock, front suspension to fully ride-height adjustable coilovers with adjustable shock absorbers in the rear. They’re designed for the GMT400 and C1500 2WD truck chassis.
MSRP: $915.95
Aldan American
310-834-7478
www.aldanamerican.com
This Air Suspension System is specifically designed for the ’88-’98 Chevrolet and GMC C1500 truck and includes everything needed to create modern drivability with an ultra-low show stance. The package contains front upper and lower control arms, front CoolRide with HQ Series shocks, front sway bar, drop spindles, rear wishbone with C-notches and Shockwaves.
MSRP: $5,900
Ridetech
812-482-2932
ridetech.com
OBS Chevy Racing billet control arms are made out of T-6 6061 billet aluminum and designed to have the utmost in adjustability, strength, ease of use and cool style. Imagine being able to change your alignment in a few minutes depending on the activity. Simply jack up the truck a little to relieve pressure, loosen the top rod end bolts, change out your desired spacer, and you’re ready to go. These arms are great for autocross, road course racing and lowered trucks wanting to get that perfect alignment with style. Correct ball joint angle for lowered trucks, solid billet construction, solid connection through high-end rod ends.
MSRP: $799
OBS Chevy Racing
866-922-3533
obschevyracing.com
Looking to lay out your ’88-’98 full size truck on some 24s? Then you’ll be needing these! Includes one pair of upper and lower control arms, built-in lower bag brackets, built-in lower shock brackets and ball joints.
MSRP: $830
CB Chassis Products
559-275-2901
cbcpro.com
These 3-inch drop springs from CPP are available for a simple factory swap. Pair it with the company’s rear flip kit and shackles for a full 4/6 drop.
Classic Performance Products
714-522-2000
classicperform.com
The combination of Calmax arms and coils springs up front net you out 4 inches of drop without wheel clearance or alignment issues. and we put this together with our DJM 6-inch axle flip kit.
MSRP: $746.62
DJM Suspension
310-538-1583
djmsuspension.com
StreetGRIP is a high-performance 4/6 drop lowering suspension system for ’88-’98 C1500 pickups. Like all StreetGRIP systems, Ridetech focuses on the areas of the OE suspension that need improvement rather than upgrading everything. In the case of ’88-’98 C1500s, that means keeping the factory control arms and leaf springs.
MSRP: $1,800
Ridetech
812-482-2932
ridetech.com
Looking to bag your OBS for an affordable price? AVS makes it easy with this complete all-in-one kit.
MSRP: $2,950
AVS on the Web
559-486-5444
avsontheweb.com
Kit Includes:
MaxTrac Suspension K330546 has an all-in-one solution for your 2WD ’88-’98 Chevy Silverado 1500. MaxTrac drop kits use 2-inch front spindles, 2-inch lowering springs as well as MaxTrac shocks for the front. The rear lowering uses a 6-inch rear flip kit with shock extenders, a rear C-frame support and MaxTrac shocks.
MSRP: $875.38
This complete air-ride chassis for “Old Body Style” single cab 2WD GM pickups is engineered to provide the best ride quality and performance for a full-sized ‘bagged truck. Designed from the ground up with all new suspension geometry and modern drivetrain adaptability, this system also allows for large diameter wheels and most aftermarket engine accessories without worrying about any weird fitment surprises.
GSI Machine & Fabrication
480-940-1806
www.gsimfab.com
In this kit, the control arms are narrowed 1-inch on each side for proper alignment; the ball joints are pushed forward ⅞-inch to re-center wheel; bushings are polyurethane, utilizing Moog ball joints; and sway bar heim attachments are included, along with Aldan American Direct bolt-in coils with your choice of spring rate.
MSRP: $1,750
Elevated Concepts
www.elevatedconceptsinc.com
This tightly engineered 6-inch suspension lift kit is designed around two heavy duty upper A-arms, one-piece ¼-inch laser cut high clearance crossmembers and replacement steering knuckles. This combination offers zero track width change, unlike many knuckle kits on the market. Clears a 35×12.5-inch with 20×9 wheels and 5 ¼-inch backspacing.
MSRP: $2,173.59
BDS Suspension
517-279-2135
bds-suspension.com
This complete rear system incorporates both of the bolt-on four-link and cantilever kits together. Fabricated with the quality you’ve come to expect from KP Components, it is able to lay out most 24-inch wheel and tire combinations and offers you about 12 inches of travel right out of the box
MSRP: $1,699
KP Components
888-388-0299
www.kpcomponents.com
MaxTrac offers a 3-inch lifting front coil spring to easily raise your 2WD Chevy Silverado 1500 from the factory stance. MaxTrac also offers a 4-inch lifting block kit for your 2WD ’88-’98 Chevy Silverado 1500. An alternative is the company’s 2-inch rear lifting shackles. Not only are these easier to install than blocks, but they can be combined with a rear block to get additional lift or be used to simply fine tune the ride height of the rear.
MaxTrac
866-409-8673
maxtracstore.com
This rear-only suspension kit from React converts the factory suspension in your 88-98 Chevy truck to a parallel 4-link setup with a panhard bar, c-notch, u-bolts and a rear frame crossmember. This kit is adjustable down to a 7-inch drop in the rear. All made in the USA, so you know it’s solid quality.
Features:
QA1 Rod Ends for Panhard Bar
Satin Black Powdercoated
Run up to 10-inch wide wheels
MSRP: $2,200
React Suspension
480-420-8175
reactsuspension.com
Classic Parts of America price: $199.95
LMC Truck price: $119.95 – $179.95
TMI now offers high-value interior automotive components including complete seats with brackets, interior center consoles, carpet kits, all new door panels, even a new headliner. Currently in production for ’88-’94 Chevy C1500 standard cab trucks.
TMI Products
951-272-1996
www.tmiproducts.com
Classic Parts of America price: $244.95
Classic Parts of America price: $299.95
Classic Parts of America price: $399.95
Classic Parts of America price: $94.95
Classic Parts of America price: $24.95
Classic Dash price: $129
Dakota Digital price: $795
Corbeau Racing price: $349
TMI Products
888-460-0640
www.tmiproducts.com
BluePrint Engines offers a direct replacement 383ci Stroker crate engine for ’88-’98 Chevy trucks. This is a small block GM style, fully dressed long block with carburetor. Aluminum heads and a roller cam are preinstalled and drop-in ready.
MSRP: $5,399
BluePrint Engines
800-483-4263
blueprintengines.com
Borgeson steering shaft for full size Chevy and GMC trucks connects to the factory column and OEM steering box. It includes a complete rag joint and billet steel universal joint and weights 5.3 pounds.
MSRP: $248
Borgeson Universal Company
860-482-8283
www.borgeson.com
This brake kit will work with any HD brake spindle, such as McGaughy’s, Street Edge, Belltech and even stock. You will receive a template and instructions for modifying your spindle, which requires cutting of the caliper ears and drilling and tapping for the caliper mounting bracket.
MSRP: $1,095
Pro Performance
480-420-8175
azproperformance.com
Pro Performance offers this new brake kit for ’88-’98 Chevy trucks with factory rear ends and does not require machining to the axle or rotors. It uses new calipers, not rebuilt ones. It features laser-cut zinc plated caliper brackets and is designed to fit most 18-inch wheels and larger.
MSRP: $875
Pro Performance
480-420-8175
azproperformance.com
These kits are designed to provide a 30-50% increase in fuel economy, a low RPM cruising for greatly reduced driver fatigue, an improved highway driving experience and reduced engine wear leading to longer engine life with cooler engine operating temperatures.
American Powertrain
931-646-4836
americanpowertrain.com
This 14-inch C1500 kit utilizes Wilwood 6-piston FNSL calipers, aluminum hubs, hats and machined 6061 AL brackets that bolt directly to the factory spindles or drop spindles without drilling. Designed to fit ’88-’00 full-size 2WD GM trucks and SUVs.
MSRP: $2,424
Little Shop Mfg.
www.littleshopmfg.com
Works with both ½- and ¾-ton models. Includes motor mounts, frame brackets, transmission crossmember, transmission mount and hardware.
MSRP: $479
This 4WD mount kit locates the engine at the factory bell housing location so you can use your original transmission, transfer case and crossmember.
MSRP: $299
These kits come standard or machined for the oil bypass valve to use with displacement on demand or variable valve timing. They include a new full-length windage tray, pickup tube, hardware, gasket, dipstick and a pickup tube girdle.
MSRP: $249
These headers feature 3/8-inch laser cut flanges with the tubes welded inside and out and then machined. They include gaskets, bolts, reducers and O2 sensor bungs. Standard ceramic finish is polished silver; contact the company for bare steel and black ceramic coated pricing.
MSRP: $249
These radiators feature all-aluminum construction, stamped tanks with strengthening indentations, and a double pass design that put the inlet and outlet on the same side. The all-important steam port bung is welded into the upper part of the tank, which lets your new LS engine vent properly. They also include a sensor port that can be used for a coolant temp fan switch.
MSRP: Starting at $619
BRP HotRods
770-751-0687
www.brphotrods.com
BRP HotRods offers stand-alone harnesses as well as harness and re-flashed computer packages.
BRP HotRods
770-751-0687
www.brphotrods.com
Available for ’91-’07 Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra, Suburban and Tahoe, these true plug-and-play custom built harnesses are designed specifically for your project utilizing a ’94-’97 LT1/4 or ’97-up LSx or Vortec small block.
MSRP: $975
Current Performance Wiring
727-844-7570
www.currentperformance.com
Auto Metal Direct offers hoods for ’88-’98 Chevy GMC C/K pickup, ’92-’94 Blazer and Jimmy, ’95-’99 Tahoe and Yukon along with ’92-’99 Suburban. They’re all stamped from heavy gauge steel with factory style underside.
MSRP: $279
Auto Metal Direct
833-404-4777
www.autometaldirect.com
This six-piece door window channel beltline kit includes the beltline moldings and glass run channels for each front door of the vehicle.
MSRP: $250.99
Steele Rubber Products
800-447-0849
www.steelerubber.com
NPD reproduction tailgates offer a ready-to-paint finish at an affordable price.
National Parts Depot price: $89.95
National Parts Depot
800-874-7595
www.npdlink.com
Lose the bumper and gain the sporty look we all love. AVS on the Web offers roll pans for OBS trucks with and without a tag box.
AVS on the Web price: $190
AVS on the Web
559-486-5444
www.avsontheweb.com
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