Innehållsförteckning för OBS Builders Guide 2023 från Street Trucks

THIS month’s cover boldly proclaims “Work Truck Overhaul.” The price of OBS trucks has already skyrocketed. While doing our daily check of the usual internet sale sites, we came across a truck that was priced so low that we had to take a look. The ad read, “Good clean truck, clean title, message me, would be willing to trade if it’s not a 4x4, and it’s been driven 550,000 miles.” Yes, 550,000 miles! One owner, original paint, all for the low low price of $1,500! A quick run to Kingman, Arizona, ensued. The truck has the original 6 cylinder, and it had four transmissions and who knows how many sets of brakes and tires. It was used for deliveries all around Southern California before landing in Arizona. Sold! Why not?…

We began our search for a shop vehicle and happened to come across this blue ’94 Silverado with an LS swap that popped up on marketplace in Ohio. Because it was only about an hour and a half drive, we decided to make the trip. The truck was pretty solid, and the owner was a rac-ing enthusiast who had taken good care of this OBS. After a quick tune-up and some extra cleaning, the truck was ready to become our new shop truck. We are all about cool gauges, so we had to decide what series of gauge would help define our interior. The original gauges looked dated, and we needed to make sure our LS engine was properly monitored. New Vintage CFR Series blue gauges were chosen, and we…

The ’90s were packed with billet aluminum parts for the OBS pickups, almost to the point of overload. Billet aluminum parts are aftermarket components made from solid blocks of aluminum using a CNC machine. These parts are designed to replace or enhance the original components in an OBS truck. Billet aluminum is a high-quality material that offers excellent durability, corrosion resistance, and weight-reduction benefits. Randy, owner of Spare Time Fab near Myerstown, Pennsylvania, has re-created the most popular OBS parts, including dash vents, console fillers, seat risers, seatbelt covers, HVAC covers, shifters, coat hooks, A/C vents, turn signal lever covers, coolant tanks, seat levers, and grab handles. Spare Time Fab’s quality parts will enhance the look of your OBS interior with solid billet bling. Let’s upgrade the Belltech tribute truck…

Door pins are essential components in a truck’s door hinges that allow for smooth opening and closing. Over time, wear and tear can cause the bushings to wear out and the pins to become loose. This leads to sagging doors, which on a typical OBS also results in broken interior and exterior door handles. LMC Truck supplied a set of new pins and bushings. Let’s get the Billet Beater’s door back into like-new condition. SOURCES LMC TRUCK 800-562-8782 www.lmctruck.com…

One great thing about the custom truck scene is the culmination of stories of everyone involved in it. Every journey and path is different, with some being more relatable than others—especially to those who have experienced humble beginnings along with the inevitable bumps in the road. While interviewing James Smith of Milledgeville, Georgia, about his story of how he ended up here, the memories he shared sounded all too familiar. …I finally felt the time was right to pick up where I left off in my goal of having a full custom truck. “I remember going to the bookstore with my grandma during the summer of ’85 when I was only 14 years old,” he recalls. “I was drawn to magazines, but there was one in particular that was very…

Belltech Suspension, a leading manufacturer of high-performance suspension systems, is proud to celebrate its 40th anniversary in the automotive industry. Since it was established in 1983, Belltech has been at the forefront of developing cutting-edge suspension solutions, revolutionizing the driving experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike. Over the past four decades, Belltech has continually pushed the boundaries of suspension technology, delivering unparalleled performance and quality to automotive enthusiasts worldwide. The company is committed to innovation, precision engineering, and superior craftsmanship. It has earned a reputation as a trusted brand within the automotive industry. Belltech’s success can also be attributed to its dedication to customer satisfaction. The company places great emphasis on providing exceptional service, technical support, and expert advice to its customers. This customer-centered approach has fostered long-term relationships and…

WITH the scarcity of affordable C10 trucks out there, the interest in finding other vintage GM truck models has risen. Luckily for all builders, the aftermarket industry has steadily caught up with the ’88-’98 OBS craze across all platforms. We are now seeing an increasing variety of available parts, which now includes a handful of great full-chassis systems for these models. While there are plenty of à la carte suspension products available for ’88-’98 trucks, the fabricators that are offering full custom chassis systems have jam-packed these frames with everything today’s builders are looking to include in their pickup projects. For those who are looking to build a slammed, ‘bagged cruiser or piece together a performance pickup with a coilover-powered race-ready suspension, there are now plenty of chassis options to…

It is supremely cool to see a custom truck built today that could be dropped nearly 30 years in the past and blend right in with the style of that time period. The best part of seeing the GM OBS platform gain popularity again is the many examples of “classic” trucks being built with elevated throwback swagger like this ’96 GMC Sierra. Jarod Swantkoski of Brighton, Colorado, has owned and operated Motorsport Concepts in Denver for over 20 years. He has personally witnessed the first wave of the ’88-’98 sport truck craze that has finally come full circle in today’s current truck scene. Motorsport Concepts specializes in collision repair, but Jarod and his crew also have a large custom clientele that keeps them just as busy. As a general rule…

LS Fabrication’s “Gate Saver” or Tailgate Assist Shock/Strut for ’88-’98 GMC Chevy Trucks, adds a little bit of modern luxury to your classic truck. The Gate Saver slows the tailgate opening action, allowing your tailgate to open freely after unlatching. You can now have a tailgate that opens, closes, and latches like a brand new Chevy pickup. SOURCES LS FABRICATION 780-678-9469 lsfab.com…

First impressions are everything, especially in the truck and custom paint world. Nothing stands out more on a truck than a clean paintjob with custom graphics. The first thing you notice on any truck is how it looks—paint, stance, and wheels and tires all play a key role in your truck’s appearance. For those of you just joining in, we started this project in the OBS Builders Guide, Vol. 3. A “what if” phone call to legendary automotive designer Steve Stanford resulted in Brik Yrd, a 1999 Suburban with a few twists and turns on the theme of the original 1993 Indy 500 pace truck. As always, Steve nailed it perfectly, and we were off to the races. In the last issue, we backdated the grille to 1993, added a…

Things that are truly considered “cool” have a life cycle. It’s true in fashion, it’s true in home décor and furnishing, and it’s especially true in the world of custom trucks. What was once thought of as old hat and unhip is now back to being trendy again. Of course, we’re talking about OBS pickups and their height of popularity back in the late ’80s and all throughout the ’90s. These were the new trucks on the block back then, and the youthful fan base surrounding the pickups were enthusiastic about personalizing every aspect of them from top to bottom. It was a fairly plain 305 truck, so we quickly disassembled it and added all the Belltech goodies to lower it in a hurry… BUILDING A BUSINESS David Bacher of…

Adefinitive list of iconic trucks considered legendary titans in our industry exists—and this flamed-out Chevy is one of them. Built way back in 1999 to be a rolling truck-shaped menu of its latest wares, Billet Specialties’ 1997 Chevy pickup defined what an ideal sport truck looked like. It sat low but had a noticeable rear rake. It had a staggered set of billet wheels with wide rear meats. It featured expertly executed body mods and paint that met the same standards that seasoned hot-rod builders aspired for. This Chevy was the perfect example of what truck fans of the day wanted for their ride. But once the style moved into different directions (as it does), it was displayed less and less until it was covered and packed away in a…

There is nothing more frustrating than a broken door handle! The inside door handle on a OBS is a frequently used component that wears out and breaks over time. Worn out door pins and bushings can also lead to premature inner handles breaking. The outer door handle can show signs of wear and tear, too. As it is crucial for accessing the vehicle, a faulty outer door handle can be quite inconvenient. Our shop dually has a broken driver-side handle. It still functions, but it is really annoying. LMC truck supplied a new handle complete with clips. So let’s go through the process of replacing the inner and outer door handles on your OBS. There is a trick to getting this done easily without disconnecting all the inner panel wiring…

Acoilover conversion offers numerous benefits for an OBS pickup, providing enhanced adjustability, improved handling and stability, and customization potential. By replacing the stock suspension components with coilover, truck enthusiasts can achieve a more dynamic driving experience tailored to their preferences. Reduced body roll, improved cornering stability, and improved overall handling performance provide a more controlled and confident driving experience. We are continuing to upgrade our shop project, the 1988 shortbed, the “Billet Beater.” We are leaving the exterior in its original paint but improving the suspension, drivetrain, and interior. It’s a perfect platform for an Aldan American coilover conversion kit. Established in 1981, Aldan American’s products are designed, tested, and made in the USA. The Road Comp Series is designed for a OEM-like fitment that offers greater tune-ability and up…