Choosing the best obs chevy lowering kit can completely alter how your truck sits and feels on the road, turning a stock workhorse straight into something that in fact turns heads. In case you own an 88-98 Chevy or GENERAL MOTORS CO C/K truck, you're sitting on what many people call an "OBS" or Aged Body Style. These types of trucks have a cult following for any reason—they look fantastic whenever they're sitting just a little little bit nearer to the sidewalk. But before you move out and buy the first set associated with springs you observe, there are a few things you really need to believe about so that you don't end up along with a 52 pick up that rides like a brick.
Selecting your drop height
The particular first thing you've got to determine out is exactly how low you actually need to go. In the world of an obs chevy lowering kit , you'll usually see quantities like 2/4, 4/6, or even 5/7. For individuals who aren't familiar with the vocabulary, those numbers stand for how many inches you're dropping front side and the rear.
A 2/4 drop is definitely pretty mild. It levels the truck out and will get rid of that will "stinkbug" look where the rear rests way greater than the particular front. It's ideal if you nevertheless want to use your truck for hauling things or if you live someplace with massive speed bumps. On the particular other hand, the 4/6 drop is how things start obtaining serious. This is usually the "sweet spot" for most lovers. It tucks the particular tires nicely beneath the fenders and gives the truck that will aggressive stance without having which makes it impossible to drive daily. When you go any kind of lower than that will, you're looking at some serious body modifications.
Front end basics: Spindles compared to. Springs
Whenever you start searching at an obs chevy lowering kit for the front side end, you usually have two primary choices: drop spindles or lowering suspension springs.
Fall spindles are usually considered the "gold standard. " The reason is pretty simple—they lower the particular truck by relocating the wheel mounting point upward without having changing the suspension system geometry. This indicates your factory trip quality stays exactly the same. You get to keep the stock springs plus shocks, and the particular truck won't experience any stiffer than it did just before.
Lowering springs are the more budget-friendly option. They work simply by being shorter plus usually stiffer compared to factory coils. While they get the particular job done, they could make the ride a little harsher. If you're on the tight budget, they're fine, but in case you want that will smooth Cadillac feel in your Chevy truck, save your own pennies for that spindles. Some guys actually combine the two—using a 2-inch spindle and a 2-inch spring—to get the full 4-inch drop in the front.
Bringing the rear straight down to earth
The back of an OBS Chevy is really a different animal since it uses leaf springs. To lower the rear, most kits use a mixture of shackles, hangers, or perhaps a reverse kit.
If you're only looking for a 2-inch drop in the back, the set of fall shackles is all you need. They're cheap, easy in order to install, plus they essentially just change the mounting point associated with the leaf springtime. But if you would like to go 4 ins or more, you're should retain a flip kit.
A flip kit essentially moves the rear axle through underneath the leaf springs to along with them. This immediately drops the rear of the truck about 6 inches. This sounds scary to move your entire axle, but these kits are engineered to be bolt on and are very reliable. Just maintain in mind that when you flip the axle, you're getting very close in order to the frame.
Why you might need a C-notch
If you choose to go with a 6-inch rear drop as part of your obs chevy lowering kit , you're going to run into a clearance issue. Upon these trucks, the axle will sit very close in order to the frame railroad. Every time a person hit a bump, the axle can smack against the particular frame, which seems (and sounds) like the truck will be breaking in fifty percent.
To repair this, you'll need a C-notch. This requires cutting a semi-circle out of the frame above the axle and bolting or welding in a reinforcement dish. It gives the axle more area going upward. The lot of guys get nervous about cutting their body, but as longer as you utilize a quality kit and follow the instructions, it's a standard modification that won't compromise the truck's strength.
Don't ignore your shocks
One error a lot of people make whenever installing an obs chevy lowering kit is trying to keep their share shocks. It's an awful idea. Your factory shocks are designed to operate within a specific range. Whenever you reduce the truck, you're compressing those shocks way past their particular intended "home" position.
In the event that you keep the stock shocks upon a dropped pickup truck, they'll likely base out constantly and eventually blow out there. Most good lowering kits will possibly include "drop shocks" or recommend the specific item. These types of shocks have a smaller body and valving designed for the greater spring rates often found in lowering kits. It can make a world of difference in how the truck handles these pesky potholes.
Real-world driving plus alignment
Once you get your obs chevy lowering kit installed, you can't just pull it out associated with the garage plus go for a road trip. You should obtain a professional alignment. Changing the ride elevation messes with your own camber, caster, and toe. If you skip the position, you'll chew through a brand-new set of tires in a matter of days.
Furthermore, keep in mind that a lowered truck handles in different ways. You'll notice less body roll within the corners, which will be great, but you also have to be more mindful associated with steep driveways and high curbs. This becomes a bit of a life-style change. You'll find yourself scanning the street ahead for debris or dips like a fighter pilot.
Is it a DIY work?
If a person have a decent tools, a ground jack, and several durable jack stands, you can definitely install an obs chevy lowering kit in your entrance over the weekend. The front end is usually pretty straightforward—just be cautious with the coils springs, because they are under a large amount of tension. The rear flip kit takes a little more muscle because you need to move the axle, but it's nothing at all a couple of friends and a few pizzas can't handle.
However, when the concept of cutting your frame for the C-notch makes your stomach turn, there's no shame in taking it in order to a local suspension system shop. It's better to pay a professional than to mess up the structural integrity of the pickup truck.
Final thoughts on the OBS look
At the particular end of the day, an obs chevy lowering kit is one of the best bangs for your money if you desire to customize your truck. These Chevy trucks from your 90s have this kind of classic, clean design that will even a little drop makes them look modern once again.
Regardless of whether you're going intended for a subtle level-out or you need the frame laying on a lawn, just create sure you don't cut corners within the parts. Stick with reputable brands, get the right shock absorbers, and don't neglect that alignment. Your own truck will appear better, handle sharper, plus you'll end up searching back at it every time a person park in the lot. And really, isn't that exactly why we try this in the first place?