Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Building the Goodguys OBS Giveaway ’88 Chevy Truck – Part 2

Are you getting stoked about the ’90s-style Chevy OBS giveaway truck that Roadster Shop is building for the 2022/2023 Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway vehicle? We are! This short-bed ’88 Chevy Silverado is going to be one cool custom combining throwback flair and some of the best contemporary components available!

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

At the tail end of our kickoff article, we showed you a few photos of the weathered but straight and complete ’88 Chevy single cab short bed pickup that will become the 2022/2023 Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway truck. The Roadster Shop body shop wasted little time making minor body repairs, scuffing down the surface, block sanding, and getting the body ready for surfacer and primer.


In the Part 1 kickoff article, we gave you an in-depth look at the cornerstone of this build: Roadster Shop’s all-new OBS Low-Pro chassis for 1988-98 Chevy and GMC pickups. This innovative chassis does much more than provide an extra-low ride height. It incorporates a performance-engineered front suspension with C7 Corvette spindles and rack-and-pinion steering, an independent rear suspension with trailing arms and cantilever shocks that do not require the bed floor to be raised, plus integral brackets and accommodations for all your air suspension components. The chassis is a game-changer that is chock full of clever engineering and sturdy parts from front to rear.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

It’s always nicer to start the mock-up process with a clean, straight body. Getting the body into a single color of white primer gave the RS team that proverbial “clean slate” on which to start building.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

With a new Chevrolet Performance E-Rod LS3 engine from Gandrud Chevrolet slated for the engine bay, Roadster Shop wanted to make sure things looked good under the hood. Cleaning and smoothing the firewall was at the top of the agenda. Scanning the existing firewall allowed the team to digitally design a new smooth panel that was cut from fresh sheet metal and initially clamped into place.

The new chassis is just the start of a first-rate ingredients list that will include a Chevrolet Performance E-Rod LS3 engine from Gandrud Chevrolet, a Bowler Transmissions 4L60E, Ultimate Headers, Vintage Air, Kicker audio gear, and more. We will showcase more of those elements in coming installments, but in this issue we want to highlight some of the fantastic sheet metal fabrication work the Roadster Shop team is doing to make this truck so much cooler than stock.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

One minor mod that many OBS owners will notice is the welded and filled seams on the upper rear corners of the cab.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Portions of the old firewall were then cut out in preparation for welding in the new panel. The new piece was also trimmed as needed to better fit the space. Note also the opening cut where the wiper motor mounts and connects to the linkage assembly.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

This slick wiper motor cover was also fabricated to help clean up the firewall. It screws into place for easy removal if the motor ever needs service. You can also see the new Wilwood master cylinder mounted in this photo.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Similar sheet metal skill was applied to a new filler panel for the radiator core support to help clean up the front of the engine compartment.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Another nicely fabricated piece was this bracket used for mounting the transmission and oil coolers in front of the radiator. It’s simple, functional, and clean – which is sure to be a common theme throughout this build.


Want to see more of this OBS truck build? Check out the links below to see the 2022/2023 Goodguys Grand Prize Giveaway ’88 Chevy build from start to finish!

 

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5


Some of these mods – like the custom front inner fenders and custom rear wheel tubs – serve practical purposes like providing clearance for the 24-inch Billet Specialties wheels. Other custom touches – like the smooth firewall – are more cosmetic and might go almost undetected once the truck is assembled and on the road.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

One other need in the engine compartment is clearance for the big 24-inch Billet Specialties wheels. To help accommodate this, the inner structure of the front fenders was first modified by building a recessed pocket.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Next, this pile of flat sheet metal pieces was assembled into a wider, smooth inner fender assembly. This was tack welded together as it was fine-tuned and fitted to the fender. The same process was followed on the other side.

Roadster Shop OBS Truck, roadster shop low pro chassis, goodguys obs, goodguys silverado

Once proper shape and fit were achieved, the pieces were TIG welded together. Here’s what the passenger-side inner fender looked like after final welding. This is going to be one smooth engine bay!

We’re taking a closer look at the engine compartment modifications here, but trust us, great fabrication and details like these are going to be found throughout this truck. Stay tuned over the next few issues as we bring you more build details, and start making plans to be at the 24th Summit Racing Nationals presented by PPG in Columbus, Ohio July 8-10, so you can see this ’90s retro hauler in person as it’s unveiled!

Photos courtesy Roadster Shop

Editor, Goodguys Gazette

Damon Lee began snapping photos at car shows when he was 10, tagging along with his father to events throughout the Midwest. He has combined his passion for cars and knack for writing and imagery into a 20-year career in the automotive aftermarket, writing for titles like Super Chevy and Rod & Custom and, more recently, working for respected industry leaders Speedway Motors and Goodguys Rod & Custom Association.