Guide to Parts for GM OBS Trucks – Part 2: Interior, Driveline and Body
GM’s OBS Trucks, those made from ’88 – ’98, are so popular these days that we had to break our Guide to New Parts for OBS Trucks into two parts. Part 1 consists of suspension components, complete chassis, brake upgrades and steering while Part 2 is full of interior accessories, driveline and body components. In short, the following for GM OBS Trucks has never been stronger.
Not only are the pickup trucks popular, but the extended family of Blazers, Tahoes, crew cabs, and Suburbans are all getting modified, built, and cruised. Who would have thought this truck series would ever be hot rodded? But here we are, thankfully, gathering a gallery of cool new parts that continue to drop from innovative companies that continue to develop products for the growing performance aftermarket – take a look and if you’re in the market for chassis and suspension parts, click back to Part 1 after you’re done here!
Dakota Digital
Direct-Fit High Tech Gauges
When OBS trucks were introduced in 1988, the instrument cluster didn’t receive rave reviews, but Dakota Digital can help bring your dash to life with their HDX Series of direct-fit gauge packages for OBS Chevy Trucks. These high-tech gauges feature stunning full-color TFT message centers, deliver crystal-clear readouts, and are packed with enhanced features.
Choose between sleek black or silver alloy gauge faces and customize your dashboard with independent illumination colors for the gauges, needles, and message centers. The assembly features black nickel-plated spun-aluminum needle hubs, dead-faced indicators for turn signals, high beam, check engine, cruise control, parking brake, and more. Calibration is a breeze with capacitive-touch buttons or through Dakota’s Bluetooth app for Apple and Android devices.
Vintage Air
Gen 5 for OBS
Vintage Air’s most powerful and efficient HVAC system, their Gen 5 Super Magnum Max module, is now available for ’88–’94 GM pickups. The Super Magnum Max is their latest evolution of evaporators and features an industry-first OEM-quality injection-molded case, effective blend air doors, along with block-type expansion valves. The OBS kits also include a direct-fit control panel that mimics the factory appearance and features LED lighting.
As with Vintage Air’s complete line of SureFit kits, this new system is designed to fit in the OEM mounting location with minimal modifications and is available as a Complete Kit which also includes the compressor, condenser, and lines, or as an Evaporator Kit which includes all interior components.
TMI Products
Serious Upholstery Upgrades
Vehicles of the late-’80s and early-’90s are not known for how well the interior plastics and materials have held up. Ten years ago, finding interior parts was tough, but today TMI Products has you covered with everything you need to replace and update your truck’s interior.
For the ’88–’94 models, TMI offers complete kits featuring bucket seats or a fresh new bench, along with molded door panels, headliners, modern formed carpet, a dash pad, and even a center console. They also have complete kits for the ’95-’96 models and the ’97–’98 models, both featuring TMI’s unique door panels and dash covers. Be sure to try out the company’s new online configurator.
Bedwood and Parts
A Retro Bed Touch
Do you miss the classic look of a wooden floor truck bed? If so, check out the RetroLiner from Bedwood and Parts. The RetroLiner was designed to fit directly into an OBS bed with no drilling or cutting and installs easily with an Allen wrench.
The RetroLiner is an application-specific real wood bed liner system that easily installs thanks to an advanced mounting system allowing the wood floor to float above the factory metal floor. The panels are all laser measured and CNC milled to match the contours of the OBS truck bed for a perfect fit. Bedwood offers a variety of domestic and exotic hardwoods which come pre-sealed for long lasting protection, and the company supplies everything needed to complete the installation.
Speedway Motors
Fresh Fuel Tanks
Any vehicle reaching over 30 years old would likely benefit from a new fuel tank. Rust and corrosion are the likely culprits but when you decide to add engine upgrades or a new power plant, starting with a fresh tank will deliver peace of mind.
Enter Speedway Motors and their all-new stamped fuel tanks made of galvanized steel, 360-degree welded, and powder coated for a great-looking and long-lasting finish. Speedway’s OBS tanks are designed to fit like an OEM tank and are individually air pressure tested before leaving the factory. The tanks hold up to 34 gallons and have internal baffling to support in-tank fuel pumps for EFI.
Summit Racing Equipment
LS Swap Headers
So, you have that new-to-you LS engine bolted in the frame rails of your OBS and now you’re finding out that there’s a lot of other parts you’re going to need to finish the job right. One component that comes up immediately is a set of headers that fits the Old Body Style correctly. Hello, Summit Racing!
Summit Racing offers LS conversion headers for OBS trucks that provide more clearance than factory manifolds, making your LS swap fit nicer with more clearance. Made from 304 stainless steel, the headers feature mandrel-bent 1-5/8-inch primary tubes for excellent flow and are TIG-welded for durability. The headers are equipped with V-band style collectors, and Summit supplies durable graphite gaskets, fasteners, and collector stubs.
Classic Instruments
Stock Appearance with Modern Tech
Don’t let the stock styling of Classic Instruments’ new direct-fit gauge cluster for ’88–’94 OBS trucks or SUVs fool you, as it’s packed with advanced technology, including the company’s Zeus Speedometer that works with an ECM or VSS signal. The cluster features a tach, fuel, oil, temp, and volt gauges along with a digital odometer, trip meter, and optional digital speed readout.
Hybrid LED lighting provides the feel of the original perimeter lighting with the visual benefits of backlighting for even illumination and clear nighttime readability. There are the requisite indicators for turn signals, high beam, and check engine, plus an integrated LED dimmer. The fuel gauge is programmable for different fuel sending units and Classic Instruments supplies all the other sending units needed.
Flaming River
Form, Fit, Function and a Key
If your steering column feels a bit worn and wonky with turn signal that won’t cancel, do yourself a favor and head over to Flaming River. They now offer a new column with tilt and an ignition key in the factory location – no welded-on attachments or extra relays are required.
The Flaming River column fits ’88–’93 Chevy and GMC models and is supplied with a GM-coded ignition key assembly, wiring, and ignition switch. In addition, the column features an integrated turn signal arm with wiper control and cruise control, offering modern convenience in a classic design. There is also an innovative low beam/high beam microswitch, while the tilt design and compact shroud provides a comfortable driving experience.
American Powertrain
Stick with a Stick
The fine art of down shifting, matching rpm, and speed shifting is becoming a lost skill. American Powertrain is making it easy to “save the stick” and enjoy more of a personal mechanical attachment to your OBS truck with their ProFit line of five- and six-speed conversions.
The ProFit kits are available with a Tremec TKX five-speed or a Magnum six-speed transmission complemented with all the parts needed to successfully complete the swap. No tunnel mods are required and both kits can be used with the stock crossmember. A stock hydraulic clutch cylinder will work, or you can use one of American’s Hydramax Hydraulic clutch slaves and their new bolt-in clutch pedal assembly.
Spare Time Fab
Billet Air Flow
With so many plastic parts used on the interior of OBS trucks, there has got to be a better replacement for things like the dash vents, door sill plates, dash controls, and trim panels. The answer for these and more come from Spare Time Fab in the form of CNC-machined billet pieces.
Spare Time Fab has OBS interiors covered with high-quality billet components to give your interior a more personal touch. Their one-piece billet A/C vents are subtle updates that are easy to install, fit just right, and will never crack or break like the factory plastics. The trick vents are available for ’88–’94 and ’95–’98 models in raw or polished finishes.
Old Air Products
Hurricane Season
Planning to hit the road in your OBS and rack up the miles rolling to events and cruises? To keep you and your passengers comfy through heat and cold, a new HVAC system is a wise investment and the experts at Old Air Products can get you dialed in with their Hurricane package.
Old Air’s Hurricane sysem is available for ’88-’94 OBS trucks that were originally equipped with A/C. The Hurricane unit mounts to the firewall with custom mounting plates and is supplied with a new electronic slide control panel to fit into the factory dash opening. A condenser assembly is supplied along with a receiver/drier, mounting brackets, wiring, duct hose, adapters, and more to finish the installation.
All American Billet
Open and Close with Style
Factory hood hinges were developed to function and be cheap to manufacture. When it’s time for some details and custom work under your OBS’s hood, All American Billet has a lot of options, including their billet aluminum hood hinges.
AAB’s Billet Hinges are machined from 6061-T6 aluminum, creating a strong foundation that may outlast your truck. Sturdy stainless steel gas struts are supplied and are complemented with large bearings for consistent opening and closing action. All American Billet supplies stainless steel hardware, and the hinges are available in machined, polished, or black anodized finishes. Available for ’88–‘98 trucks and ’92–’99 SUVs.
LMC Truck
Split Back Bench
Like every part of your OBS truck or SUV, everything on it is well over 30 years-old in terms of use as well as style. In the case of seats, that also means outdated comfort. Rather than just re-wrapping the worn seat, why not upgrade to something comfy with modern style such as LMC Truck’s custom split back bench.
LMC’s new seat measures 60-inches across and is based on an all-steel, TIG-welded frame that is electrostatically coated for durability. The seat itself is crafted from high-density foam that’s ergonomically formed for comfort and support, and then covered in premium-grade black vinyl (with black or red stitching). LMC even includes the seat slider tracks and reclining mechanisms!
LG Billet USA
Shift in Style
Column shifters get a bad rap, as many enthusiasts favor a floor-mount shifter. However, a column shifter keeps the floor and tunnel area tidy and allows your sweety to slide a little closer on those long drives. But a column shift lever leaves a lot to be desired in the cool appearance factor.
LG Billet USA, out of Chandler, Arizona, is here to fix that with their Billet Shift Lever. The arm is shaved down from a chunk of 6061-T6 aluminum and features a stainless steel key for durability. The lever provides improved style and is engineered for a simple factory fitment. Their Billet Shift Arm for ’88–’94 and ’95–’98 models is available in a machined finish or black anodized.
