In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Chevy OBS trucks were known for their ranging customization and classic boxy shape. The sports equipment package featured a black grille, body-colored front, rear bumpers, and decals.
Since the 1970s, we've seen quite a few classic SUVs, and trucks on the road. Improvements with them bring us to today, where we have some pretty impressive
and utility vehicles as far as performance and aesthetics go.
However, it was from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, pickups that drew many truck enthusiasts looking for that ultimate gem of an OBS truck. What exactly is an OBS pickup and what are some classic examples of it?
What are Chevy OBS trucks?
The trucks we see today have a pretty unique design, depending on the manufacturer who built them. Back in the late 80s and into the 90s, the 'GMC and Chevy truck's exteriors were more cost-efficient and simple, making them easy to modify with aftermarket parts, according to
The term OBS stands for old body style, or as some refer to it, original body style. This simply means the body's exterior and interior before any changes or modifications were made to it.
For GMC and Chevy, they sold their trucks with either two-wheel drive (noted as C within the model name) or a four-wheel drivetrain (noted with a K in the name). Each pickup came with a Fleetside single cab, Fleetside extended cab, Crew, or Stepside single cab.
There were also three trim levels as well. You could get a Scottsdale, Silverado, or the Cheyenne.
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When it comes to GMC trucks in the OBS period, you not only had several options of body styles to choose from, you also had packages to customize them.
One common addition to an owner's purchase was the sports equipment package. This got you a black grille, body-colored front, and rear bumpers, a red-outlined brand logo, as well as decals with the term 'sport' adorning the tailgate and on the box of a Fleetside 1500.
In 1988, a work truck body style was introduced that offered black bumpers on a single cab, the long-bed body style of the Cheyenne trim. It also had its unique grille.
For the Fleetside C/K 1500, there were three options for engines at one time. You could get a 4.3-liter V6, 5.0-liter V8, or 5.7-liter V8. The 5.7 could produce 185 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque, according to the
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Two of the most common SUVs that saw modifications were the Tahoe and the Suburban. Chevy's Tahoe appeared in 1995 after they stopped producing the K5 Blazer in 1994. The most appealing part of the new SUV was the four-door style they introduced along with it.
However, it still came with a two-door design. Both styles came with either a four-wheel drivetrain or rear-wheel drive. Powering it up was Chevy's 5.7 small-block V8 engine.
The Suburban appeared for the 1992 model year, which came with either a 1/2 ton or 3/4 ton version. The 1995 model could handle a 0 to 60 run in 9.3 seconds, which doesn't quite compete with the SUVs today.
Its top speed of the day was 98 mph and it got 13 mpg. The style of the body has always allowed it to provide a ton of storage space, which many drivers like.
Coverage for your pickup is just as important
A pickup with customization needs the right kind of insurance at an affordable price to keep it protected. Searching for a policy that will cover exactly what you need isn't always easy.
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