There’s just something about a lowered Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra that looks right. Maybe it’s the aggressive stance, the clean body lines, or the idea of taking a truck originally designed to haul lumber and turning it into something that can embarrass a few sports cars. Whatever the reason, GM’s 1999–2006 New Body Style (NBS) pickups are becoming increasingly popular with performance enthusiasts. And with world-class LS power under the hood, there’s certainly no shortage of performance potential.
That said, throwing more power into the mix can create a whole roster of fresh problems. For starters, these trucks were never engineered to handle high horsepower. On top of that, their usually well-worn suspensions are rapidly aging into vintage tech. Fortunately, the folks at QA1 have developed an impressive lineup of bolt-on suspension upgrades specifically designed for some of the General’s best analog trucks.
Street Champion: The Level 1 Lowering Kit
For enthusiasts simply looking to improve their truck’s stance, QA1 offers its Level 1 Lowering Kit. The package combines adjustable front coil-overs with rear shackles and hangers, and optional front spindles to provide up to five inches of front drop and six inches of rear drop. Better yet, the entire setup bolts into place without cutting or welding, making it an attractive option for a street-driven truck that still needs to handle everyday chores. But what if you’re interested in more than just looking good parked at the local cruise-in?
Performance And Looks: The Level 1 Complete Suspension Kit
That’s where QA1’s Level 1 Complete Suspension Kit comes into play. In addition to lowering the truck up to five inches in the front and four inches in the rear, this package incorporates tubular front control arms, single-adjustable shocks, and a substantial 1.5-inch front sway bar. The Complete Suspension Kit substantially improves suspension geometry, reduces body roll, and generally gives the NBS platform a more responsive feel behind the wheel. Better yet, like the Level 1 Lowering Kit, it is a true bolt-in system that requires no cutting, welding, or permanent alterations to the truck’s chassis.
Level 2: Where Things Really Get Interesting
For enthusiasts who want to take their Silverado or Sierra considerably further, QA1 offers its Level 2 Complete Suspension Kit. Up front, double-adjustable coil-overs provide 18 clicks of compression and rebound adjustment, allowing owners to fine-tune the suspension for their particular combination. Tubular control arms and upgraded sway bars, measuring 1.5 inches up front and 1.2 inches in the rear, help keep the truck composed when the road gets twisty. However, the biggest improvement happens under the bed.
Rather than continuing to rely on GM’s factory leaf springs, QA1 replaces the rear suspension with a multi-link torque-arm system featuring a Panhard bar. The new arrangement provides improved axle control, traction, and handling, making it especially appealing for trucks packing considerably more horsepower than Chevrolet or GMC ever intended. The best part? Despite the substantial changes, QA1 engineered the system to bolt into place without removing the truck’s bed or fuel tank. Depending on the configuration, the Level 2 package also allows up to five inches of front drop and seven inches in the rear.
One Piece At A Time
Naturally, not everybody needs to replace an entire suspension in one shot. QA1 also offers individual components, including tubular control arms, coil-overs, sway bars, drop spindles, and rear suspension upgrades. That means owners can improve their trucks a little at a time or go all-in with a complete package.
Whether you’re building a clean street cruiser, a boosted LS-powered bruiser, or a corner-carving pickup that has no business handling as well as it does, QA1 has some interesting solutions for the NBS platform. After all, what’s better than a truck that can haul loads during the week and haul something entirely different on the weekend?
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