1999–2006 Chevy Silverado & GMC Sierra (NBS) Suspension Upgrade Guide

The 1999-2006 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups – known in the truck community as NBS, or “New Body Style” - built upon the foundation of the earlier GM OBS (Old Body Style) trucks, offering restyled body lines and features that modernized the design while retaining some of its squared-off heritage. Most notably, the Silverado featured “cat eye” headlights – angled and sloped lights that have often been the subject of debate among those who love the look and those who don’t.

Factory NBS Silverado/Sierra Suspension Setup

Like their predecessors, the NBS trucks in OE form sported an upper and lower A-arm front suspension with torsion bars and monotube or twin-tube shocks, with multi-leaf springs and a solid axle in the rear. While this package was more than adequate for every-day truck duties – towing and hauling, namely - it doesn’t exactly scream performance.

QA1 NBS Silverado & Sierra Suspension Solutions

QA1 engineered multiple complete suspension systems and lowering kits for 1999–2006 Silverado and Sierra trucks — available for short bed and long bed models. These kits deliver:

• Adjustable ride height

• Modern handling performance

• Improved ride comfort

• Simple, bolt-on installation

Whether you want a mild drop for daily driving or a full performance suspension system, QA1 has you covered.

QA1 Level 1 Lowering Kit – Adjustable Stance for Street Comfort

The Level 1 Lowering Suspension Kit for 1999–2006 Silverado and Sierra trucks offers an ideal blend of ride quality, stance, and adjustability for everyday use. Designed for the driver who wants an aggressive drop with modern comfort and handling, this kit delivers without requiring major chassis modifications.

At the front, QA1’s threaded-body coil-over shocks offer height adjustability without spacers or shims. Combined with optional drop spindles, you can achieve a total front drop range of 3" to 5", while the rear kit includes adjustable shackles and hangers to dial in a 2"–6" drop depending on your configuration. Whether you're going for a 2/3, 3/5, or 4/6 drop, this system has the range and flexibility to hit your mark.

The heavy-duty Pro Coil shocks are built to support the weight and payload of a full-size truck. Featuring polyurethane bushings and 1" chromoly T-bars, these shocks are engineered specifically for daily-driven pickups, avoiding the noise and wear of spherical bearings. The single adjustable Proma Star shocks allow quick rebound tuning with a simple twist of the dial — making it easy to soften the ride for a daily commute or firm it up for a backroad cruise.

The rear shackle and hanger system is constructed from thick-gauge, powder-coated steel and includes high-quality hardware to ensure long-term durability under any condition. Like the rest of the kit, it’s fully bolt-in and requires no cutting or welding.

Key Features

• Adjustable front & rear drop to dial in stance

• Maintains payload capacity

• Bolt-on installation with basic tools

• Eliminates factory lean

Best For: Drivers who want a customizable, lowered stance with a quiet, comfortable ride — without sacrificing performance or everyday practicality.

Now, let’s dive into the full-vehicle suspension systems engineered to turn your NBS pickup into a modern performance machine.

QA1 Level 1 Complete Suspension Kit: Street Handling Upgrade

The Level 1 Suspension Kit is designed for NBS truck owners who want to improve their vehicle’s handling and stance without major modifications. It’s ideal for daily-driven trucks and weekend cruisers that prioritize comfort and visual appeal, while still enjoying modern responsiveness and adjustability.

This kit uses QA1’s single adjustable coil-over shocks, allowing you to fine-tune rebound characteristics to suit your driving style. Up front, the tubular control arms improve geometry and are a true bolt-in system that retain the factory coil spring pockets and shock mounts, meaning no cutting, welding, or permanent changes to your chassis. This is perfect for those who want performance without compromising the value or originality of their truck. 

A beefy 1.5" diameter front sway bar helps flatten out corners and reduce body roll, giving you tighter handling without sacrificing ride comfort. This systems allows for 1-3” of drop standard and 3-5” with optional drop spindles on the front of your truck.

At the rear, this kit includes an adjustable rear drop kit that lowers your Silverado or Sierra between 3"–4" using QA1 single-adjustable shocks, shackles, and hangers. The design reuses factory components where it makes sense, helping simplify installation and minimizing cost while delivering the clean stance and smooth ride you want.

Key Features

• Achieve up to a 5-inch front drop (with drop spindles) and 3- to 4-inch rear drop
• Single adjustable shocks for 18 clicks of tunable compression and rebound
• Tubular front control arms to improve geometry and responsiveness

• True bolt-in installation 

Best For: Daily drivers and enthusiasts who want to improve ride quality and performance and customize stance without diving into extensive chassis modifications.

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QA1 Level 2 Complete Suspension Kit: For Maximum Performance and Control

The Level 2 Suspension Kit is built for the performance-minded NBS truck owner who’s after serious handling upgrades. 

This system takes things up a notch with QA1’s double adjustable coilover shocks, which allow you to independently dial-in both compression and rebound with 18 clicks of adjustment. This level of control is ideal for fine-tuning balance, handling response, and ride quality whether on backroads or pushing hard through corners.

QA1's lightweight tubular control arms, which feature built-in negative camber and spherical rod ends for precise alignment and increased suspension articulation. In the rear, a bolt-in torque arm and panhard bar setup continues to allow use of the factory fuel tank and installation without removing the bed.

This system includes 1.5” front and 1.2” rear sway bars with spherical end links that reduce bind and increase chassis response. The sway bars are lighter and stiffer than stock, improving turn-in and mid-corner control.

Taking your truck to the next level, this kit ditches those clunky factory leaf springs for a multi-link torque arm design to maximize traction and ride quality. The torque arm systems eliminates suspension bind, helps transfer weight more effectively, and gives you more control over your vehicle’s pinion angle. The end result is that your Silverado or Sierra will launch harder and corner more confidently.

Key Features

• Up to 5-inch front drop and 4- to 7-inch rear drop
• Double adjustable shocks for full rebound/compression tuning
• Tubular front control arms enhance geometry and ride feel

• Lightweight sway bars front and rear to give your truck a more planted and stable feel
• Multi-link torque arm rear suspension increases traction and eliminates bind

• Enhanced geometry improves braking and acceleration stability
• Bolt-in rear system with no bed or fuel tank removal

Best For: Performance enthusiasts who want maximum adjustability, better grip, and true modern-car handling characteristics in their NBS truck.

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What If I Want To Upgrade In Stages?

If you’re piecing together a suspension system or want to upgrade one area of your truck at a time, the components that comprise these kits can be purchased from QA1 al a carte to help you achieve your goals.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s available:

Front Suspension Kit: QA1’s front coil-over and control arm kit delivers 1"–3" of ride height adjustability (or 3"–5" with drop spindles), improved suspension geometry, and tunable ride quality—all in a bolt-on, made-in-the-USA package.

Rear Suspension Kit: QA1’s bolt-in rear torque arm suspension system for NBS 2WD trucks replaces stock leaf springs with a true multi-link setup, delivering better traction, improved ride quality, and full adjustability with double adjustable coil-overs—all without the need for cutting or welding.

Rear Drop Kit: QA1’s rear drop kit for 1999–2006 Silverado and Sierra 1500s is a bolt-in solution that lets you fine-tune your rear ride height by 2”–4” while maintaining smooth, controlled ride quality—perfect for matching your front stance without sacrificing comfort or performance.

Lower Control Arm Kit: QA1’s tubular lower control arms for 2WD 1500s are bolt-in upgrades designed specifically for coil-over setups, delivering improved geometry, added clearance, and enhanced handling for lowered or performance-oriented trucks.

Upper Control Arms Kit: QA1’s tubular upper control arms improve front suspension geometry, alignment, and strength — ideal for lowered or performance 2WD builds.

2” Drop Spindles: QA1’s 2" drop spindles for 2WD Silverado 1500s provide a clean, bolt-on front drop without compromising ride quality, geometry, or suspension travel — great for use with QA1 or factory control arms.

Front Sway Bar: Reduces chassis roll and front-end dive during cornering, delivering flatter, more predictable handling in turns. The 1.5" diameter bar increases torsional rigidity for improved steering response and better front-end stability, especially under load or during aggressive driving. The front sway bar is compatible with 2WD model 1500s.

Rear Sway Bar: Designed for 2WD models, 1.25” diameter bar reduces rear body roll and improves overall stability by increasing stiffness through corners, helping the truck stay flatter and more controlled under load. The rear sway bar pairs well with a front sway bar or torque arm system for balanced, predictable handling in lowered or performance builds.

Why Choose QA1 for Your NBS Truck Suspension? 

No matter which level you choose, both QA1 systems offer significant improvements over factory suspension. From ride height adjustability and improved geometry to the quality engineering of the components, each kit is engineered to deliver an exceptional driving experience. Whether you’re chasing style, comfort, or cornering, QA1’s NBS kits provide a bolt-in solution backed by real engineering — and proudly made in the USA.

Ready to take your Silverado or Sierra to the next level? Choose the kit that fits your style and start dialing in your perfect setup.

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