If you're staring at a cracked dashboard or those tired bench seats, it's probably time to start thinking about a custom obs interior project. These trucks—specifically the Old Body Style GM and Ford pickups from the late 80s and 90s—are arguably some of the best-looking rigs ever built, but the factory cabins haven't exactly aged like fine wine. Between the brittle plastics and the questionable fabric choices of the era, most of these trucks are begging for a refresh.
The beauty of working on an OBS truck is that they occupy a perfect middle ground. They aren't so old that they're impossible to daily drive, but they aren't so new that they're filled with over-complicated computer modules that break the second you touch a wire. You can actually get in there, take things apart, and build something that reflects your personal style without needing a degree in electrical engineering.
Why the Interior Often Gets Ignored
We've all seen it. Someone spends five grand on a beautiful paint job, drops the truck on a nice set of wheels, and then you look inside and it's a disaster. It's easy to focus on the exterior because that's what the world sees, but the interior is where you actually spend your time. If you're bouncing around on flat foam and staring at a stained headliner, the driving experience just isn't what it could be.
A custom obs interior doesn't just make the truck look better; it changes how the truck feels on the road. Updating the seats, adding some sound deadening, and refreshing the touchpoints can make a thirty-year-old workhorse feel like a modern luxury vehicle. Plus, let's be honest, these trucks are exploding in value right now. Investing in a high-quality interior is one of the smartest ways to protect that investment.
Starting with the Foundation: Seats and Comfort
The seats are the heart of any interior. In many OBS trucks, the factory bench has the structural integrity of a wet marshmallow by now. You've probably got that "lean" going on where the driver's side sits two inches lower than the passenger side.
When you start planning your custom obs interior, you have to decide if you want to keep the original seats or swap them out. If you're a purist, you can get new foam and high-end upholstery kits. There are companies out there making incredible replacement covers in leather, suede, or even high-grade vinyl that looks better than the original stuff.
If you want something more modern, many guys are swapping in seats from newer trucks. Putting 2015+ Silverado or Sierra buckets into a 90s Chevy is a popular move, though it does require some bracket fabrication. If you go this route, you get the benefit of built-in seatbelts and much better lumbar support. Just make sure the scale of the seat matches the cab—you don't want to feel like the seat is swallowing the entire space.
The Dashboard and Plastic Trim Crisis
If there's one "villain" in the story of the OBS truck, it's the sun. Decades of UV rays have turned the factory plastic into something resembling a potato chip. If you touch your dashboard and a piece flakes off, you're not alone.
Fixing the dash is often the most intimidating part of a custom obs interior build. You have a few options here. You can go with a dash cover, which is a molded piece of plastic that glues over your existing dash. If you get a high-quality one and prep it right, it can look surprisingly good.
However, if you want a true custom look, you might consider pulling the dash entirely. Once it's out, you can fill the cracks, sand it down, and have it wrapped in leather or vinyl with custom stitching. This is where the "custom" part really shines. Seeing a 1994 Ford F-150 with a stitched leather dash completely changes the vibe of the truck. It moves it from "old farm pickup" to "high-end restomod."
Flooring and the Secret to a Quiet Ride
Don't just throw a new carpet over the old floorboards and call it a day. If you have the interior stripped out, this is your one chance to do things right. The factory insulation in these trucks was pretty minimal, which is why they tend to be noisy and hot.
Before the new carpet goes down, lay down some high-quality sound deadening material. It's a tedious job, but the difference it makes is night and day. It stops the vibrations, kills the road noise, and keeps the heat from the transmission tunnel out of your face.
For the carpet itself, you can stick with the factory-style loop or cut pile, but don't be afraid to experiment. Some people are opting for luxury "German square weave" or even marine-grade vinyl floors for a rugged, easy-to-clean look. Whatever you choose, make sure you get a molded kit specifically for your cab configuration. Trying to make flat carpet fit around those floor humps is a recipe for a headache.
Door Panels and Small Details
Door panels are another weak point. The plastic clips break, the armrests sag, and the fabric inserts start to peel. When you're building a custom obs interior, the door panels are a great place to add some contrast.
You can use different textures here—maybe a perforated leather insert to match your seats, or some CNC-machined aluminum pull handles. If you're into audio, this is also the time to think about your speaker placement. The factory locations aren't great for sound staging, so many custom builds incorporate custom fiberglass pods into the lower door panels to house larger components.
Modern Tech in a Classic Shell
Just because the truck is old doesn't mean you have to live in the dark ages. Integrating modern technology is a huge part of the custom obs interior trend.
The most common upgrade is a double-DIN head unit with Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. In many OBS trucks, this requires a bit of trimming or a custom dash bezel, but having navigation and a backup camera makes the truck so much more usable.
Digital gauges are another game-changer. Companies like Dakota Digital make clusters that fit right into the factory spot but give you incredibly accurate readouts and a clean, modern look. You get the best of both worlds: the classic square-body aesthetic with the reliability of modern electronics.
Lighting and Final Touches
Finally, let's talk about lighting. The old yellow incandescent bulbs in the dome light and the dash are usually dim and depressing. Switching everything over to LEDs is a cheap and easy way to modernize the space.
But don't stop there. Subtle ambient lighting—like soft glow under the dash or in the door pockets—can make the cabin feel premium at night. It's all about those small details that tie the whole custom obs interior together.
Whether you're doing a budget-friendly DIY refresh or a no-expense-spared professional build, the goal is the same: making the truck yours. These OBS pickups have a soul that modern trucks just can't replicate. By giving the interior the attention it deserves, you're ensuring that your truck stays on the road—and looks damn good doing it—for another thirty years.
Just remember to take your time. There's no rush to finish a project like this. Take it one piece at a time, from the floor to the ceiling, and before you know it, you'll have a cab that you actually look forward to climbing into every morning. That's the real reward of a custom build.