1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra Air Suspension Guide
If you’re building a 1999–2006 Chevy Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500 on air, the main decisions are the front setup, rear suspension layout, wheel-and-tire size, and how complete you want the air-management package to be.
EKMW offers both front cup-style and control-arm-style options, a dedicated rear 2-link system, welded notch components, complete front-and-rear kits, and the air-management parts needed to finish the system.
Start with the chassis
This guide is focused on 1999–2006 Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 applications. Some front control-arm components are specifically for 2WD trucks, so confirm drivetrain and exact chassis before ordering.
Shop all 1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra air suspension parts
Front option 1: Cup kit
The EKMW front cup kit is the more traditional route for smaller-wheel builds using factory-style front suspension components. It includes the upper bag plate, lower cup, and shock-relocation components needed to convert the front suspension to air.
The cup-kit route is typically the better starting point for trucks using smaller wheel-and-tire combinations and factory control arms.
View the 1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra front cup kit
Front option 2: EKMW control arms
For larger-wheel and more aggressive air-ride builds, the EKMW front control-arm kit gives you a more complete geometry solution.
- Designed for 1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra 1500 applications
- 2WD only
- Upper and lower control arms included
- Factory-style MOOG ball joints
- Upper bag plate and shock mount
- Upper-control-arm relocation tabs
- Steering adapter kit included
- Front track width is narrowed approximately 1 inch per side
Factory spindles are required. The spindles must be sent to Ekstensive Metal Works so they can be drilled for the new ball joints and steering setup.
View the 1999–2006 front control-arm kit
The rear: 2-link, notch, bags, shocks and panhard bar
The EKMW rear system converts the leaf-spring truck to a 2-link air-suspension layout and is designed as a complete rear fabrication package.
- 1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra 1/2-ton fitment
- One-piece welded step notch
- 2-link bars
- Lower bag mounts
- Lower shock mounts
- Upper bag-mount crossmember
- Panhard-bar components
- U-bolt hardware
- Designed for up to a 33-inch-tall tire and 26–28-inch wheel combinations when installed as intended
The rear kit requires frame cutting, welding, and fabrication. Allow approximately 10–14 business days for fabrication before shipping.
View the 1999–2006 rear air-suspension kit
Need only the notch?
If you’re piecing together your own rear suspension, EKMW also offers the application-specific welded notch with bridge bars. It includes the welded notch, bridge bars, upper shock mounts, panhard-bar frame mount, and filler plates.
View the 1999–2006 welded notch with bridge bars
Complete kit vs. piecing it together
If you want to buy the chassis parts and air-management hardware together, EKMW offers complete front-and-rear packages. These combine the suspension components with bags, compressors, tank, valves, switches, gauge, air line, and fittings.
View the 20–22-inch complete kit
View the larger-wheel control-arm complete kit
Air management
A complete air-ride setup also needs a way to store, compress, route, and control air. Typical components include:
- Air bags
- Compressors
- Air tank
- Valves or digital management
- Pressure switch and relay
- DOT air line
- Fittings
- Gauge or digital controller
Shop air-management kits or shop compressors.
Before you order
Confirm the truck year, 1500 chassis, 2WD/4WD configuration, wheel and tire size, spindle setup, and desired laid-out height before ordering. The cup-style and control-arm front systems are intended for different build goals, and the rear system requires professional-quality fabrication.
If you’re unsure which EKMW combination fits your truck, start with the 1999–2006 Silverado / Sierra collection and compare the front, rear, and complete-kit options before ordering.