What Is A Squatted Truck & Is It Legal?
Source: Pixabay
One of the best parts of being a car enthusiast is the ability to modify your vehicle as you see fit. Some modifications will upgrade your vehicle’s performance, while some aftermarket mods will beautify your car. However, there are car modifications that will truly make your vehicle stand out because they’re something you don’t see very often.
One such modification that has become popular in the last five years is called the squatted truck.
If you’re interested in a squatted truck setup, one of the things you should know is if this type of modification is illegal in your state. For today’s post, we’ll discuss squatted trucks, what precisely this modification is, and if it’s legal in your state or not. Let’s take a look!
What Exactly is a Squatted Truck?
A squatted truck is a type of auto modification where the vehicle’s front end is raised while the rear is lowered or unmodified. With the rear part of the truck being so close to the ground, it appears as if it’s squatting. The most popular nickname for squatted trucks is “Carolina Squat,” but we’ve seen people call it “California Lean” and “Tennessee Tilt.”
Interestingly, despite its Carolina moniker, the lean seems to originate from the Baja racing scene in California. Baja racing is a grassroots racing event where participants build/modify their own buggies and trucks to compete in unforgiving off-road and hilly race tracks. The lean enables the trucks to land on their rear first to prevent nose dives, keep participants on the race and avoid significant damage.
Today, lifted trucks are popular in California, the Dakotas, and the Southern East Coast. You can see many popular squatted truck accounts on social media platforms, especially TikTok and Instagram. Amusingly enough, squatting mods fans seem younger than your average truck owners.
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How Does One Squat a Truck?
Getting the Carolina Squat or Cali Lean on your truck or SUV isn’t that complicated, at least on a fundamental level. With a moderate lift kit, all you need to do is install the front end and leave the rear unmodified. However, making a more pronounced squat may require a bit more work.
For extreme squats, modders buy the more expensive kits that can provide nine or ten-inch lifts for a more dramatic look. Some technicians also take out the rear suspension leveling blocks to achieve a more extreme elevation angle.
If you’re looking to squat your truck, you could potentially spend a few hundred dollars up to $10,000. The cost of the squatting job will depend on several factors like truck size, which squat kit to use, and whether it’s DIY or professional. For instance, a simple body lift for about two inches will only cost you a few hundred dollars. Going down the DIY route, you could get a lift kit for less than $50, but it’s a straightforward kit with a few components. Meanwhile, some high-end kits may cost you between $500 and $5,000.
If you seek professional help, technicians may charge you between $200 and $1,500, depending on the needed components and the job’s complexity.
Why Do People Do It?
As mentioned, squatted trucks are used for Baja races, but squatting has no practical purpose beyond the off-roading circuit. Nowadays, people squat their trucks and SUVs for aesthetic purposes, hence why it’s so popular on social media platforms. You can find Instagram pages, Facebook groups, and TikTok accounts dedicated to this type of modification. It became so popular that many aftermarket companies have produced their own squat kits to meet the growing demand.
The Dangers of Squatted Trucks
Most car and truck modifications are relatively harmless; some mods are genuine safety hazards. Unfortunately, squatted trucks belong to the latter. These modifications are not only impractical but also dangerous since they change the way you drive.
One of the most significant flaws of squatting is that it dramatically elevates the driver’s position, so it’s harder to see the road in front of you. The decreased visibility makes you a liability on the road and greatly increases the likelihood of crashing. In addition, forget about towing anything with your squatting truck since your rear is already close to the ground.
Another potentially dangerous aspect of squatting is your truck’s poor headlight aim. Since your front end is sitting at an upward angle, you’re essentially lighting up the sky instead of the road in front. In some cases, poor headlight positioning may also blind oncoming cars and their drivers, which is another crash hazard.
Furthermore, squatting makes your truck handle differently, but not in a good way. For example, you’ll have poor braking and steering since most of the power comes from the vehicle’s front end. Plus, minor bumps and dips on the road will make your ride much less comfortable, especially when your truck is loaded.
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Are Squatted Trucks Illegal?
Due to its dangerous implications, concerned citizens and lawmakers have rallied to outlaw the squat modification. As of this writing, two states have successfully outlawed squatted trucks: North Carolina and Virginia. However, a third state may soon follow as South Carolina lawmakers inch towards a similar bill that will ban the Carolina Squat.
With the rate of it being outlawed, the days of squatted trucks may be numbered. It won’t be a surprise if a widespread ban happens down the line, primarily when people advocate for its ban. If you’re inclined to check the Change.org website, many have submitted their petition and signed the banning of squatted trucks. Amusingly, there are also a few petitions to keep this trend legal, stating that everyone should have the freedom to do what they want with their trucks.
Like all fads and trends, squatted trucks will probably run their course soon. This modification doesn’t exactly offer practicality unless you’re into Baja racing. However, many consider it a safety hazard and not just a questionable choice in aesthetics. So what do you think? Should squatted trucks stay or should they be outlawed?
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