How To Squat a Truck? DIY Squatting Truck Guide
This trend has taken over the truck world. Here's how you squat your truck or suv.
Updated: September 11, 2023 // Did You Know?
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Carolina squat, a popular truck modification trend that has been gaining traction in recent years, is both loved and hated by automotive enthusiasts. This unique styling choice involves raising the front end of a vehicle while leaving the rear end at its original height or even lower. What could be the source of such intense disagreement over this mod?
We'll look at how it's become a beloved trend among enthusiasts across America, and discuss how this trend began in North Carolina and South Carolina before spreading like wildfire across the nation.
We'll also explore how to achieve the perfect squat for your truck using various methods available today. Furthermore, we'll address an important question on everyone's mind - are squatted trucks legal? Let's get into it.
What is a Squatted Truck?
A squatted truck is a modified vehicle that has been lowered to sit closer to the ground. You can typically get this look by cutting and adjusting the suspension. The front of the vehicle is elevated by several inches compared to the rear.
Have you ever encountered a truck that appears to be scraping its tail on the road? That's a squatted truck, also known as the Carolina squat, Cali lean, or Tennessee tilt.
Origins of the Squat
The Carolina squat started in Baja racing in Mexico, where lifted front ends improved suspension travel and handling over rough terrain.
Rise in Popularity
Social media platforms like Instagram have helped spread awareness about squatted trucks, with thousands of likes and comments from fellow enthusiasts who appreciate this unique aesthetic.
Squats vs Lifts: What's The Difference?
- Lifted Trucks: Both front and rear suspensions are raised equally, resulting in increased ground clearance all around.
- Squatted Trucks: Only the front end is raised, resulting in an uneven stance that slopes downward toward the rear.
How to Squat a Truck?
Want to give your truck an aggressive stance? Here's a step-by-step guide on how to squat your truck:
Choose Your Method
- Leveling Kits: Raise only the front of your truck, typically by 1-3 inches.
- Lift Kits: Raise both the front and rear suspension but allow you to adjust them independently.
Gather Tools & Materials
- Suspension kit (leveling or lift)
- Floor jack & jack stands
- Torque wrench & socket set
Prepare Your Workspace
Park your truck on level ground in an area where you have plenty of space around it for maneuverability during installation.
Install Leveling Kit/Lift Kit
- Raise Front End: Jack up one side at a time using floor jacks under each wheel well until tires come off the ground.
- Secure Truck: Place jack stands under the frame to support your truck safely and securely.
- Remove Tires: Remove front tires for easier access to suspension components.
- Familiarize Yourself with Instructions: Read through the instructions provided by your chosen kit manufacturer.
Note: If you're installing a lift kit, follow similar steps for both front and rear suspensions but adjust accordingly based on desired squat height difference between the two ends of your truck.
Reassemble & Test Drive
Put everything back together in reverse order and take it for a test drive to ensure proper alignment and performance of your newly squatted truck.
Is Squatting Your Truck Legal?
Squatted trucks, also known as the Carolina squat, are a hot topic among car enthusiasts and law enforcement officials.
Some view it as a fashionable statement, while others deem it an unsafe risk on the streets.
Here's what you need to know about the legality of squatted trucks in different countries:
United States
Vehicle modification laws vary from state to state, with some states having strict regulations regarding suspension modifications like squatting.
- North Carolina: Recently passed House Bill 692, which bans vehicles with modified suspensions that raise or lower either end by more than three inches.
- Texas: Prohibits any alteration that raises or lowers one end by more than four inches compared to its original height.
- California: Requires all vehicles to maintain specific ground clearance measurements based on their wheelbase length.
Canada
Vehicle modification laws are determined by each province, with British Columbia's Motor Vehicle Act Regulations prohibiting any alteration that raises or lowers a vehicle's suspension more than two inches from its original height.
Australia and New Zealand
Both countries enforce strict guidelines on vehicle modifications to maintain road safety standards.
Australia's Australian Design Rules govern all aspects of vehicle design and construction, including suspension alterations like squatting.
New Zealand has the Land Transport Rule: Vehicle Standards Compliance 2002, which sets out requirements for modified suspensions.
Disclaimer: The writers of this article may have used artificial intelligence to help them with some of the material. It should not be a replacement for professional help.
Sources:
- What Is a Squatted Truck? https://www.motorbiscuit.com/what-is-a-squatted-truck/
- the Move, M. O. (2022, December 26). Why Do People Drive Squatted Trucks? Mortons on the Move. https://www.mortonsonthemove.com/squatted-trucks/
- Cesari, H. (2022, May 29). What Is a Squatted Truck? How To Achieve The Carolina Squat | Ultimate Rides. (n.d.). Ultimate Rides. https://ultimaterides.com/carolina-squat/