How legal is the Squatted truck?

Most people understand what a lifted truck is but don’t have as much understanding about what the squatted truck means. This unique look may not have a lot of purposes, but it doesn’t stop people from doing it.

This guide will explain what a "squatted" truck looks like. This guide will discuss legality and reasons why it might be illegal. You can still squat your truck if that is what you want. Our guide will show you how to calculate the costs.

What exactly is a Squatted Truck and how does it work?

Squatted trucks are pickups whose front ends are raised while their backs are lowered. The truck's rear end is higher than the ground so it appears to be squatting. It’s also known as the Carolina Squat, even though that’s not where it originated. 

You can also call it the Cali Lean or California Lean. There’s also the chance that you’ve heard it called the Tennessee Tilt. 

Baja racers inspired the design of the squatted pickup truck. You will encounter many hilly terrains and lots of jumping when you run the Baja desert races. The truck will be able to land at the rear first by having its back squatted. It can avoid a nose-diving accident that could potentially damage it. Drivers who land the truck on their front ends first might be prevented from finishing the race. 

Are Squatted trucks useful?

As we’ve previously discussed, if you are a Baja racer, it makes a lot of sense to squat the back of the vehicle. This will protect your vehicle, and you'll have the best possible chance of taking first place.

Aside from racing, there’s no real purpose in having a squatted truck. It is still very popular in South Dakota and North Dakota. Today’s drivers only squat the truck for the aesthetic appeal it offers. 

This phenomenon is covered in a lot of social media posts. You can find a lot inspiration in various Instagram photos and comments from Facebook groups if you decide to make your own truck. Due to high demand, many companies are now producing squatting kit aftermarket. 

Related: How much does it cost to lift a truck?

Hazards from the Squatted Car

1. Reduced visibility

It might look cool to have a squatted truck, but there are real dangers. First, your visibility will decrease. 

As the front of the truck is higher than the back, it becomes more difficult to see what’s happening in front of the vehicle. The likelihood of you getting into an accident, or being run over by another vehicle increases because there is less visibility. 

2. Poor Headlight Adjustment

Because of the truck angle difference, your headlights may also be different. The headlights will point higher towards the sky than they do toward the road. 

This could cause the beam to travel over ontocoming traffic, blinding drivers in the rear. This increases the chance of an accident. 

3. Reduction in Capability

The squatted truck also doesn’t work the way a normal truck would. The way the rear rests on the ground reduces its ability to haul. There will be some adjustments in how the truck handles and brakes. 

You may need to take some time before you feel comfortable with the truck. That’s why you should test drive the truck in an empty parking lot after any major suspension modification. 

4. Gets through all parts

Other than that, the truck with a squatted suspension can move parts quicker. Due to the increased wear on springs and shocks, it might become more frequent for you to change them. The tires will wear faster at the back than ever before. In the long-term cost, you should consider the additional tire costs.

There’s also the damage that gets done if you rub the back of the truck on a dip in the road. For the sake of giving your truck a new look, you could be facing expensive repairs. 

RELATED: 10 Best Used Pickup Trucks Under $10,000 (& Most Reliable)

It costs to squat a truck

Based on your aspirations and goals, an average truck could cost you between $250 to $10,000. You will pay more over the long-term if you consider many things. The cost of a truck will depend on the size you choose. The squat kits you choose and your ability to install it yourself will affect the cost. Additional components, like an upgraded suspension or a squat kit, will increase the price.

A cheap kit will lift the truck's front about 2 inches. With many of these, you might spend only a couple of hundred dollars and you shouldn’t need any major modifications. It’s also possible to put many of these kits on yourself without professional tools. But, it is more expensive to choose a trusted brand, and more durable parts, than you would think.

You might pay $200-$2,000 for labor depending on how extensive the work is. The labor cost does not include the purchase of all parts necessary to complete the project. This cost can be reduced by ordering beer and pizza to your buddies, and throwing a garage party. Still, you don’t want to tackle this type of job unless you know what you are doing and you have the equipment to do it right. 

Are Squatted trucks legal?

A lot of states have regulations regarding lifting trucks. If you plan to lift the front of your truck to give it a squatting appearance, you want to look closer at what’s allowed in your area. 

If you are not a resident of North Carolina, the current squatting laws do not exist. North Carolina was the first state in the country to adopt a law making squatted vehicles illegal on its roads. This law went into effect May 20, 2121. This law, which went into effect in December 2021, is most likely the first to come from other states. 

The law specifically states, “A private passenger automobile shall not be modified or altered by elevating more than three inches from the manufacturer’s specified height in the front and lowering the automobile more than two inches from the specified height in the rear.”

You could be subject to a fine if you are caught driving with a truck that is not registered as a bill. The court would charge you with costs. Additionally, the authorities could take away your driver’s license if you are caught and end up with multiple infractions on your record. It’s not worth taking the chance just to make your truck look good.