What is a Squatted Truck?

There are many dubious trends in the truck world, usually geared toward changing the truck's appearance, even if it serves no useful purpose.

Some of these include sky-high body lifts, extreme wheel spacing, and driving on the road with huge mud-bogger tires.

Another trend is the squatted truck, which has other names, such as tooted truck or Carolina Squat.

This describes a truck with an extreme reverse rake, which means a much higher front than the rear. This is usually done by installing a sizable lift kit on the front suspension, usually about six to eight inches, while leaving the rear suspension stock or possibly lowered.

Source: Reddit

Where Did the Squatted Truck Trend Come From?

With the Carolina Squat name, you might assume the trend started in one of the Carolinas. That's somewhat accurate, as the wide height disparity between front and rear probably did come from this area.

However, modifying trucks with a reverse rake has been a thing in the truck world for a long time, especially on the West Coast.

In California, the look is called Cali Lean or Baja Stance. However, there's a crucial difference between it and the Carolina look. First, Cali Lean originates from truck races called the Baja 500 and Baja 1000.

Source: Reddit

The trucks participating in these races, often called prerunners, use soft multi-link or leaf rear suspensions to absorb bumps at high speed.

Secondly, the Cali Lean trucks are only about two to three inches lower in the rear than in the front, while the Carolina Squat trucks are often as much as ten inches taller in the front.

This is done entirely for looks and serves no practical purpose, while the California style obviously does.

Significant Downsides To Extreme Squatting

There are several major downsides to the Carolina Squat. One of the biggest ones is the lack of visibility. Due to the huge height disparity, it's basically impossible to see over the hood. This is the main reason that the Carolina Squat is banned in a few states.

The absurd height of the front also ruins visibility for other drivers due to the headlight trajectory. The lights can't aim at the road.

The drastic modifications and improper alignments also cause major drivability issues, especially at high speeds. Another issue is oil starvation. The oil flows to the rear of the oil pan, which is not where the pickup tube is.

This keeps the oil pump from getting enough oil, which in turn causes excessive wear on practically every part of the engine.

Source: Reddit

How To Squat a Truck

The method for squatting a truck depends largely on the look you want. If you choose the Carolina Squat, you'll lower the rear suspension with coilovers, airbags, or a hydraulic system. At the same time, you'll install a lift on the front suspension of up to eight inches.

This results in a more dramatic stance. The rear is about six inches below the front, but depending on how dramatic the lowering and lifting are, it can be as much as ten inches.

On the other hand, the California Lean means modifying the suspension to tilt the rear rather than drop it. This method generally uses coilovers or airbags to achieve a one—or two-inch drop in the rear.

Since this look is less aggressive than the other one, it is usually not noticeable enough to attract the attention of law enforcement.

Source: Reddit and Instagram @david_98_xlt

Why Would You Want To Squat Your Truck?

In general, the squatted truck look is more about aesthetics than anything useful. People typically do it to be part of the enthusiast community, as forums and meetups are dedicated to showing off these modifications.

In the case of the California Lean modification, you might do it if you intend to take part in high-speed off-road races. In some places, the squatted truck is explicitly illegal, so it's important to check with local laws before making any modifications.

Source: Reddit

Squatted Truck FAQ

Let's take a look at some common questions about squatted trucks to sum up the trend.

Why do people squat their trucks?

A: The squatted truck is primarily created by people who like how it looks. The more dramatic the difference between the front and rear, the less practical purpose it has. With only a few inches of difference, the reverse rake can help the truck perform better in off-road races.

Is it legal to drive a squatted truck?

A: In some places, like North Carolina, driving a squatted truck is illegal. Other local jurisdictions may also have rules banning squatted trucks.

Does squatting a truck affect its performance?

A: A dramatic squat will make the truck difficult to drive and unsafe at high speeds. Due to the lifted front end, visibility over the hood is basically impossible and the headlights can't be pointed at the road either.

On the other hand, a soft suspension in the rear, lowering it by one or two inches, can help the truck absorb bumps in off-road racing.

How is a truck squatted?

A: For the Carolina Squat, it's usually a combination of lowering the rear end and lifting the front end. In the California Lean, it might include a small lift in the front and then a soft suspension in the rear that sags.

Are squatted trucks safe to drive?

A: This depends on how dramatically the truck is squatted. Anything over a few inches will become progressively unsafe to drive due to the lack of visibility over the hood and making it unbalanced.

Where did the squatted truck trend originate?

A: The dramatic reverse rake most people likely associate with the squatted truck originated in the Carolinas and is called the Carolina Squat. A much less dramatic version of the squat is known as the California Lean or Baja Stance.

Can squatted trucks be used for towing or off-roading?

A: A mildly squatted truck like the Baja Stance version is often used for off-road racing. The more dramatic the squat, the less practical it is. On the other hand, it's not safe to tow with a squatted truck, as there isn't enough clearance between the rear and the ground to add a trailer.

Why are squatted trucks controversial?

A: Dramatic modifications tend to be controversial due to those who dislike their appearance, but there are practical concerns in this case. Dramatically squatted trucks are unsafe on the road and impact the safety of other drivers as well.

Do squatted trucks damage the vehicle over time?

A: Yes, the extreme reverse rake is especially known for causing engine damage due to the oil flowing to the rear of the pan and not being picked up by the oil pump. This is obviously far more likely on a dramatically squatted truck.

How do I reverse the squat on my truck?

A: Depending on what you did to squat your truck in the first place, you would simply reverse the process. A lift and airbags can be removed, for example.

Visit H&H Truck Accessories for everything you need to modify your truck. Some more practical alternatives to squatting your truck include using a suspension lift kit or leveling kit to gain more ground clearance.