Carolina Squat, What Exactly Is It?

As the name suggests, it goes beyond saying that the birthplace of this trend to modify the frontal suspension of a truck is the southern US states, especially Carolina. Thanks to the Baja racing in California that started this trend, it gained popularity soon. A number of truck owners have found this trend pretty attractive and adopted it quickly. Their Instagram profiles justify this statement, in which they have often been seen seated inside their squatting truck.

Although the following listicle discusses all those modified Carolina squat cars and the specific form of modification, some of the US states have put a ban on those vehicles. While some states have already passed a bill to check such activities, some are already planning to put an end to such practices soon. However, we have listed out a few examples of Carolina squatting trucks, that include- the Chevrolet Tahoe, GMC Sierra 1500, and Toyota 4runner.

Why is it called Carolina Squat?

The name "Carolina Squat" is thought to have originated in North Carolina, where the modification first became popular. However, the modification is now seen in trucks all over the United States.

Which states have banned Carolina Squat?

Three states in the United States of America have banned Carolina Squat: North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. Other states are considering similar bans.

How is a car converted to a Carolina Squat car?

The Carolina Squat is typically achieved by installing a lift kit in the front suspension and lowering springs in the rear suspension. But, one has to be aware of the fact that the Carolina Squat can put more stress on the truck's suspension and components, which can lead to premature wear and tear.

Is it possible to Modify a Truck for Carolina squatting?

Any ordinary truck can be modified for Carolina squatting. There are plenty of suspension lifting kits available with aftermarket dealers and manufacturers to modify a stock truck for Carolina squats. There’s always an option to customize the rear portion of the truck by elevating the front end of the vehicle. The owner might also go for ball-joint lifting or adjust the torsion bar for lowering the rear suspension and keep the frontal suspension elevated. By using the drop shackles on the rear axles, the owner can also incline the rear axles further, by going even over 10 inches.

What Makes It illegal in some states of the US?

Although Carolina squatted trucks have been quite popular amongst truck owners but unfortunately it has been considered illegal in some US states. According to Senate bill 777, all Carolina squatted trucks are prohibited from entering state highways that have front bumpers modified up to four inches or higher than the rear portion. This legal initiative was taken when a 19-year-old died driving a 2016 Chevrolet Silverado which eventually scattered all over the road in the fatal accident.

The same bill has been passed in Virginia too, that made the Carolina squatted trucks illegal within the state after North Carolina. It is also expected that a similar law might pass in South Carolina’s legislature too soon.

Is it dangerous to perform Carolina Squatting?

Honestly, a significant number of drivers have admitted that Carolina squatting over highways and state roadways can be quite fatal. According to the report of the US state highway authorities, performing stunts like Carolina squatting can be quite dangerous sometimes, due to some of the following reasons-

• Compromised visibility- The airlifted front suspension of the vehicle might lead to impaired vision, which frequently misleads the driver to oversee what is ahead of them. This might lead the drivers to ram over cyclists, motorists, or pedestrians moving in front of the truck.

Maximum chances to roll over Carolina squatting vehicles have a significant chance to collide with any side of the other vehicles which are too close to the truck. That can possibly trigger a fatal rollover accident by crushing the other vehicle underneath the truck. Such type of head-on collision with a Carolina squatting truck can be too dangerous for the passengers seated in the crashed vehicle. It can result in serious injuries like broken necks, bags, and legs of the passengers seated inside it.

A few examples of Carolina Squatting modified trucks

A number of truck owners have modified their trucks from time to time. We have shortlisted some of those uniquely modified trucks that have seen Carolina squatting on various occasions. The list of those modified squatting cars has been shared below:

5. GMC Sierra 1500 Carolina squatted

This modified GMC Sierra 1500 has got an amazing blue color on its exterior body. It has got the frontal suspension slightly airlifted. It has got an aggressive pair of Haida MT 33”x12.5” inches wheels.

Although the exact modification specs about the car’s suspension can’t be confirmed, its front suspension has been airlifted by sacrificing the rear suspension, as they have been lowered down a bit.

Squatting GMC Sierra 1500	Specs
Price	$29,595
Powertrain	4.8-liter V8 flex fuel engine
Horsepower	302 hp
Torque	305 lb-ft
Transmission	4-speed automatic
0-60 mph	4.1 seconds
Top speed	108 mph

This squatting GMC Sierra has got a 4.8-liter V8 flex fuel engine that has the capability to generate 302hp and a maximum torque of 305 lb-ft. It has also got a 4-speed automatic transmission to cover 0-60 mph within 4.1 seconds only. The truck also had a top speed of 108 mph too.

4. 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe

This 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe is another example of a Carolina squatting truck that has got the vehicle’s exterior body suitably matches the airlifted frontal suspension. This silver-colored Tahoe truck has got American Force to burn out SS 22*14 -70 inches equipped with it. It has also got a 35”x12.5” fab tech suspension lift 6” inches added to it.

It has got a super aggressive 3-5” inches stance attached to it along with fabtech 6 inches shock extenders added for uplifting the stock suspension with 3 inches lift keys too.

Modified 2002 Chevrolet Tahoe	Specs
Price	$33,204
Powertrain	4.8-liter V8 engine
Horsepower	275 hp
Torque	295 lb-ft
Transmission	4-speed automatic
0-60 mph	8.8 seconds
Top speed	106 mph

Although, the truck’s stock suspension underwent multiple changes, however, it has got a 4.8-liter V8 engine under the hood that’s capable to produce 275hp and a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft. It has also got a 4-speed automatic transmission for covering 0-60 mph within 8.8 seconds too. It has also got a top speed limit of 106 mph too.

3. 2016 Toyota 4Runner

Although, car squatting has been declared an illegal offense in the US, it is difficult to ignore this Toyota 4runner from 2016 that has been customized for squatting. All credit goes to the Perfection wheels which are used for modifying the truck’s wheels with 26” reps on 35s.

Apart from that additional springs were added to uplift the front suspension of the truck. However, the exact modified specs of the rear and the front suspension of the truck can’t be confirmed as the details have not been shared. We believe the modification has been surely a costly one.

Squatting Toyota 4Runner	Specs
Price	$34,010
Powertrain	4.0-liter V6 engine
Horsepower	270hp
Torque	278 lb-ft
Transmission	5-speed shiftable automatic
0-60 mph	7.6 seconds
Top speed	115 mph

The truck from Toyota has got a 4.0-liter V6 engine that has the capacity to produce 270hp and a maximum torque of 278 lb-ft. It has got a 5-speed automatic transmission to cover 0-60 mph within 7.6 seconds too. It has got a maximum speed limit of 115 mph.

2. 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe

This 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe has got a super lift suspension system that lifts the truck up to 6” inches. It has got a 4WD configuration with ARKON off-road Lincoln 24x14-81 offset wheels too. The vehicle has barely got any front wheel spacers.

The squatting car has got an elevated front suspension making it look slightly as if it's pointing towards the sky. The vehicle has also got a backspacing of 4.3 too.

Modified 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe	Specs
Price	$35,915
Powertrain	4.8-liter V8 engine
Horsepower	285 hp
Torque	295 lb-ft
Transmission	4-speed automatic
0-60 mph	9.5 seconds
Top speed	106 mph

Although the front suspension of the truck has been modified to make it capable of being one of the squat trucks, however, its basic powertrain remained same. It has got a base 4.8-liter V8 engine that’s capable to generate 285hp and has a torque of 295 lb-ft. It has also got a 4-speed automatic transmission to cover 0-60 mph within 9.5 seconds. The truck from Chevrolet has also got a top speed of 106 mph too.

1. 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe

This 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe is another example of a Carolina squatting truck. It has got some serious modifications on the frontal part. The frontal suspension of the truck elevates it sufficiently above the ground by keeping the rear portion sufficiently low.

Literally speaking, with the truck’s headlights on, it looks like lighting up the whole sky. The truck has also got 24x14 Tuff T2A chrome finish AMP terrain tires added from Rimz One.

Modified 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe	Specs
Price	$35,915
Powertrain	4.8-liter V8 engine
Horsepower	285hp
Torque	295 lb-ft
Transmission	4-speed automatic
0-60 mph	9.5 seconds
Top speed	106 mph

Although, much of the car’s frontal suspension has been changed, however, it has got a 4.8-liter V8 engine that’s capable of generating 285hp and a maximum torque of 295 lb-ft. It has also got a 4-speed automatic transmission to cover 0-60 mph within 9.5 seconds. It has also got a top speed limit of 106 mph too.

Conclusion

Carolina squatting trucks are a very popular way of modifying trucks these days. However, it might be a dangerous practice of squatting the vehicles on state highways and roads, if the squatted truck rams or crashes any other vehicles, or pedestrians passing nearby.