A Beginner's Guide To Lowrider Trucks
But be warned: addiction is common
You've probably seen lowrider trucks on the roads as you're driving along; probably thought "hey that's pretty cool" and continued on your way. But one day when a show rolls into town, especially if it's an international festival with trucks from all over the world, make the effort to go along and you'll be very glad you did. Mixing it with these enthusiasts opens your eyes to a world you may have been oblivious to. Owners and lovers of lowrider trucks take enormous pride in their machines and they speak a language all their own.
What is a lowrider truck?
Any truck that's had its suspension modified in order to reduce ground clearance is a lowrider truck. Not only do the benefits include easier handling and a smoother ride, but the cool factor is undeniable.
2WD or 4WD?
Lowrider trucks seem to most commonly be 2WD, probably because owners would be pretty unlikely to take their pride and joy off road. They're souped-up show ponies, dressed to thrill with custom equipment, and untold amounts of money spent on improvements.
Accessories unlimited
You'll find in lowrider trucks, the latest sound systems with amplifiers that when playing the right music, practically drive the cars on the bass notes alone! As accessories go, the old fluffy dice may be a bit of a novelty but expect to see sparkling, customized hood ornaments, hand-sewn seat covers, state-of-the-art GPS navigation systems and all manner of other lighting and sound components that will blow your mind. Custom paint jobs are as individual as the owners themselves, who live out their wildest fantasies in spray painted alien scenes or borderline pornographic images.
Brands
Classic and brand new vehicles can be turned into lowrider trucks and it's just a matter of the enthusiast's badge of choice. A devoted Chevy owner can transform a worn-out, yet classic, '65 truck into a lowridin' dream machine with the right amount of cash. Or a kid with stars in his eyes and a used 1989 2WD Toyota truck at his disposal can turn his set of wheels into a low-down, dirty street monster if he gives it a dose of personality and saves up to pay for the services offered at conversion workshops.
However a layman may view the expense splashed about on these modern day chariots of fire, there's no talking sense into a guy or girl who is hell bent on lowrider trucks. It becomes an addiction, fuelled by motoring events across the country where likeminded people gather to share their tales and spur each other on to motorhead greatness. You can keep your ordinary sports trucks; lowrider trucks are the only way to go. These folk make videos of the transformation of their vehicles into superstars, the way others might capture baby's first steps. They drool over the features they see in other trucks, the way a chocoholic froths at the mouth at the mention of the word Hershey's. But all the time, money and effort spent on tweaking, polishing and revving is worth any price just to drive along a boulevard and have a couple of guys stick their heads out their car window, shake their fists and yelling.