I believe it originated as the "Cali lean" years ago when people out west tried to emulate the pre-runner/desert racing Baja trucks. It hit huge in the mid-atlantic NC/SC/VA beach/FL and it was called "Carolina Squat" ever since

 

100% because I like the way it looks. Just like I 100% hate chrome, but I'm happy for anyone to have it bumper to bumper if they like. To each their own in this beautiful land.

 

Everything is personal taste. Why would anyone lift a SD truck and use 36 inch wheels with 38 inch tires?? Because they can, want to be different.

 

Some people on this forum get mad when someone can afford a Platinum truck because all they really need is roll up windows….blah blah blah

I say everyone should buy what they want and then do with it whatever they want. It’s more interesting that way instead of all of us driving white body XL fleet trucks with 33” oem tires.

if you want to “Carolina squat” your super duty have at it. Even though I won’t do it to mine I don’t mind anyone making the truck theirs and fitting their personal taste.

Ive always liked making changes to my vehicles since I was a teenager. Add my personality to the truck, if you will.

My current truck is a bone stock ‘21 Lariat with the sport/blackout package and while I love the way this thing looks I’m planning on a 2 level with 1.5” higher rear blocks. So really I’m only removing about .5” of rake from what came factory. But I want a bit more ride height so when it’s tire time I can go a bit bigger….and it’ll look great and still perform within the limits of what I need it to do.

Im not going to go crazy with it but a sublet ride height and tire size increase is simply what I want to do. For those that can’t afford to modify/don’t want to modify/can’t modify because they push their trucks to the limit even before reducing any of its capability…..I respect that and don’t really have any strong feelings about it because choices are what make the world go ‘round.

Those who get mad about other people’s vehicle mods make me laugh. They’re the same ones who flip out over that Wistlin Diesel guy on YouTube lol.

 

Love Whistlin' Diesel

 

I also go to paper country in Maine every winter and often run all 4 with v-bars which are too tight in the front with stock clearance.

 

If we expect a lot of snow/ice we take my buddies truck, he has chains for all 4 of his tires. He has a Ram with no lift, but plenty of room.

 

Im leveled mainly for the looks, i absolutely HATE rake on a truck. I dont tow enough to not enjoy the look of the truck. Also with the level i did, i gained wheel travel and upgraded shocks for a better ride.

 

I think leveling tow rigs is stupid. Trucks should really always have a rake. But I guess lots of people actually don't put loads in their truck beds or tow trailers. If I do any mods to a truck its usually to just go up 1 tire size and replace the factory so called A/T tires. I prefer a more aggressive A/T tire because our Ranch is on sandy soil.

 

100% for LOOKS. So yer so called truck LOOKS like the old dawg when she squats to pee! Folks that use their trucks for truck stuff generally leave them as factory. But, their $$$$$$$$$$ so they can do what ever the fad may be. Hell at one time the fad was to have your go fast car jacked up un the back with big meats for rear tires. At one time the fad was to lower the rear on cars and puit a big azz tail draggin’ continental kit on it.
I.E. While they think they are making something “their own” they make it look just like all the rest of the sheeple. They think they are being different while doing the same thing the rest of the herd does.
Spending money they don’t have for something they don’t need to impress people they don’t know

 

You speak a lot about people you don't know. Sounds like someone is jealous of people who do have money to do things to their property to make it look how they want.

 

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I may not know the individual, but have just a tad bit of insight into human nature. My typing skills and usage of the english language may not be the best, but maybe you want to actually read and understand what I posted. I watch people thinking they are doing something different than everyone else, while doing the same thing. Even owning a truck is just a fad and is in style now. 50 or 60 years ago, all the cool kids had cool cars. Anyone that was anyone would not want to be caught cruising the street in a truck, it just was not cool.

And as stated, it is their $$$$$$$$ so they can do whatever they want. The OP asked what purpose is leveling a truck, so tell us what purpose besides looks.

 

Air shocks, traction bars, 60 series rear tires, cragar ss wheels, Pioneer supertuner with jensen triax speakers,
CB radio, feet shaped pedals, Etc etc etc.....COOL Man!

Leveling kit.

 

OK. That's it. I'm gonna bring this back in style!

 

I can think of a couple reasons besides looks.

Allows for a tire size upgrade (ground clearance and better ability off pavement)

if you do a decent level kit with upgraded shocks you’re ride will improve (factory is insanely bad on anything but a perfectly paved road)

can increase suspension travel for more off pavement compliance (again, at least on my 21 the suspension travel is non existent and you can tell over a bump of any size)

there’s reasons to level and there’s also a solution to achieve the better off pavement ride while keeping the trucks ability towing/hauling with airbags.

we’re not talking about a 12” lift and 40+” tires that kill the capabilities of a truck. But whether you believe it or not there are level kit options out there that improve the offroad ride and keep the towing capabilities…..all the while looking much better than your truck to boot lol.