SEMA Lifted Truck - a work of art in suspension fabrication!
Everyday driven truck - Performance and suspension upgrades added!
Quite the difference when viewing them, but they are two different builds completely! I would safely say over 90% of our brick and mortar diesel shops work on the 2nd truck. It is being used daily driven for work, deliveries, and hauling.
The SEMA truck is used as a completed work of art for suspension fabrication and wheels/tire combos. Very little performance are done to the SEMA drivetrains! Don't forget the fancy designed wraps that make these trucks look unbelievable.
The daily driven trucks are made for longevity with added performance and HD suspension so the miles can be added on easy without breakage. If you are rebuilding your truck in order to keep it longer would you not ask your mechanic how to make it last longer. Same on performance, why rebuild OEM? That is why it just broke, give me a stronger engine parts, and HD transmission so it will go further.
There is always the drivability of both trucks! Try driving that SEMA truck down our nation's highways and side streets! It would not last long with the current condition of our highways. The daily driven truck will take on any roads, bumps and gravel side roads.
Everyone likes to look at the lifted trucks but for the normal truck driver they are not practical. If you are wanting attention at a shows these SEMA trucks get attention! When judging at one of our truck shows I always rate self build daily trucks that have all areas of improvements. Judging includes performance, interior, outside appearance, suspension, wheels/tires and exhaust with personal touches!
The lifted trucks started about the time the EPA were raiding shops for performance upgrades. At one time only EPA compliant trucks were allowed at SEMA whether they were licensed or not for the street. Many of our performance trucks at events are trailered in just like the trailered in performance cars!
There is a place for both builds in our truck worlds, however most on the road trucks are the daily use kind with added performance and customized accessories. Customizing and personalizing our vehicles have been part of the American car scene since the early 1900s with acceleration after WWII when the fighting boys came home wanting more of everything.
I have customized my old 1996 Dodge Ram 12v and people recognize it all over the country. I have stopped at shops 4 states from my home and people ask me about it the minute I walk in to their shop. Some of the trucks at our shows have been unbelievable builds in which the owner is quite proud of them.
And yes, the OEMs are taking notice of what we are doing to our trucks!
