My first thought at this year’s 2025 SEMA show, “Where are all the Tesla cyber trucks?” The last couple of years you could hardly walk the exhibit hall aisles or outside displays without seeing dozens of cyber trucks. Instead, this year’s show replaced most of the cyber trucks with amazingly tall and beautifully crafted “lifted” pickup trucks — fitted with large wheels. Although the building objective for this type of vehicle is off-road and rugged terrain use, most of the displayed vehicles will probably not see anything other than a paved surface. Thus, they are commonly called “Pavement Princesses”.
While the genera of lifted trucks is thought to have started in Florida, it has spread to many areas such as the Carolinas, the southwest and others. In addition, it has spawned new (to me) vocabulary such as Takuacha, Momalona, Squatted Truck, Prerunner/Baja Stance, Stanced Truck, Bubba Truck and Cen-Cal Truck. Suspension lift kits raise the entire truck, including frame, body and running gear away from the axles. In contrast, a body lift is for appearance and tire fit. It does not provide maximum “high-rise” effect. Originally, Silverados, F150’s and GMC Sierras were popular models for high-rise modifications. However, several vehicle and secondary equipment manufacturers now participate and have expanded this marketplace.
David Geeting, photo-journalist, 10:00 am, November 18, 2025