What Are Mexican Lowrider Trucks Called?

They’re commonly called “trocas,” and when they’re lowered in the lowrider style, you’ll often hear “trocas tumbadas” (slammed trucks). In some circles—especially for compact pickups—the term “minitrucks” is also used. These names reflect a cross‑border culture shared by Mexican and Mexican‑American enthusiasts.

Names You’ll Hear

The following terms are the most common ways people refer to Mexican lowrider trucks, with nuances that depend on region, era, and scene (lowrider vs. minitrucking):

• Troca (plural: trocas) — General slang for a pickup truck; widely used in Mexico and among Mexican‑Americans.
• Troca tumbada — Literally “laid down” or slammed; the go-to phrase for a lowered/lowrider-style truck.
• Troca lowrider — A straightforward mix of Spanish and English to specify the lowrider build.
• Minitruck / minitrucking — Refers to compact pickups (e.g., S‑10, Hardbody, Ranger) customized in a style that overlaps with lowrider and custom scenes.
• Camioneta — Standard Spanish for pickup; may be paired with “bajada” (lowered) or “bajita.”

Usage can vary by city and country; “troca” and “troca tumbada” are widely understood in northern Mexico and border regions, while “minitruck” is common among enthusiasts influenced by the 1980s–1990s custom scene.

How They’re Built and Styled

Lowrider trucks emphasize stance, detail, and craftsmanship. While tastes differ by club and region, these are the hallmark modifications you’ll encounter:

1. Suspension drop — Hydraulics or air suspension (air bags) for adjustable ride height; static drops via spindles, flip kits, C‑notches, and sometimes body drops for extreme lows.
2. Wheels and tires — Period-correct wire wheels or polished alloys; thin whitewalls or low‑profile tires to tuck under fenders.
3. Paint and finish — Candy, pearl, or metal‑flake paint, patterns, murals, pinstriping, leafing, and chrome or engraved trim.
4. Body touches — Shaved handles and emblems, smoothed beds, roll pans, frenched lights, and bed-dancer setups on hydraulic builds.
5. Interiors and audio — Tuck‑and‑roll or velour upholstery, custom steering wheels, elaborate audio installs, and show‑grade detailing.

The exact mix ranges from classic lowrider elegance to 1990s minitruck flair, but the unifying thread is a dramatic, precise stance and meticulous artistry.

Cultural Context

Lowrider culture was shaped by Mexican‑American communities in the U.S. after World War II and crossed into Mexico through family ties, media, and car clubs. Trucks gained prominence alongside cars, especially during the 1980s–1990s minitruck boom. Today, “trocas tumbadas” are visible across northern Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, with social platforms fueling trends. Note the contrast: “troca mamalona” generally refers to lifted, loud builds, while “tumbada” means lowered.

Where You’ll See Them

Border cities and northern Mexican hubs (e.g., Tijuana, Mexicali, Ciudad Juárez, Monterrey) have vibrant scenes, as do U.S. regions with deep roots in lowriding (California, Arizona, Texas, New Mexico). Meets and cruises range from club-organized shows to informal weekend gatherings, and online communities on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube highlight new builds and techniques.

Common Models

Availability, parts support, and nostalgia shape which trucks become lowriders. The models below are frequent foundations for trocas tumbadas on both sides of the border:

• Chevrolet C10/C/K and Silverado (often badged/known as “Cheyenne” in Mexico); S‑10 for compact builds.
• GMC Sierra and Sonoma, sharing platforms with Chevy counterparts.
• Ford F‑100/F‑150 and Ranger, spanning classic to late‑model eras.
• Nissan Hardbody (D21) and older Frontier/NP300 variants prized for minitrucking.
• Toyota Pickup/Hilux and Mazda B‑Series, staples of the classic compact scene.

Older platforms offer style and parts interchangeability, while newer trucks benefit from modern reliability; both paths are active within today’s community.

Language Notes

“Troca” is informal Spanglish widely accepted in conversation; the formal Spanish term is “camioneta” or “pickup.” Descriptors like “tumbada,” “bajada,” or “chaparra” signal a lowered stance. As with all slang, exact meaning can shift by region, but enthusiasts across Mexico and the diaspora readily recognize these terms.

Summary

Mexican lowrider trucks are popularly called “trocas,” with “trocas tumbadas” specifying lowered builds. Depending on size and style, you may also hear “troca lowrider” or “minitruck.” The scene blends Mexican and Mexican‑American traditions, emphasizing stance, paint, and craftsmanship across classic and modern pickups.

What truck do most Mexicans drive?

For many Hispanic populations in the United States and locally, the Chevrolet Silverado is the best-selling full-size pickup truck and has been for 10 years in a row.

What are Mexican trucks called?

Mexican truck names often incorporate Spanish words related to food and culture, or use catchy English puns, such as “El Camion Mexicano,” “Taco Loco Express,” “La Comida Mexicana,” “Churro Chase,” or “Guac\’n\’Roll”. These names can be categorized into classic, creative, or descriptive, focusing on aspects like speed, flavor, or tradition. 
Classic & Spanish Names
These names use Spanish words for a traditional feel. 

• El Camion Mexicano: (The Mexican Truck)
• Taco Loco Express
• La Comida Mexicana
• Sabor on Wheels: (Flavor on Wheels)
• El Fogón Móvil: (The Mobile Hearth)
• Los Sabores Locos: (The Crazy Flavors)

Creative & Punny Names
These are English names that use wordplay or creative combinations. 

• Nacho Average Truck
• Guac\’n\’Roll
• Churro Chase
• The Rolling Burrito
• MexiMunch Mobile
• TacoBoom

Descriptive & Themed Names
These names describe the type of food or the experience the truck offers. 

• Fiesta Fusion
• The Salsa Stop
• Authentic Street Eats
• Flavor Fiesta Truck
• Crispy Carnitas Co.
• MexiStreet Eats

What are the common lowrider trucks?

Old School Cars That Gave Birth to Lowrider Culture

• Chevrolet Impala.
• Mercury Eight.
• Chevrolet Advance Design/C10 Pickups.
• Lincoln Continental.
• Chevrolet Monte Carlo.
• Buick Regal/Oldsmobile Cutlass.
• Chevrolet S-10 Pickup.
• Cadillac Eldorado.

Are lowered trucks a Mexican thing?

Lowrider car culture began in Southern California, in the mid-to-late 1940s, and grew during the post-war prosperity of the 1950s within Mexican-American youth culture.