Semi-trucks are at the core of our economy and as a professional truck driver you spend a lot of time with your vehicle to keep the world moving. Because of this, you might find yourself wanting to make upgrades and personalizations. Our team at White’s International Trucks has put together a list of ways you can upgrade your rig, along with a brief history of truck customization.
Reflecting History
Semi-truck customization is rooted in the history of the industry and interestingly enough, an entire movie genre. In the 1970s, trucker films really took the spotlight in Hollywood when pictures like Convoy, White Line Fever, and Smokey and the Bandit premiered. For the first time, the trucking industry and its people were being highlighted in a mainstream way, which actually brought attention to safety regulations and limitations.
The trucker film genre still has relevance today and many modern customizations reflect this “golden era” of truck driving in the United States. As you begin thinking about your own rig’s upgrades, consider how your options today might actually be honoring a previous decade.
Updating the Interior
You spend the majority of your time in the cab, so it makes sense you’d want to add custom features there first. Adding upgrades and personal touches on the interior will make long days and nights feel a little more comfortable and reflect your home away from home.
If you want it to feel a bit more decorated, some options would be adding custom paneling, seat covers, and dashboard upgrades. Some of these features, like cushioned seat covers, can also contribute to your overall driving comfort. You can upgrade items that handle the most wear, like your steering wheel and shifter knob, to better suit your driving habits and posture, and add to your aesthetic theme.
When choosing what interior customizations to make, always consider how these upgrades might affect the functionality of your vehicle and if it could cause changes to any safety features.
Changing the Exterior
Once you’ve adjusted the interior to fit your needs, there are also ways to change the exterior to showcase your style. Choose a custom paint color or add a special wrap that features your brand or your values. A popular choice is adding an American flag or an eagle.
Another way to upgrade the look of your truck and also add functionality is with additional lighting. Make sure to check D.O.T. guidelines, but the addition of chicken lights, under-body glow, and bumper lighting are a few great options.
The final exterior upgrade we’ll mention is the addition of chrome plating. This adds a bit of flashiness to your rig and also adds more visibility for other drivers because of how it reflects light.
Choosing to customize your rig can be a big monetary investment, so make sure to set a budget and prioritize what features are most important to you! If you have any questions or would like to discuss customization options, our team at White’s International Trucks would be happy to assist you. We have seven locations throughout North Carolina.
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