In Los Santos, personalizing a lowrider at Benny’s Original Motor Works is a rite of passage, blending hydraulic mastery with vibrant custom paint jobs. If you’re looking for a guide on how to customise your car lowrider in gta 5, you’ve come to the right place. This process is one of the most detailed in the entire game, offering an incredible level of control over your vehicle’s look and performance.
It can seem a bit overwhelming at first. With so many options, from hydraulics to custom wheels, knowing where to start is key. This guide will walk you through every step, from acquiring the right car to mastering the advanced customization menu.
We’ll cover the costs, the best vehicles to use, and the exact steps to make your lowrider truly unique. Let’s get started on turning your ordinary car into a bouncing, gleaming symbol of Los Santos street culture.
How To Customise Your Car Lowrider In Gta 5
The core of lowrider customization happens at one specific location: Benny’s Original Motor Works. This is not a regular Los Santos Customs. You can find Benny’s in the Strawberry area, near the Davis Quartz quarry. It’s marked on your map with a spanner icon that has a star in the center.
Before you can do anything, you need a car that Benny can work on. Not every vehicle is eligible. You must own one of the specific lowrider-ready vehicles. The most common starting points are the Vapid Chino, Declasse Moonbeam, or the Albany Primo. You can often find these cars driving around South Los Santos.
Once you have the car, drive it into Benny’s garage. A prompt will appear asking if you want to “Convert” the vehicle. This is the essential first step. The conversion cost is significant, usually around $200,000 to $500,000 GTA dollars, but it unlocks the full lowrider customization menu.
After the conversion, your car is ready for the real magic. Approach the vehicle inside Benny’s and select “Modify” to enter the specialized menu. This is where you’ll spend most of your time and money.
Essential First Steps At Benny’s Garage
When you first enter the modification menu, take a moment to familarize yourself with the layout. The categories are more extensive than a regular shop. You’ll want to approach your build with a plan, as costs can escalate quickly.
Start with the foundational upgrades. These improve your car’s performance and are a good investment regardless of the visual style you choose later.
- Engine Upgrades: Always max this out first for better speed and acceleration.
- Transmission: The race transmission is recommended for smoother gear shifts.
- Brakes: Upgraded brakes are crucial for controlling a powerful lowrider.
- Armor: Consider adding some armor to protect your investment during missions or freemode.
With the performance parts handled, you can focus on the aesthetic and functional customizations that define a lowrider. The order you do things in is flexible, but many players prefer to work from the ground up.
Mastering Hydraulic Systems And Suspension
This is the heart of lowrider culture in GTA 5. The hydraulic system allows you to bounce your car, tilt it on three wheels, and “dance.” In the suspension menu, you will find the “Hydraulics” option. You must purchase this to get any bounce functionality.
There are usually several hydraulic kits available. The most expensive kit typically offers the best range of motion and the fastest bounce speed. Once installed, you control the hydraulics with your controller or keyboard.
On a controller, you use the right stick. Pushing it in different directions makes the corresponding corner of the car jump. Quick flicks make it bounce, while holding the stick will raise or lower that corner. On PC, the default keys are the arrow keys for individual corners and the numpad for presets.
Practice using the hydraulics in a safe space. Mastering the controls lets you perform impressive sequences and is essential for winning lowrider challenges.
Choosing The Right Hydraulic Kit
Benny’s offers a few levels of hydraulics. The basic kit gets the job done, but the advanced kits, like the “Street” or “Competition” hydraulics, provide more responsive controls and higher jumps. If you plan to enter lowrider meets or competitions, investing in the best hydraulics is worth it.
Selecting Paint Jobs And Liveries
The paint is where your personality shines. Benny’s offers exclusive paint categories you won’t find elsewhere, like “Classic Colors” with unique finishes and “Metallic” paints that look exceptional on lowriders.
For a truly custom look, explore the “Crew Color” option. This allows you to apply your active Social Club crew’s color to the car. You can also set a custom RGB color through the Social Club website for infinite possibilities.
Liveries are the decals and graphic designs that cover parts of your car. Lowriders have some of the most intricate livery options in GTA Online. From classic flame designs to elaborate murals and patterns, you can spend a long time browsing here. Remember, some liveries are locked until you reach a certain Reputation Level (RP).
A popular combo is a clean, shiny metallic base coat with a bold livery. Don’t forget the “Pearlescent” option, which adds a shimmering color effect over your base coat. Try adding a pearlescent over a matte paint for a suede-like finish.
Custom Wheels, Trim, And Interior
Wheels are a major statement. Under the “Wheels” menu, select “Benny’s Originals.” This section contains the iconic wire wheels, solid disc wheels, and other styles perfect for lowriders. You can change the wheel color separately from the car’s main paint.
Whitewall tires are a classic lowrider look. You can adjust the tire smoke color here too, adding another layer of customization for when you burn out.
The “Trim” section covers interior colors, dashboard designs, and dials. You can match your interior to your exterior paint or create a contrasting scheme. Plush interiors, custom steering wheels, and ornate dashboards are all available.
Don’t overlook the “Plate” option. You can set a custom vanity plate if you own an apartment garage with a mod shop. This adds a final personal touch.
Performance Vs. Style: Finding The Balance
A common question is whether heavy customization affects performance. Visual mods like hydraulics, skirts, and bumpers do not slow your car down. However, the lowrider suspension is naturally very low, which can cause scraping and handling issues on bumpy roads.
The performance upgrades you install (engine, transmission, etc.) directly counter any negative handling traits. A fully upgraded lowrider can be surprisingly quick and agile, despite its heavy focus on style. Just be mindful of steep driveways and curbs.
Your budget will also dictate your balance. A full cosmetic and performance build can easily cost over $1,000,000 GTA dollars. Prioritize what matters most to you first, you can always come back later to add more items as you earn more money.
Completing Your Build And Showing It Off
Once you’ve exhausted the menus and are happy with your creation, it’s time to save it. Simply exit Benny’s garage. Your car will be automatically stored in the garage you selected it from. If you drove it in off the street, it will be delivered to a garage of your choice.
To show off your lowrider, you have several options. You can drive it in Freemode, join car meets organized by other players, or participate in specific Rockstar-created Lowrider Missions and Challenges. These often test your hydraulic control and style.
Remember to take out car insurance on your lowrider at Los Santos Customs if you haven’t already. This protects your investment if it gets destroyed. The insurance cost is based on the total value of the car and its modifications, so it won’t be cheap, but it’s essential.
Advanced Customization Tips And Tricks
Now that you know the basics, here are some advanced strategies to make your lowrider stand out even more. These tips can help you optimize your spending and achieve specific looks.
Planning Your Build And Budget
Before spending any money, use the “Preview” function extensively. This lets you see how different parts look together without committing. You can plan a whole build, write down the costs, and then save up for it.
Consider creating themed builds. For example, a 1960s classic look with muted paint and wire wheels, or a modern “show car” with wild colors and neon underglow. Having a theme guides your choices and creates a cohesive final product.
Earning money efficiently is key. The most profitable activities in GTA Online, like Heists, Casino Missions, or Agency contracts, will fund your lowrider hobby much faster than random jobs. Set a car as your financial goal to stay motivated.
Unlocking Exclusive Items With Reputation
Some cosmetic items, like certain liveries or trim colors, are locked behind your Reputation Level (RP). You gain RP by playing the game normally—completing jobs, races, and missions. There’s no fast track, but focusing on double-RP events is a good way to level up quicker.
Check back at Benny’s periodically as you level up. New items will become available, giving you a reason to revisit and tweak your car. This progression system adds long-term goals to your customization journey.
Using The Vehicle Management Menu
You can request your lowrider through the Interaction Menu (M key on PC, View button on controller). Go to Vehicles > Request Personal Vehicle. This is the safest way to get your car after it’s been stored.
If your car is destroyed, use the Interaction Menu to call Mors Mutual Insurance to make a claim. The vehicle will be returned to your garage, free of charge if you have insurance. Always check it has insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to some common questions about lowrider customization in GTA 5.
What Is The Cheapest Car To Customize As A Lowrider?
The Declasse Voodoo Custom is often the most affordable base car to find and the conversion cost at Benny’s is usually on the lower end compared to other models. You can find it driving around in the sandy shores area or southern Los Santos.
Can You Customize Any Car Into A Lowrider?
No, you cannot. Only specific vehicles are eligible for the full lowrider conversion at Benny’s Original Motor Works. The available cars include the Vapid Chino, Willard Faction, Albany Buccaneer, and a few others. The list is fixed by the game.
How Do You Make Your Lowrider Bounce Higher?
To bounce higher, you need to purchase the best available hydraulic kit from Benny’s. The “Competition” or top-tier hydraulics provide the greatest lift. Then, it’s about technique: quickly flicking the right stick (or tapping arrow keys) in rhythm creates a higher, more controlled bounce.
Where Is Benny’s Original Motor Works?
Benny’s is located in the Strawberry district of Los Santos. It’s on the main road, near the bridge that crosses the canal. Look for the unique spanner-and-star icon on your map. It is not the same as a regular Los Santos Customs shop.
Do Lowrider Mods Affect Racing Performance?
In standard races, lowrider hydraulics are usually disabled. The performance upgrades (engine, turbo, etc.) will help, but the car’s base handling may not be optimal for racing compared to dedicated sports or super cars. Lowriders are built more for show than for pure speed contests.