It's not really about the truck.
Today it's huge wheels / tiny tires, or "stancing" / stretching, etc. For the truck guys, huge lifts, ugly wheels, rolling coal (which is not en vogue with the entire truck audience... I find it obnoxious)
00's it was neons, stereos, lambo doors
90's loud exhausts, bigs and littles, lowered to the ground, mini trucks and layin frame
80's pro street, neon paint, graphics
70's stinkbug stance, airbrushing
60's Cragar's and air shocks
50's Lake pipes, Hollywoods, flame shooters, chopped tops
40's Gow jobs, no fenders
I'm sure if people could modify their horses and wagons to get more attention they would have. Most of the above have no functional benefit (and can even be a detraction)
Bottom line, there will always be a segment of people who are attracted to automobiles for good or bad, want attention, for good or bad, and will do obnoxious things to get it (like rolling coal). I just chalk it up to one of those things that some people (some!) grow out of.