Longboard Truck Placement: Everything You Need To Know!

Longboard trucks are the parts of your longboard that allow you to turn and lean as you skate down the street. Without them, you’d just be using your deck as a really long skateboard! Installing them correctly will help you turn more smoothly and easily.

So learning how to put on longboard trucks is an integral part of learning how to ride your board properly.

Installing longboard trucks can seem tricky at first, but it’s actually not too hard once you know how to do it.

Whether you’re replacing old ones or just getting your board ready to ride, check out these five easy steps to installing longboard trucks in no time!

Table of Contents

What you’ll need?(How to Put On Longboard Trucks)

As far as installing truck hex-screws is concerned, you don’t need a lot of special tools, which is great!

You will be needed following things:

A skate tool – This is the most important tool for setting up your trucks! It’s basically a tool with a little bit of everything: a skate blade, a screwdriver, some pliers, and more. You’ll use this to tighten your trucks, so make sure to buy one designed specifically for longboard trucks.

A ruler or measuring tape – You’ll need to make sure that your bushings are installed at the correct length, so a measuring tool will help you out!

A skate wrench – If you have quick-release wheels, you’ll need a skate wrench to tighten the hex screws correctly.

Step 1: Check Your Trucks

Before you do anything else, make sure that your trucks are actually the right size! Pretty much every skateboard and longboard has different-sized trucks, so it’s important to get the right kind.

If you don’t know what kind of trucks your board has, take a look at the underside of your board.
The bottom of your truck should have a sticker on it telling you what the size of your truck is.

If you don’t see a sticker, you can also measure your trucks: the center of each hex screw should be about 1 inch away from the edge of the truck.

Step 2: Set the Bushings

Before you start installing skateboard trucks or longboard trucks, you’ll need to set the bushings. If they’re not set correctly, they can throw off the whole positioning of your trucks, which can be dangerous and cause you to skate awkwardly.

In order to determine how far apart the mounting holes are from the wheel edges, you will need to measure the distance between each edge. Then, add about 1/8 inch to that, and that’s the length you want the bushings to be.

Step 3: Tighten the Hex-Screw on the Bottom of Each Truck

The next step is to tighten the hex screw on the bottom of each truck. You’ll want to do this one at a time and keep the wheels off the ground, so you don’t scratch them!

Put your skate tool on the hex screw and tighten it all the way.
Now, using your skate tool again, tighten it a few more times.

Make sure not to over-tighten your hex screws! They should be snug but not too tight.

Step 4: Tighten the Top Hex Screw and Shims

Now, you’ll want to tighten the top hex screw and the “shims,” or washers, on the top of your trucks.

Put your skate tool on the hex screw and tighten it all the way.
Now, using your skate tool again, tighten it a few more times.
Next, put your skate tool on the hex screws on either side of the top hex screw, and tighten them as well.

Step 5: Test out Your New Trucks!

Now, you’re ready to test out your new trucks! Put your wheels back on, and you should notice that you can turn a lot easier. If it feels too hard or too easy, you might have your bushings set at the wrong length. Once you’ve got your trucks set up, you’re ready to go skate!

Make sure to skate carefully and safely at first until you’ve got the feel of your new set-up down. After that, you’re free to start landing tricks and exploring new paths around your town!

Tips and Tricks to Install Longboard Truck Placement

Installing longboard trucks is a very straightforward process. It is important, however, that you keep a few things in mind when you install your longboard truck.

First off, make sure you have the right parts. You will need longboard trucks to attach your longboard wheels to your board. There are different types of longboard trucks, depending on the kind of wheel you use.

For example, some people use longboard trucks with one wheel mounted on one side, and the other wheel mounted on the other side. Others use two-wheeled longboard trucks that attach two wheels together at once.

If you are not sure which type of truck you should use, it’s best to get a second opinion from someone who knows what they’re doing before buying anything online. Another thing to keep in mind is how tight the fit needs to be between your board and truck.

The tighter the fit, the better it will stay on your board. If it’s too loose, then your truck may come off when you ride over bumpy terrain or if you run into something unexpected.

As a general rule of thumb, find a tight fit that keeps the axle of your truck firmly attached to the axle of your deck while making sure that all four corners of each wheel are securely fastened in place.

FAQS

Absolutely yes, if you want to achieve success on a longboard skateboard, you have to choose the right skateboard trucks as they will give you the ability to turn as well as keep your wheels firmly anchored to your board whenever you turn the board.

There is usually a reversed kingpin on a longboard truck (the bolt which pivots the hanger). This means that the kingpin faces outwards on the longboard truck. Almost all short board kingpin trucks have screws pointing inside their bodies in order to prevent grinds and other hazards from occurring.

Yes, having tighter trucks means that you won’t have to worry about the board veering to one side when you’re doing a kick flip, for example. If you notice your trucks are loose when you are performing flip tricks, tighten them as soon as possible.

In general, the looser the trucks are, the easier it is for a beginner to turn the board. Therefore, riding and staying on the board is much easier. Experienced riders will appreciate tight trucks for their stability and ability to perform sharper turns.

If your wheels still spin slowly after loosening your axle nuts, it may be necessary to clean and lubricate your bearings. Longboards can slow down significantly if you ride through wet sidewalks, mud, leaves, etc., over time, causing friction and accumulating dirt in your bearings.

Final Words

Longboard trucks are a key part of your board, so it’s important to install them correctly. Follow these steps, and you’ll be ready to skate in no time! Once you get the hang of putting your trucks on, it’ll only take a few minutes, and you’ll be ready to hit the road.

Put on your best skating shoes, throw on a helmet and a pair of gloves, and get ready to put your new skills to the test!

Longboard Truck Placement