How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard in 2023 | Easy Steps to Follow

If you want a better performance from your skateboard, it is necessary to put the trucks on your skateboard perfectly. Putting trucks on skateboards is necessary not only for showing cool tricks but also for safety purposes as well.

Trucks facilitate the skateboard a balanced, safe and comfortable ride. In this article, you will be able to learn the procedure of ‘How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard’ by following some simple steps.

Parts Of A Skate Truck

And these are the following parts you will find on a skateboard truck –

• Axle
• Hanger
• Pivot Cup
• Kingpin
• Cone Bushings
• Bottom Washer
• Curved Washer
• Base Plate

Equipment Required For Assembling Trucks On A Skateboard

You will need below set of equipment to set-up trucks on a skateboard:

• T-tool
• Allen key
• Adjustable Wrench
• Bearing presser
• Phillips head screwdriver

Functions of The Equipment That Are Used To Set-Up Skateboard Trucks

Knowing the functions of the equipment will help you to mount the trucks on a skateboard properly. Here the functions of each equipment is described below:

Name of the Equipment	Functions
T-tool	To fasten the larger nuts with the bolts; You can also use a socket wrench as an alternative
Allen Key	To tighten the smaller nuts and bolts while attaching the trucks on the deck
Wrench	To pull-up the grip tapes from the deck
Bearing Presser	To set the bearing slides and the spacer into the wheel
Screwdriver	To punch the grip tape for clearing the hole on the deck so that the smaller bolts find a way through. You can also use a power drill as an alternative

Things To Consider Before Putting Trucks On A Skateboard

Here are some important factors to consider before you put trucks on a skateboard –

Selecting The Right Sizes Of Skateboard Trucks Width For Your Skateboard Deck

Skateboards of different sizes are available in the market. You need to choose the right truck size.

Length of the Truck Axle	Skateboard Deck Size (Width)
6″ to 7.25″	6.5″ to 7.25″
7.5″	7.25 to 7.5″
7.75″	7.5” to 8″
8.0″	8” to 8.5″
8.5″	8.5” to 9″
9.0″	9” to 10”
10.0″	10” and above

Height Of The Trucks

High and low truck designations describe the distance between the truck’s base plate and its hanger. This affects your board’s ride height and might be considered when selecting wheel size.

• Low Trucks – up to 53 mm high
• Mid Tucks – up to 56 mm high
• High Trucks – more than 56 mm

Width Of The Trucks

The hanger and the axle lengths are measurable truck components. When you measure the axle from bolt to bolt, you get the total length of the axle. The ideal width of the trucks is: 5 ~ 6 inches.

Material Of The Trucks

Aluminum trucks with steel axles are mostly available. Some materials, such as composites, come in both solid and hollow forms. These are some of the common materials for trucks –

• Steel
• Aluminum
• Titanium
• Magnesium

Step By Step Guide of How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard

Putting trucks on a skateboard is easy with our step-by-step guide. Here are the steps to follow –

Step 1: Preparing To Accomplish The Task:

Firstly, before starting to attach the trucks on a skateboard, you need to manage enough space to keep all the skateboard tools and parts.

Step 2: Cleaning Up The Skate Deck:

You need to clean both sides of the deck surface before stating the procedure of installing the trucks. Pull up the grip tapes with a wrench and clean the holes with a sharp edged tool or a screwdriver. Ensure that the holes are large enough for the bolts to pass through.

Step 3: Gathering Components And Tools:

If you have not bought the fully assembled trucks then you need to buy all the hardware and set-up the trucks. To assemble all the components of a truck, you will need a T-tool/Skate tool and Allen key.

Step 4: Placing Pivot Cup On The Base Plate:

In the base plate, there are two large holes for attaching the hanger and four smaller holes for fastening it to the deck. You have to identify one of the larger holes that can easily house the pivot cup. Place the pivot cup inside the hole.

Step 5: Setting The Hanger On The Base Plate:

Inlay the narrow part at the middle of the hanger into the pivot cup.

Step 6: Inserting The Kingpin Bolt:

Flip the hanger upside down and insert the kingpin through the second large hole in the base plate in such a way that it will pass through the hanger hole. Note that you should not fasten the kingpin too tight.

Step 7: Placing The Bushings Onto The Kingpin:

It’s time to slide the skateboard bushing onto the kingpin. Place the bottom washer, enter the top bushing, enter the bottom bushing and then place the curved washer respectively.

The skateboard bushing should be placed in such a way as the bottom bushing will remain underneath the hanger hole and the top skate bushing will be on the top of the hanger hole.

Step 8: Tightening The Kingpin Nut:

The kingpin nut is placed on the kingpin immediately after placing the curved washer. After that you need to use a T-tool and Allen key to tighten the nut neither too tight nor too loose. Over-tightening may damage the treads of the bolts.

Step 9: Installing Wheels:

You can install the wheels before fastening the truck to the skateboard deck though it is not that much recommended as it requires additional tools. If you do so, the following steps are to be followed for the entire wheel setup.

1. Take a bearing press. Pull the lever up to free the shaft.
2. Pull up the shaft.
3. Slide a bearing, the wheel, a spacer and then another bearing onto the shaft in a row.
4. Push down the shaft, pull the lever in for inserting the skateboard bearing slides into wheels.
5. Prepare four wheels this way.
6. Now, respectively slide a speed washer/speed ring, a wheel and another speed washer/speed ring onto each axle.
7. Finally, fasten the above arrangement by turning a axle nut with the help of T-tool.

Now, your truck is completely set up. You have to prepare two trucks following the above steps.

Step 10: Placing The Truck To The Deck:

After setting up your trucks, you will start attaching it with your deck. The deck has two ends having four small holes each. Take a truck and keep it on the deck as the four holes of the baseplate are placed exactly on the four holes of the deck.

 You must ensure that the kingpin sides of the two trucks are placed face-to-face so that the wheels are faced to the outward directions.

Step 11: Fastening The Truck To The Deck:

Inset truck bolts as they go through the deck holes and then the baseplate holes. After that, fasten the nuts using T-tool. You can also use riser pads in between the deck and truck base plate to increase the height.

For more information about learning ‘How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard’ and visual demonstration you can visit:

Some Useful Hacks of How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard

• By keeping it clean on a regular basis, you may extend the life of your skateboard and avoid having to replace parts as often.
• If you want to feel more confidence in your purchase of hardware or trucks for your skateboard, you should consult with the staff at the skateboard shop.
• Keep your trucks running smoothly by greasing the appropriate areas. That manner, your skateboard will provide you with reliable transportation.

FAQ on ‘How to Put Trucks on a Skateboard’