How to Mount Longboard Trucks: Step-by-Step Installation

Mounting longboard trucks requires matching three things: your deck’s mounting holes to the truck’s baseplate pattern, choosing the correct truck orientation (kingpin in or out), and using the right hardware and sequence for a top-mount or drop-through setup.

That match-up between deck and truck is where most first-timers stall; see our guide on how to install trucks for a full walkthrough. The hole patterns are standardized but not universal, and getting the kingpin facing the wrong way for your truck type changes the entire ride feel before you even push off. A key part of the process is knowing how to mount longboard trucks correctly.

What follows: the exact hole dimensions you’re matching, the definitive rule for which way your kingpin faces, and the disassembly trick that makes the how to mount longboard trucks process straightforward. By the end, you’ll know how to secure any truck to any deck.

Key Takeaways

• Match the hole patterns: Decks and trucks use “Old School” (2.5″ x 1.625″) or “New School” (2.125″ x 1.625″) patterns; double-check compatibility before you buy.
• Kingpin direction is fixed: Standard Kingpin (SKP) trucks face inward; Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks face outward for correct performance.
• Disassemble for drop-through: You must take the truck apart to feed the baseplate through the deck; the reassembly order is baseplate, washer, bushing, hanger, bushing, washer, kingpin nut.
• Tighten the kingpin nut until play is gone: Leave one or two threads visible on the bolt; overtightening flattens the bushings and kills responsiveness.
• Choose truck width by deck width: A 150mm truck fits decks 8.5 inches or narrower; go to 180mm for anything wider.

The Tools and Hardware You’ll Need

You don’t need a workshop. A skate tool is ideal, but a 13mm wrench or socket will handle the truck nuts, and a Phillips-head screwdriver covers the deck hardware. Have your hardware laid out before you start: for a complete board, you need 8 screws, 8 nuts, 8 axle washers, and 4 lock nuts (our complete assembly guide covers all parts). That’s enough for two trucks. If you’re missing anything, a standard skateboard hardware kit from any shop has it all.

The 13mm size for truck nuts is typically required when you learn how to mount longboard trucks. A T-tool or a dedicated socket makes this foolproof.

Technical Snapshot: Longboard truck mounting involves securing a baseplate to the deck using a specific hole pattern (“Old School”: 2.5″ lengthwise x 1.625″ widthwise; “New School”: 2.125″ lengthwise x 1.625″ widthwise). Compatibility is determined by matching these patterns between deck and truck. The kingpin orientation (facing inward for Standard Kingpin/SKP trucks, outward for Reverse Kingpin/RKP trucks) dictates truck performance and is critical for correct assembly.

Understanding Deck and Truck Compatibility

This is the foundation. You can’t mount a truck if the holes don’t line up. Deck and truck manufacturers use two main standards, nicknamed “Old School” and “New School.”

The “Old School” pattern spaces the mounting holes 2.5 inches apart lengthwise and 1.625 inches apart widthwise. The “New School” pattern uses 2.125 inches lengthwise and the same 1.625 inches widthwise. Many modern decks and trucks are “double-drilled,” meaning they have both sets of holes for universal compatibility. Always check the product specs or physically measure before assuming a match.

If the patterns don’t align, all is not lost. As noted by Riding Boards, you can drill new holes using two existing bolts as a guide. Mount two bolts through holes that do align, then use the empty baseplate holes as a template to mark where to drill on the deck. It’s a mod, but it works.

Truck Width: Matching Your Deck

A truck that’s too narrow or too wide looks wrong and affects how you turn. The rule is simple. For a deck that’s 8.5 inches or narrower, a 150mm truck is the right fit. For a wider deck, step up to a 180mm truck. This isn’t just about aesthetics; a truck that’s roughly the same width as your deck provides the intended turning geometry and minimizes the risk of stepping on the wheels.

Truck Orientation: Which Way Does the Kingpin Face?

This is the most common point of confusion, and sources disagree on the finer points. Here is the explanation. The rule depends entirely on whether you have Standard Kingpin (SKP) or Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks; our page on correct truck orientation has the full details.

Standard Kingpin (SKP) trucks should be mounted with the kingpin and bushings facing inward, toward the center of the deck. This is the classic skateboard orientation.

Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks should be mounted with the kingpin and bushings facing outward, toward the tip and tail of the deck. This is the default for most longboard cruising and carving setups.

The disagreement arises with drop-through mounts. The Decathlon guide states the kingpin should point outwards for drop-through, which aligns with the RKP rule. However, if you have RKP trucks and want a lower, more stable ride (often for downhill), you can “flip” them so the kingpin faces the same direction as an SKP truck. This lowers the board’s center of gravity but reduces responsiveness. So the definitive answer for initial mounting is: follow the SKP-in/RKP-out rule.

Truck Type	Default Kingpin Direction	Common Use Case	Effect of Flipping (RKP only)
Standard Kingpin (SKP)	Inward (facing center)	Street skateboarding, technical tricks	Not applicable
Reverse Kingpin (RKP)	Outward (facing ends)	Longboard cruising, carving	Lowers board, increases stability, reduces turn responsiveness

Step-by-Step: Top-Mount Truck Installation

Top-mounting is the simpler method, where the truck baseplate bolts directly to the underside of the deck.

Place all eight screws into the holes from the top of the deck. Flip the board over so it’s bottom-side up. Slide your trucks onto the screws, aligning the baseplate holes.

Remember the orientation rule from the previous section. Once the trucks are loosely seated, hand-tighten the nuts onto the screws. Don’t reach for the wrench yet.

The Crisscross Tightening Sequence

Now, grab your wrench and socket or skate tool. Tighten the nuts in a crisscross pattern, like tightening a car tire. Go to one nut, give it a half-turn, then move to the nut diagonally opposite. Repeat this pattern, alternating sides, until all nuts are firmly snug. This ensures even pressure and prevents warping the baseplate or stripping the hardware.

Step-by-Step: Drop-Through Truck Installation

Drop-through mounting feeds the truck baseplate through a hole cut in the deck, lowering your stance for stability. The Decathlon guide states this is essential for freeride and downhill to avoid speed wobbles, while other sources note stability can also be increased by flipping RKP trucks. The key difference is you must disassemble the truck first; the process is similar to taking trucks off for maintenance.

Start by removing the kingpin nut, the top washer, and the roadside bushing. Slide the hanger off the kingpin, then remove the boardside bushing and its washer. Keep these parts in order. You’re left with just the baseplate.

Feed the baseplate through the drop-through hole from the top of the deck. The kingpin should now be pointing downward. From underneath, follow the reassembly order specified by Decathlon: slide the boardside washer onto the kingpin, then the boardside bushing, then the hanger (making sure the pivot cup seats), then the roadside bushing, roadside washer, and finally the kingpin nut.

Where this goes sideways: Reassembling the hanger before the baseplate is secured. If you try to put the whole truck together off the deck and then force it through the hole, you’ll fight the bushings and likely damage them. The baseplate goes through the deck first, every time.

Setting Kingpin Tightness

With the truck reassembled on the deck, you need to set the kingpin nut tightness. The goal is to eliminate any vertical play in the hanger without overtightening. The Decathlon guide says to leave one or two threads of the bolt free. A Reddit discussion adds a more universal metric: tighten until you can’t rotate the washer by hand, then maybe a quarter-turn more.

Wheelbase Adjustment and Advanced Placement

Some decks have 6 or 8 mounting holes, offering multiple positions for your trucks. This isn’t just for compatibility—it’s a tuning tool. Moving your trucks closer together shortens the wheelbase, making the board more nimble and quicker to turn. Moving them farther apart lengthens the wheelbase, increasing stability at speed.

This is how you dial in the board’s feel to match your style without buying new parts.

Troubleshooting Common Mounting Mistakes

Even with the right steps, little things can go wrong. Here’s what to watch for.

How to choose and adjust bushings

The bushings are the urethane parts that fit around your truck’s kingpin. Their tightness and shape determine how your board turns and feels. The kingpin nut adjusts this tightness. Tighten it just enough to remove any wobble in the hanger, but leave a thread or two of the bolt exposed. Overtightening will make the board feel stiff and unresponsive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which way should longboard trucks face?

Standard Kingpin (SKP) trucks face inward, with the kingpin pointing toward the board’s center. Reverse Kingpin (RKP) trucks face outward, with the kingpin pointing toward the nose and tail. Always default to this orientation unless you’re deliberately flipping RKP trucks for a lower, more stable setup.

Can I use any trucks on my drop-through deck?

Mostly, yes. Any truck with a baseplate that matches your deck’s hole pattern can be mounted drop-through. Always check the truck’s specifications if you’re unsure.

How tight should the kingpin nut be?

Tighten the kingpin nut just enough to remove all vertical play in the hanger. A common guideline is to leave one or two threads of the bolt visible. Overtightening flattens the bushings, making the truck feel stiff and unresponsive.

What if my truck holes don’t line up with my deck?

First, check if your deck or truck is double-drilled for the other pattern. If not, you can carefully drill new holes in the deck using the truck’s baseplate as a template, as described in the Riding Boards guide.

Do I need thread locker for my hardware?

The Bottom Line

Mounting trucks is less about strength and more about precision. Match the patterns, follow the inward/outward rule for your kingpin, and take the extra minute to disassemble for a drop-through. The most important step happens after you think you’re done: the test ride. A properly mounted truck should feel like an extension of the deck, not a separate component fighting against it.