Old Independent Trucks! Stage 8!

[@mr.hedgehog420]

your literally the only guy on youtube making vids like this. You're very descriptive and clear in your speech I feel like i've gained several IQ points from watching this video. keep it up man!

[@bendegros]

😂 your welcome

[@bendegros]

@Gonz Wouldgo not weird at all. Whatever works best for you!

[@ashton35]

Not special, just the only one doing it. Nailed it

[@Dav2112]

Love the sound of trucks grinding on crusty ledges.

[@bendegros]

Soul food

[@fivehourenergy6159]

I like skating clean ledges with crusty trucks

[@SunshineSlappySmackie]

was loving how the stage 8 sound on footage so loud and heavy! and that fs flip was world class ben!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Justin! They really do sound different.

[@pirateguitarrr]

As an aficionado of currently owning nothing but Stage 8's, I have to confirm that the pop can feel pretty heavy. If you're no longer a teenager, popping an Ollie on a bad day, and without warmup, is basically suicide.

[@bendegros]

😂

[@ambientrealms_]

Do you still only skate stage 8's? I've tried stage 7's but they didn't feel quite as turny as Ace's geometry.

[@CaliBreeeze]

thanks for showing that OG spot! I remember that old green pipe also everyone tagged up! There was a “Cheeks” yah on it I remember and it was what got me into graffiti.. I didn’t even know that was in Canada

[@DiscoStu950]

As mentioned on Instagram, loving your channel, Ben. And recently starting again at 40, I haven’t been this motivated since I saw the skate scene in Police Academy 4 😟... no wait, I mean XGames 👍😆🤩🛹

[@sethnelson2333]

Volume up on the vintage spot! The throwback footy was great, best episode ever.

[@komoonkh]

I think these trucks added a little bit of style points to your skating. After you changed the bushings. Anyone else noticed it? Thanks for those videos, Ben!

[@barryluedtke1384]

Ricky oyola's parts got me shredding the 8.25 with risers and those bullet 60 mill with the holes in them! Before Milwaukee WI had parks. Awesome Colin clips!!! Wish it wasn't 8 degree f and snowing right now. Keep thrashin

[@AdventuresInSkateboarding]

That ledge spot looks amazing.

[@bendegros]

It is. I'm going back!

[@NessaDarps]

Amazingly in-depth as always. Love all the old footy =)

[@sidwellsk8er]

Legit my favorite truck ever, Stg VIII 149/6 Indys. I changed the bushings to soft Doh Dohs and kingpins out to GrindKings and killed it.

[@connormaczee]

In 2009 when I first started skating some guy got mad at his board and left it at the park so me and my buddy took it. Ended up having Indy stage 8s (not sure the size) but thought they were super cool. Rode stage 10s for my first pro board and loved them. Couple pairs of those but when the stage 11 came out I got them but wasn’t a fan. Recently however I was given a hardly used set of stage 9 169 and I have them on a big curb crusher bowl cruiser board and I love the turn on them with bones bushings.

[@paulrevere2928]

Indys w Bones bushings work great. For an even more recessed kingpin beat those crappy Indy king pins out and replace them with Grind King or Dead Bolt inverted king pins. Take the truck completely apart then put kingpin nut back on tightening until nut is flush with very end of king pin then place a block of wood 2x4 on the end of the bolt and pop it with a hammer a few times until king pin bolt comes out of base plate. Not all Independent base plates will hold a king pin lock nut, do some research to discover which ones will. When reassembling do not use truck bushing washers, w Bones bushings they’re not necessary allowing more recessed king pin Allen head and 2 less parts.. Enjoy the best riding, maintenance free, best turning grinding truck with zero kingpin hang ups or breakage. I have been riding that basic setup since 1989 added Bones bushings whenever they came out! Independent Trucks ride best, f-- the rest! Namaste

[@burna803]

One thing that I can say is the difference you felt and didn’t agree on between the stage 10s and the stage 11s is the height of the truck. The stage 10s were 53.5mm tall and the stage 11s are 55mm tall. Also they have totally different geometry

[@jeancampaner5639]

Hi Ben:) thank you for this great video, once more! I wish I could pop half you do whatever trucks I am riding. Your tricks are great and nice to watch. I remember riding gullwings and other heavy wheels, boards in remote times...sometimes I try to explain to the young (specially my elder son) how it was and how was the feeling to the young. I like those times and think we have been lucky as we are privildeged to see how skateboarding goes today. Incredible that you went to this mystic spot (virtual reality) and thank you for these lessons about the history of skateboarding. You are great man!!!

[@burna803]

I remember rocking the stage 8s with 53mm pig wheels back in the days. The only scary part about Indy’s at that time was the kingpins. Mess around and snap one jumping off a curb 😅

[@daKandiman14]

I watch and like every vid, and I just watched 3 ads, one was a long movie trailer. Phenomenal video, ben!

[@bendegros]

Thanks for the support Alex!

[@historyofgoldgold4748]

@@bendegros your videos are boring

[@ayesacc]

history of gold gold then don’t watch them if they’re boring hahaha

[@TheEchelon]

history of gold gold You're probably a kid with a short attention span.

[@beezy785]

That's funny I just watched Mouse the other day and Koston has a couple tricks there. Such a fun looking spot I'm jealous. I'm loving these truck videos super interesting to see the differences. Your truck collection must be out of control haha

[@bendegros]

Yup. I collect old hunks of metal.

[@Lewis-jk9rt]

dude... these videos are phenom oml i cant describe why im addicted to your videos specifically

[@e-money.]

Many hours have been spent watching eastern exposure. Only reason I briefly skated 60mm a while back

[@EazyDoor]

Wow, Ben, with every video your skating just keeps getting more awesome. It's that steady progression that amazes me. I liked that FS Smith 180 out, in particular!

[@bendegros]

Thanks Perry!

[@Premium_Skate_Shop]

I love the back 180 at 1:30 just picked up some 136 stage 8s

[@natek1993]

Haven't seen these in a minute. Awesome work Ben.

[@jessejamesb]

That downed space ship thing looks fun

[@calebwilson6298]

Eastern exposure!!! Underachievers: Eastern exposure #3 was probably my favorite video ever! Nice series your putting together - love seeing the variables being eliminated by using the same deck to test different trucks. Very scientific👍

[@marshalljohn1175]

Both informative and comprehensive. Thank you Ben. Please keep 'em comin' 🙏

[@jeremyyap5795]

You're the best. We all know you're going to get really big really soon but please, Mr. Degros, please DONT CHANGE!

[@jamest4016]

Liked, not even got past the ads yet 😎

[@bendegros]

🙂🙌

[@elusivelogic6704]

Stage VIII’s were my lifeblood in the early 2000’s. I did my best tricks with them and rode them super tight. Not a fan of Stage IX’s but I’ll still watch that video.

[@sidwellsk8er]

Stage VIIII aka worst Indy ever.

[@sidwellsk8er]

Sorry IX.

[@usslongbeachcg9]

it is to say tnteresting to find this video. im riding Stage 11 axles on Stage 8 baseplates. so 8/11's. it actually lowers the truck by just a few mills and is super comfy if your used to or miss low trucks.

[@andrewwillson6362]

Hi again from Sydney Australia, thanks again for the information very appreciated

[@SatelliteSoundLab]

That crazy little half pipe IS way harder to skate than it looks 😂once it beat up me and my friend. Now we stay away from that park, especially in broad daylight. I can still hear it taunting me in my nightmares, sometimes I wake up in a cold sweat with a swollen elbow. Then I hear the whisper through the trees, disappearing into the night, "Vert's not dead... build a mini ramp..."

[@matthewwilson8897]

Dude switch hardflip over that ledge/wall back in the day? Thats f-in siiiick

[@hernandezz4912]

You should try stages 3s as I hear they’re the same as Aces

[@notprochris]

Thanks. Just made me realize I should swap out some of my bushings on my older setups.

[@paulgeorgmusic]

Amazing how much you have progressed since I started watching you a couple of years ago! Your videos are always a tasty treat!

[@joshuakastler7837]

I found a picture at my moms house a couple weeks ago taken in 98-99 and my wheels were huge, like 58 or 60 and I completely forgot about wheels getting really big...I remember hating the way they rode but still rode em anyway.

[@joebloggins]

Late comment but thanks, I now know what my old Indi's are, I have a pair of Stage 8's I got used at Stiffy's Boardshop in Poco in 2002, got them put on an Olive deck, I still have them, but one of the axel's is ground down a bit so they arent really safe to ride.

[@lebowskiunderachiever3591]

I have some older Indys and I have no idea which stage they are . They have the 6 bolt baseplate , look similar to the 8's and I loved them . Only reason I stopped using them was becouse I had to use either a socket or a wrench 🔧 to adjust them . A skate tool will not fit onto the kingpin nut . Nice trucks but frustrated me to no end hahaha

[@fivehourenergy6159]

I was using captions and it made "stage 8s" "stage AIDS" and I almost had a heart attack

[@MrAddison79]

reviewing old gear is so rad! (and no one else is doing it) im sure tons of people are just drooling over those trucks! b t w you rip!

[@bendegros]

Thank you!

[@mostlyhairandbones]

You have the best Skate review in KZbin thumbs up 💪👍👍

[@GDWhiting]

I came here to learn how to do sick drywall patches wtf Ben

[@MrPDTaylor]

1600 views in 2 hours, not too shabby. Probably not as good as Vancouver Carpenter but still good. The Ben DeGros KZbin empire is growing and that makes me happy.

[@zackeryyy]

Old grind kings were always a pain to break in too.

[@kwote]

Fuck yeah! Thanks for skating that classic spot. I’m even more hyped to visit Canada now. Hopefully within the next year.

[@transferz]

Excellent more please!! Big city grinders boys!! That’s my best attempt at LetterKenny

[@michaelgreen6587]

wait wait wait I just started watchin but holy cow that 180 ollie north! 1:30

[@MikaelFlyer]

Inward heel tail slide BITD! Still sick bro!

[@ambientrealms_]

So if you had to choose between these or the 7’s, with proper fitting bushings and the turn/pop at a comfortable level, which ones would you go with?

[@oldmansocool999]

Hello Ben .May I ask you a question ,I have two pair indy truck ,Because one pair the truck kingpin become loose. I don't know why to make it Kingpin been loose. So I buy a new pair indy turck, after year now ,the kingpin loose Again, they are no Nut turn tight can fix! Can I fix than ?or is a indy Problem.

[@MrPDTaylor]

Do a drywall.

[@petepete9831]

Uncle Fred is my favorite drunk uncle

[@loneshark123]

You should do a review on ALMOST decks! Love the vids keep it up!

[@shimes424]

I remember back then that kingpin clearance was garbage. My friend rode indys but I was always on ventures

[@user-sn6my2qt7v]

Am I the only one who prefers the shape of the stage 7's?

[@CaliBreeeze]

Me to haha I’m actually trying to find some on eBay

[@sidwellsk8er]

If you find some Stg V 149,159 hangers and put them on newer 8 baseplates it's essentially the same thing, I've done just that.

[@TheAlfone1]

Hey Ben (and guys), can u give my a quick advice pls? I'm doubting whether skating mellow board with high indies, or venture lows with high concave board. Ideally thunders with medium concave would be nice but mediums tend to be high. What do u think?

[@brennhannon609]

Stage 8's were my favorite!

[@abuhaneefa7422]

Ricky oyola is my fav part from eastern exposure

[@alittlecrinkley232]

I noticed a major difference in the Indy truck design over the years. The stage 11s hangar and axle seems to sit a little more forward towards the pivot cup, giving them a longer wheel base when mounted, almost like Ventures.

[@bendegros]

I agree. They are slightly more forward which is why I like them so much more than 9 or 10

[@alittlecrinkley232]

@@bendegrosFor sure, found it difficult to skate the previous stages which is why I always ended up riding Venture, also a rad truck imo. A mate hooked me up with a set of stage 11 Indys and never looked back. Enjoying the vids

[@jorgeandrescoppiano]

After the bushings change, do they turn more than current thunder 147s?

[@user1138]

1998 does sound about right. I remember getting my first set in 1999 and they were still fairly new at that time. I never liked them as much as the Stage 7's I had before. Stage 8's just didn't turn as good.

[@burna803]

I remember snapping the kingpin on a set while I was sessioning with the homies in the suburbs. Buddy traded me a pair of those clunky Fury’s for them smh.

[@WillieD7]

I bought a pair of 146 Stage 8s at a garage sale hoping for some holy grail type of truck. I did not try new bushings but my initial assessment was that they didn’t turn great AND they felt unstable on center. I thought the latter issue was maybe caused by the conical bottom bushing. Maybe I should try again with new bushings but they did also feel heavy and I wasn’t particularly impressed by the pop or anything else.

[@ambientrealms_]

Did you ever try them with better bushings? Turning improved at all?

[@WillieD7]

I did! Bought some of the red “Soft” Indy barrel bushings and I still felt like the turn was sluggish. I think the newer ones just have better geometry.

[@adamporter1559]

Only recently found your channel and just realized that you're Ted Degros' brother. He was easily one of the dopest skaters of the early 2000s. What's he up to now? Would be super cool to see if he can still rip.

[@muchotothepoint401]

How are you still liking that Kape?

[@richardsmith7322]

I didn’t know the stage 9’s were the lightest standards Indy made I have 1 139 and 1 129 lol whoever bought them grabbed the wrong ones a dad came to a park I was at and gave them to me cause he was gonna throw them out. Now, if they had good kingpin clearance they would be better than the stage 11’s and that’s a bold statement

[@gabriellaforce2041]

Interresting! For me, whit my 5.5 shoes size, my limite for the size of my board is 8! 7,75 is my size for now but i ride 8 sometime. My real problem is the truck size! Venture 5 or 5.2 for a 7.75? Anyway I just buy some Indy 139 low to try it! If the snow could melt...

[@_Maxten]

according to wikipedia: STAGE 9 - 2003 : 1. Introduced an all-new lighter weight hanger and base plate; designed to be rigid for performance and durability. 2. Added all-new, ultra durable 4140 chrome molly steel axles. 3. Reduced thread length on axle for tight bearing-to-axle fit and a faster, smoother ride. 4. Precision drilled mounting, kingpin, and pivot holes to ride straight for improved performance. 5. Same FAST-ACTION Independent Truck Co. geometry. 6. the first stage that was computer drafted. 7. The truck ended up quite a bit lower.from 55mm to 53.5mm, totally altering the turn. It didn't help that the baseplates sucked too.Those things broke. STAGE 10 - 2009: Returned to a beefed-up baseplate BUT the lower geometry remained and the trucks just didn't turn like old Indys, making many riders to look to past models to get the perfect turn.

[@Habeev07]

So rad. I just was looking in my old toolbox from when I was a kid and came across my old 2000's Venture Awake trucks...but they were on the base plates of some Indy stage 8's?!?! The rest of the stage 8 trucks were also in the plastic bag. I literally have those same 6 hole and orange bushing stage 8s! I have no idea why they were mismatched like that with my old Venture Awake's but I cleaned then up and reassembled them so now i have a complete set of late 90's Indy 129's. I actually cleaned them so well I dont wanna skate them. I want to find the bottom half of my Ventures and skate those if I can. Any chance you have 2 base plates of some 20 year old Venture Awakes I can buy from you ; ) Cheers.

[@StandbyCymbalist]

Ben, if you get your hands on some Stage 9s I'll like your opinion. The base plates have less metal, but a lotta peoples be hatin' on 'em.

[@deereal3173]

Haha Ben Clearly that clip from the 90s was you! But dam man what was that? Inward heel something something nose slide lol. Another great job!

[@bendegros]

Inward heel to tail......stall😂

[@daKandiman14]

I injured a big toe skating flatground 8 weeks ago that wont heal. I tried the rice method, buddy taping for weeks, ice baths, epsom salt baths and ibuprofen. I saw my doctor today, they told me they don't have physical therapy for toes, they told me not to get xrays, all they did was prescribe me some meloxicam for pain and inflammation. What should I do?

[@bendegros]

Wait.🤷‍♂️

[@bendegros]

Honestly, I am in a similar situation. My baby toe on my leading foot is messed up. Skating transition is the only thing that doesn't bother it very much so I have been doing that a lot. Its also why I have been wearing Van's again. They are wide and don't cramp my toes.

[@justinle998]

That king pin clearance!!!!

[@pablocolmeneromartinez2140]

ben do you know how to build a rail?(idea for a video...) i dont have space to store a ledge but a rail fits in the garage

[@anthonygross3876]

All I used to ride so when I felt these new stage 11s I freaked out

[@eight_hundred_eighteen]

I just got some Stage 8's on ebay and man I have to say, I am proud to be in the Indy Cult of finding old trucks and using em'. Ironically the Stage 8 were when Independent started trying to make the truck lighter. Dunno if all Stage 8's were Duralites but maybe someone can clarify.

[@ambientrealms_]

Are you still digging them? I have some stage 8's arriving tomorrow from an ebay purchase as well. I've only tried the 7's prior to these.

[@eight_hundred_eighteen]

@@ambientrealms_ Hell yeah, dude! They were never used and had only been set up on a board that someone hung on the wall. I used a standard Santa Cruz 7.75 for em and it was a change to my usual 9in + boards. But I adapted quite well to them. Sadly I snapped that board after 3 sessions. So the trucks were solid. Just that I'm a bigger dude, or maybe it was my foot placement that caused me to snap the deck on a heelflip. But yeah man, hopefully you enjoy that ride!

[@ambientrealms_]

@@eight_hundred_eighteen nice yeah the ones I bought are barely used. Have you tried Ace's? I wonder how the turn is on the stage 8 compared to them.

[@eight_hundred_eighteen]

@@ambientrealms_ I have tried Ace's They are a bit different. Some would say that it can a bit too loose for those who ride slightly tighter trucks. If you prefer a slightly loose trucks almost always, then you'd dig it. Also they're ideal for flat since there a bit millimeters lower than Indy's. That might one of the differences between both trucks. But again they based the geometry off a Stage 3 Indy, so it's in the same ballpark as an indy. Maybe just a tad bit modded.

[@anthonygross6144]

The trucks I grew up on

[@0071skateboard]

I've seen the video Take care of your skateboard. Have a good day.

[@mathewmendez5588]

is is me or did Ben's filming angles get way better?!

[@stuartsmith3823]

Love your videos. What size are the stage 11s you put back on at the end? Fellow dad/carpenter here. Your videos are the only thing I watch.

[@bendegros]

144 so 8.25

[@stuartsmith3823]

Sweet. I just ordered a pair of those.

[@brettdonahue876]

Nice backside tail side. Even better switch one.. these videos need to stop being so good. I haven't talked to my wife in over a week. Actually that's a good thing

[@herbal_p]

where are you getting all these unused trucks from especially from 1998

[@bendegros]

Secret source. Actually, they are finding me.

[@johnm3946]

I got a set of Indy lows from about early 2000. They're a little different, never really seen anyone else with them.

[@fatlinesofcode]

How about a review of standard vs conical bushings?

[@jwest88]

The stage 11s have been out for years now, it makes me wonder if/when there will be a stage 12 truck. I guess it it works why change it? I used to skate indies, but have been on thunders for the last several years. I have my old stage 11 hollows still sitting around, could maybe see how I like them one of these days.

[@bendegros]

Thunders are hugely popular these days for good reason. I was recently skating a park with a bunch of 20 something year olds and they were ALL riding thunder 149 standards. Indy may be losing its stranglehold on Vancouver after all.

[@richardsmith7322]

The stage 11 standards (not hollow) and I think there the best trucks out right now

[@bendegros]

They are in my top 2 favourite trucks. Funny thing is, I don't know what the other one is😂

[@richardsmith7322]

Lol

[@richardsmith7322]

If I were to guess your second favorite would be venture?

[@RVCAskater93]

I had an old set of these that I was running on a cruiser board up until recently. But unfortunately the board shot into the street one day and a car ran over it and bent the axles. :(

[@PsychoCitySkateboards]

Do you skate bones bushings at all ?

[@TheBigSquidAZ]

Hey ben in a future video I would love to know what you mean by a light and heavy pop feel you are always mentioning. Love your vids keep doing whatchu do! Much love !

[@andrewyoutubered5945]

popping your board is when you slam it into the ground to make it pick itself up, i think its safe to assume hes directly referring to the effore it takes to launch the board from the ground.

[@TheBigSquidAZ]

@@andrewyoutubered5945 I understand in that regard, maybe i should have been more specific. I was more wondering what factors lead to a lighter or heavier pop feel and is there a better or preferred set up

[@kharyan2]

Love you Ben. Couldn’t find Dan Wolfe’s channel. Could you link it in the description?

[@ToniLovesSkateboarding]

Kharyan Taylor here ya go! kzbin.info

[@bendegros]

Hi Kharyan!!!!🙂

[@rodins98]

These vids are gold

[@bendegros]

Thank you!

[@nobodysdifferent]

just realized your Vancouver carpenter

[@christopherp.rodriguez6986]

When’s the stage 9 indy vid coming?

[@gutwounds]

I had no idea you skated dude

[@bendegros]

Every day!!!!

[@gutwounds]

@@bendegros you're lying

[@bendegros]

@@gutwounds nope

[@lior2713]

Was waiting for this video😀

[@bendegros]

The wait is over🙌

[@dejiita]

i still have my old stage 9 indys 129s and 139s

[@TheAlfone1]

Dude started this channel hating ur flatground and now I actually think it looks very smooth and controlled. Congratulations

[@bendegros]

Not sure what to say. Thanks I think😂

[@Bigpantz]

How many tricks went down on the chunky ledge you were skating 🤣🤣🤣

[@tonymontana2718]

Are those nike team classics?

[@benjamingoling5304]

Can you review a polar deck please

[@cheddarcheese8945]

These were i first pro trucks old skool fool, lol after a while the axle use to slide back and forth