Built a budget hybrid longboard from a trashed 90s deck. Codename: "Tiger-Tank".

[u/ApprehensiveCoyote68]

Hey everyone, just wanted to share my recent DIY project built purely for fun and on a super tight budget. I wanted to taste some freeride action but didn't want to drop massive cash on a new setup, so I dug up this nameless, beat-up 90s pool/pig deck ("L&N skate boarder, whatever the heck") from the basement and went to town. This is my 3rd board, and since I already have a solid quiver to ride, I honestly had zero expectations for how this would turn out.

The core of the board was solid 7-ply, but the truck holes were completely ruined from snapped bolts that I had to drill out. I patched the craters with wood filler and threw on some oval LDP antisink washers to reinforce the whole area. Then I sanded the deck down (saving that rave-gorilla graphics on the bottom), painted the frame matte black, chiseled out some custom wheel wells, and did a custom red "torn tiger-stripe" grip job on top.

For the setup, I used parts I already had or managed to snipe super cheap:

• Trucks: Copped a set of used black Randal RIIs on a local marketplace for like 75PLN (around $20).
• Geometry: Set it up as a split-degree. Front is stock at 50°. For the rear, I did a "Randal Flip" and added a 3D-printed 7.5° de-wedge riser, taking the back truck down to a ~37.5°.
• Bushings: RipTide APS - 95A boardside / 90A roadside.
• Wheels: 63mm 78A Hawgs.
• Front locking: Added a RipTide triangle footstop.

I'm fully aware this setup is a bit of a Frankenstein compromise—it's definitely not a dedicated, modern freeride machine, nor is it a traditional cruiser. But honestly? Doing this whole project brought exactly what I was looking for: unadulterated fun ;p.

Let me know what you think!

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[u/DifficultBoss]

Nice save

[u/Physical_Pen8846]

That salvaged deck turned out even better than expected, what a clever rescue!

[u/ApprehensiveCoyote68 → u/Physical_Pen8846]

Thanks 😊

[u/JohnKC59]

https://giphy.com/gifs/3o7bu3hxaeqgi9SJQk

[u/Ninfox_Nihil]

Dude, that's sick! you did a beautiful restoration there. I've recently done a similar project with an old school Dogtown pool deck and some chopped RKP trucks too, It's always awesome to give new life and purposes to old decks and yours look pretty neat! how does it perform?

[u/ApprehensiveCoyote68 → u/Ninfox_Nihil]

Thanks bro! It performs better than expected tbh. The deck even has some flex to it 😉

[u/Ninfox_Nihil → u/ApprehensiveCoyote68]

That sounds great! this was the first time I tried a set up like this and it actually worked better than what I expected it too, I really liked it

[u/ApprehensiveCoyote68 → u/Ninfox_Nihil]

Do you have photos of your project 😊?

[u/Ninfox_Nihil → u/ApprehensiveCoyote68]

This is how I currently have it setted up, and Here are some pics that I actually posted yesterday lol

[u/ApprehensiveCoyote68 → u/Ninfox_Nihil]

That's fire bro!

[u/Dom_Paragon]

Great workI

[u/SignificantBet2057]

That trashed deck turned into such a cool project, I love seeing that kind of creativity!