The cast plates are not 53.5 on any Thunder. All cast Thunders use the same plates and are 52mm except the 147, which are lower from the hanger being different.
I love the height, 53 sounds fine as well.
My bad, got my info about the baseplate heights from this slap thread:
https://www.slapmagazine.com/index.php?topic=104383.0Checked the Thunder website and it appears only the 161’s (9.125) are the only size that do not come with a 52mm tall plate, with the 161’s coming at 53mm tall.
https://www.thundertrucks.com/sizing/Also, I’d like to see an update with the bushing washers. The edges of the bushings washers tend to dig into the bushing.
If anyone from Thunder is reading this thread, we’re asking for just a slightly longer baseplate for more baseplate contact on slides, a slight increase in height of the cast baseplates, and updated bushings that don’t crumble and bushing washers with edges that don’t dig and cut into the bushings.
The hangar design is fine as is, although some added metal on the hangar would be nice, as the longevity of the trucks are not as long lasting as competing brands. Pivot cups have crumbled on me before, as well. This is nitpicking, but its worth throwing out there.
If the rumors are true, I hope these requests fall on the right ears!