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I'm guessing the issue with the new trucks feeling different might be down to the bushings...
Aha! That sounds like the answer! The bushings on the good 169s do look different than those on the 159s. I'll hafta snag a new set and try it out. Thanks!
Agree with
@jakeumms on the bushings.
Definitely the bushing change over the years made them a whole lot more turny, but also urethane cures and hardens over time, so trying the mix and match bushings in the older trucks might make a difference too.
I fully waxed up every connecting bit of some older trucks recently - that is every facing part of pivot cup, hanger, bushing seats, washers and bushings themselves (just to see how it worked) and it made such a huge difference in how things turned so easily compared to what they were like before. Not saying this will fix everything, but it definitely changed for the better, going from a stiff feeling turn to a much more fluid feeling turn on the older trucks. Just go easy on it cause you don't want it getting messy, but it solved the squeaks and clicks too.
Differences in parts:
Older bushings - almost a poured sharp edge look to one side, slightly rounded other edge, flat face.
Newer bushings - concentric circles on the machined edge, same slightly rounded other edge, flat face.
Indy Stage 9 (from 2003) - two hollow parts (like nostrils) in baseplate with a single line cross on the front, hanger 53mm or so in height
Indy Stage 10 (from 2010) - solid baseplate, still single line cross on the front, hanger 53mm or so in height
Indy Stage 11 (from 2012) - solid baseplate, circle line round single line cross on the front, hanger 55mm in height on cast baseplates (with either solid kingpin or hollow kingpin option), 53.5mm in height on forged baseplates (always with hollow kingpin)
All sizes from 129, 139, 149, 159 and 169 during those times / stages, then 144 in 2017
From that I would guess that you have two Stage 11 sets and one earlier Stage 10 set of trucks, but the cross logo on the baseplate is the easiest make for the earlier stages.
* Almost forgot to add, no cross on the baseplates is only from 2020 or so onwards for new trucks. Most shops would have no old stock with crosses on now, but there are still a lot of sets around, so even then what you bought could have been earlier stages too, but most likely a Stage 10, then two sets of Stage 11 in more recent times.