Mack part numbers

[6368]

Mack part numbers appear to be some sort of alpha-numeric code. Could someone please explain the system.

[j hancock]

A little of the alpha-numeric system was explain to me years ago but I don't really remember exactly. Had something to do with assemblies or grouping of components within the truck? Seemed to make sense.

Doesn't matter because Volvo is switching the Mack setup to a straight numeric numbering system so now everyone at the parts counter can be totally confused.

[thomastractorsvc]

I thought being totally confused was a prerequisite of working a Mack parts counter! Especially when dealing with trucks over 10 Years old.

[41chevy]

I thought being totally confused was a prerequisite of working a Mack parts counter! Especially when dealing with trucks over 10 Years old.

5 years old here on L.I. "your VIN does not appear in our system"

[kscarbel2]

I've touched on this subject in the past.

The former Allentown-based Mack Trucks for years had the most effective and yet ingeniously simple part numbering system in the global truck industry.

The beginning of the part number (prefix) told you what kind of part it was, with P-number suffixes that told you what variation it was.

Here are just a few examples of the part number prefixes:

1AX - fine thread bolt
4AX - course thread bolt
36AX - lock washer
37AX - flat washer
62GB - engine bearing

631GC - turbocharger
2ME - muffler

4ME - exhaust pipe

47MO - turn signal lamp

1MR - electrical switch
11MR - circuit breaker

3MT - temperature gauge
2QK - front spring
4QK - rear spring

1QM - hood
301SQ - king pin set
.........and so on.

The "P" suffixes were equally straightforward, continuing the brilliant simplicity of the Mack system.

2QK3378P1 10,500lb front spring

2QK3378P2 12,000lb front spring

An "A", "B" or higher letter between the base part number and the "P" suffix denoted an engineering improvement.

For example, 3MT35AP2.

3MT - temperature gauge

35 - R/U/DM

A

P2 - negative ground or P3 (positive ground)

Because of the brilliant Mack part numbering system, the part numbers were very easy to remember, due to the fact that each part of the number had a logical and clear meaning. This is why veteran Mack parts people, in my humble opinion, were significantly better than their peers in the truck industry.

With literally thousands of Mack part numbers comfortably in their head, veteran Mack parts people were faster than a New York deli.

(Did anyone ever have the nightmare of obtaining parts from a Ford heavy truck dealer?)

But now, Volvo has largely replaced Mack part numbers with Volvo global part numbers, randomly selected part numbers that have no meaning whatsoever.

This is why the handful of veteran Mack parts people still around can no longer quickly assist you. The Volvo parts system, by design, is immensely time consuming. Not to mention the horrible, inconsistent Volvo Group electronic parts catalog for Mack brand trucks.

For Volvo to throw away the staggeringly efficient Mack Trucks parts numbering system, frankly the truck industry's best, and replace it with meaningless Volvo global part numbers so as to meet the demands of their arrogant bureaucracy, is a tragedy for the Mack brand customer. As a Mack veteran, it leaves me totally disgusted.

Even though today's Mack brand truck is for the most part a rebadged Volvo, the Swedish truckmaker would have been better off to adopt Mack's superior part numbering system rather than force their often criticized system upon the former Mack dealers. But then, the culture of arrogance at Volvo prevents them from admitting they are inferior at anything.

[JayT]

Thank you for this information. i have been trying to find a list for sometime. I just signed up here because I feel there will be a wealth of information. Thanks again.