doubleclutchinweasel

Yes, J. I have beer. But I prefer Old Forester over ice! Thanks, slpwlkr!

Well, I could go one of two ways. If I can come up with an R611, I would be tickled. If not, I'm thinking something like an R685. In either case, I'd like to stay "light"...single rear axle, single-rail frame (if possible), lightest ("softest") springs. I can almost spec the thing out, if you'd like! I really like the pre-73 (CA36) cabs, but those are hard to find in good condition. So, I'm probably going to end up with a later model truck, or at least a later model (CA 49) cab. I like the very late "galvanized" cabs, due to their longevity. Oh, and I want a 77 or earlier frame, as this qualifies it for "antique" status here in NC. My facilities here for doing the major work are very limited (which sucks!), so I'm looking for as complete a unit as I can find.

Seems like the change to the new interior (and longer cab) was in '73, dockmen027. But, I have seen both types listed as '73 models. I guess it wasn't a clean break. And, oh boy! The great color discussion! That has been discussed A LOT. Seems like there was a good bit of variation; even more on the B-models. I believe that truck on oldmacks was actually painted with one of the B-model colors. MOST of the Rs I've seen were a more pale green...almost "school bus interior green". On that same site (OM388, I believe) there is another R600 with an "original" colored interior. I actually went there to look at/buy that truck, but it wasn't as good in person as it was on the web!

LOL! Funny, hatcity! That seems to be the way it is everywhere, though.

I don't recall ever seeing those gauges "way back when". The first time I saw a setup like that was in the '90s, I believe. But, who knows! Stranger things have happened. Dennis Meehan at www.oldmacks.com has a nicely restored R-model with a dash like that in it (see OM400). The original gauge holes in the dash appear to have been filled with some type of plugs. Looks good. I suppose it COULD be factory. Or, it may be a really nice after-market kit.

Hey, VInny. Glad to hear that you and your grandpa have a project! Looks like a pretty solid truck. I have twin 2-year-old grandsons myself. I hope, when I can get my truck built, they will enjoy it as well. Kent

Hi, everybody. I'm Kent, from Marion, NC. My handle is "doubleclutchinweasel". Maybe some of you are old enough to remember where that line came from! Back in my youth (let's not discuss how long ago), I spent some time hauling heavy equipment with a Mark R611ST (225 H.P. Thermodyne and 18-speed Quadruplex) hitched to a Hyster tri-axle lowboy. I never thought, the last time I got out of that truck would actually be the LAST TIME I ever got out of that truck. Maybe some of y'all know what I mean! So, recently, I have undertaken an endeavor to find/restore/build my own antique Mack. I have spent the past few months doing research, and trying to make good contacts in the Mack world. Some of the folks I have met have been very helpful. Others have been much less so! Whatever. I guess it takes all kinds. Or, we HAVE all kinds, and feel compelled to find a place for them all! I recently joined the ATHS, and have met a few fine folks there. I have made a few rather long trips to look at potential trucks to use in the project. I still don't have the first piece bought! But, I do have sources located for lots of the pieces. So, with the help of some of the folks I've met, I may be onto something fairly soon. I hope so, anyway. I'm looking forward to chatting with you folks here, and picking your brains! And, I hope I can be of some help (or at least some entertainment) to some of y'all some time! More to come... Kent

Greetings, all! I am in the planning stages of building an antique Mack R-model truck. I have already done much research, and have met several folks in the business (some very helpful, others...not so much!). I had planned to build what would essentially be an R611T, with the ENDT-673 Thermodyne and an 18-speed Quadruplex. This would essentially duplicate (on a somewhat lighter scale) the truck I drove (too many) years ago. But, it looks like it will be easier to build an R685T, as there are more ENDT-675 Maxidyne engines and Maxitorque transmissions available. Oh, well! I have recently seen, in person, an "R" truck on a U685 chassis and another on an F685 chassis. This, along with some comments from one of the more helpful gents at the Mack museum, makes me think that the basic chassis of all 3 of these models are the same, with crossmembers and other components positioned as-needed for the various models. Does anyone have direct, personal experience with swapping cabs & frames between these F, U, and R model trucks? Thanks!