Red Horse

Rob,Thx for response. Of my three trucks, two were born gassers!

How about it guys-anyone have a clue? Were there supposed to be a couple of bulbs spaced on the back side of the dash panel? Like I said, I have an old panel out of another truck and it looks like there were two lamp sockets- no evidence of wires, but clips that could hold a bulb.

I got to thinking some more about this during a bout of insomnia last night.

Your duplex is undoubtedly set up for a push type clutch (either single or double disc), so the flywheel & clutch from the original Thermodyne engine was bolted onto the Maxidyne to accomodate the duplex transmission.

The Maxitorque transmission will be set up for a Spicer angle spring pull type clutch, so you'll have to get the correct flywheel & clutch and stick it on your engine in order to install the Maxitorque transmission.

Since the original clutch was push type and you're switching to a pull type, you'll have to re work the clutch linkage to pull instead of push. You might want to consider adapting a suspended under dash clutch pedal &

clutch actuating cable from a DM or R model.

Also, you'll have to use the correct speedometer drive gear or adapter for your truck's rear axle ratio.

.

HK (Herb?) Thx- I would bet you are correct. the truck is a 56 B-60X and I'm told the maxidyne was installed in around 79. My bet is the gas job was gone long before 79 when a 673/Duplex was installed. Maybe I should just live with it. The truck was in use up until a couple of years ago- not a lot on road miles but it does work- I drive it like a six speed- either upshifting while in first or any gear in between. No split shifting though- I had too many old timers tell me it is very easy to vblow the back of a Duplex out with all that torque.

Guys, thank you all for taking the time to respond

the 6 speed is Direct transmission in top gear. with 4.90s you will have a hard time doing 55MPH. you might consider an Overdrive trans or 3.87-4.17s for a play truck.

Trent

Trent- 4.60, not 4.90 The truck has 11:00 x 24's so as I do the math, with 4.60 gears at 2100 its good for 61.9 vs about 68.4 for 4.17's The 4.17's would probably be better because at say 1950, I would be doing about 63- and if I saw a "large car" bearing down on me in the mirror, it should do 68! The issue is I can find a 4.60 CRD 62's or CRD 118's are tough to find.

My bigger question is are all the mounts different and am I into drilling new holes etc??

Guys,

My B has a Maxidyne that someone installed with a Duplex. (Truck was originally a B-60X). Also 9.05 Gears in a 29,000 rear. I'm thinking I'd like to put a 6 speed in to really take advantage of the Maxidyne.

Any words of wisdom out there from those that have done it? I would also probably change the rear to a 4.60.

Guys, My instrument cluster has one light- the fuel gauge is a S-W and has a light bulb pocket in it. What is the best way to light the others? I have another panel that I took out of a parts truck and it looks like it might have had two separte bulb pockets that filtered light through the slots in the top of the gauge case? That it?

Hello,

My b61 has a 237 with the old trd720 trans behind it, I have found that if I split the shifts the engine don't pull as hard. I think it will save the trans. I don't know for sure but it has worked well so far. As for your original question... The way I shift my truck is to start in 1st and lo, then hi. Then you should shift the main to 2nd, let the clutch out, this spins the input shaft of the auxiliery trans up to speed and then clutch and shift the aux. to lo. Repete this all the way through unless you have a overdrive then 4 th-hi, you shift to 5th and leave the aux in hi. To know if you have a overdrive front box, see if the number ends in 0, should be like trd7220 or 720 or if it still has the little trans trd670( i have seen these behind diesels) If you have any more problems maybe I could video my duplex like freightrain.

Fred

Fred, Well I got underneath it. And it is in fact a TRD 720. Like I said, I will use this truck (has an 8 yard box on it) so I guess I show it some respect and keep my fingers crossed. Your Maxi/Duplex is a tractor and do you ever pull any weight?

Yep you have got it, as you go along you will find that you can speed the process up by using both hands. I find that the main will take a long time to "wind down" in RPM to be in the sweet spot to drop in to mesh with the next gear. The aux. will be ready to go into lo almost imediately. I have found as you are shifting the main into the next higher gear right about the time it is meshing into the gear you can slap that aux stick into lo and it will go in with a little practice. You have already noticed that it shifts different loaded and unloaded I bet.

I think that the duplex is a hard trans to learn on due to the long drops in rpm between gears. I learned on a duplex and then drove a triplex and thought this triplex is great.

Did I see your truck for sale in the WOT mag this last issue? I think it had a big brother b75 with it. I would like to have a b model dump truck myself. looking good and keep trying, in no time you will be an expert!

Fred

Fred, thx for info- yes it does shift differently- and in particular going down, RPM's are very critical- 4th to 5th is much easier with the clutch and a quick shift. I remember a long time ago when the Maxidynes first came out, and guys were used to Roadrangers, our fleet instructor would tell them- "just like a waltz- slow and one, two"

And you are observant. Ive been trying to get a two other B's together and the WOT came out- I recognized the phone exchange and the barn in the background- 25 years ago I used to take my kids past the barn where this local contractor had a fleet of B's Same trucks! The B-75 sold the next day. Been 20 years since I lived there-some things you don't forget. These trucks were still working and well cared for by an owner (and his father before him) who cared about equipment.

Now the wife is leaning on me to get rid of the other two as I "have my truck"

That sure is a good looking truck!

thx O'dog- and it works! did three loads this weekend.

Hello,

My b61 has a 237 with the old trd720 trans behind it, I have found that if I split the shifts the engine don't pull as hard. I think it will save the trans. I don't know for sure but it has worked well so far. As for your original question... The way I shift my truck is to start in 1st and lo, then hi. Then you should shift the main to 2nd, let the clutch out, this spins the input shaft of the auxiliery trans up to speed and then clutch and shift the aux. to lo. Repete this all the way through unless you have a overdrive then 4 th-hi, you shift to 5th and leave the aux in hi. To know if you have a overdrive front box, see if the number ends in 0, should be like trd7220 or 720 or if it still has the little trans trd670( i have seen these behind diesels) If you have any more problems maybe I could video my duplex like freightrain.

Fred

Thx Fred, bottom line, you are shifting the mainfirst and then the compound? None of this two handed stuff?

You need to talk to Doug Fetterly in Harrisville, NY.

He has both plain steel and polished stainless steel original style B model bumpers

and the grille protector kits in stock.

Sorry for the lack of contact info - but if you call information for the 315 area code

and ask for Doug Fetterly you will get a number. (I think it's South Shore Road, Harrisville, NY)

For a good used bumper try Kevin All at All Macks. (K-all on this site)

I don't know where you are located but, If you were going to Macungie,

either one of those guys might deliver you one to the show, if you ask.

Paul Van Scott

Paul,

Doug Fetterly, 315-543-2624, 14203 Parks Rd., Harrisville, NY 13648

I got his card at Macungie last year

I agree a maxidyne can destoye a dulplex trans real easy. I have seen some tore up mfrom a thermodyne from being to hot and some one getting rough with them. The back box will split if you mash on it under a heavy load with a maxidyne. It that dont happen then the input shaft will twist at the oil pump hole.

One other thing. The rear is a 9.05 ratio so that puts a lot less strain on the rest of the driveline vs. having a faster ratio.

RedHorse,

I'm trying to understand your question about the shifting. I also would like to know if your truck has the handbrake next to your right leg.? And are you having problems meshing with the gears?.....I'll back out of the post if it is something other than what i'm thinking. Also having the transmission #'s will help when discussing about your particular setup.

Thank You

mike

Mike, hand brake gone, has Maxi's. And my issue is trying to do a split shift without a lot of gear clash or a lot of lost momentum. And as it is a Maxidyne, it sure doesn't need 10 ratios but it is nice to have the option to split a gear or two.

Yes, the gas motor uses the smaller boxes, so definitely would be a big box now. Though it still is not rated for the low end torque of a Maxi. With the use you plan, it will likely survive fine.

This is my triplex, but it works the same way. The only difference is your sticks are changed position. The Duplex has the main closest to you, the compound away. They shift the same way other then I have three splits and you two.

Larry- this truck was used up until two years ago with that powertrain-again, owner operated and I'm sure that has something to do with it surviving.

[attachm

nt=4183:B60XBolton_001.jpg]Guys,

I probably should get under this and read the numbers. the truck is a 56 and my guess is that somewhere along the line, someone yanked the gas motor and stuck a 673/Duplex in it. I have the build sheet but the original box could not have survived with the 673. I'm told that around 79, they put the Maxi in it. I believe it has a 10 speed- not a low hole six. And I agree that as the Maxi was designed to run from 1200 to 2100, the splits in the 10 speed were designed for a 400 rpm band- not 900.

Again, assuming I want to split as conditions dictate, what is smoothest way? move main first or compound?

And I intend to use this truck- with the respect a 53 year old truck is due.

How about some help. I have a Duplex behind a Maxidyne. I just got thr truck and have basically been driving it as a six speed. Any and all suggestions on properly shifting a Duplex would be aprreciated. I think the 1200-2100 rpm band makes splitting this a bit more difficult.

I hadn't given that much thought, but that may just work! Anyone have his address handy? I think I have it somewhere but may have lost it. Thanks!

mack.museum@macktrucks.com

Thought I would drag this one back out and see if anyone had an answer! Thanks

Ever try sending those numbers to Don Schumaker at Mack Museum?

Ok Guys, any thoughts?. About to sand blast my B chassis. FA-522 front axle and RAD 111 rear. 24" My question is, given the fact this thing is a 1960, what parts would you think would likely require replacememt- other then the obvious of linings, hoses diaphrams. I have a new set of Maxi's for the rear. I'm asssuming things like slack adjusters, shoes, bushings etc should stillbe available?

Anythoughts would be appreciated. I'm not doing this yself so I have tothink about trade off of labor vs new etc.

I chased down the date and topic starter.

GGB3 MS

The thread started on Sept 18, 2008

Hope that gets you going!!!

Or try" Steering wheel repair" in the upper left corner of the first page.

Packer

Thx guys for the responses.

Any suggestios on best way to fix up a couple of cracks? Worst is about an 1/8". Typical B lime green.

thx

Hey guys, thanks again

Paul, Larry,

Thanks for the responses. Will look at both options.

Bob

Guys, I want to convert my B to an alternator and get rid of the series parallel switch. I'm swapping cabs so all of the current wiring is junk. I assume if I buy a harness from say Top-O Hill or any other supplier, I will be getting a lot of stuff I don't need given the conversion to an alternator.

Any thoughts? I have to believe many of you have "been there-done that"!