Lmackattack

They are for model and drive line specs R was the model RS600L was a westen made R with steel frame and light weight componets RL700L was a westen made R with alum frame and light weight componets 600 had standard hod lengths 700 had a longer hood RB was a set back axel DM was a "dump mixer" designed chassis The digits in the middle R"685"ST would stand for the engine type Maxidyne, Econodyne, etc...the ST is six wheel tractor Its was very easy to desiginate a mack back in the day now all this new mack numbers..CU, CXU, CTP, CHU,GU,CHN is Crap. it makes no sence and when people cant under stand what it is they dont want it!!! 3P Wake up these rookies at Mack.! End of my Rant hope it helps!!!

you can split all 5 gears on the stick...that gives you 10 forward speeds the dash swith puts the trans in low reduction then the splitter on the gear lever can split that gear giving you 2 more speeds in "low Low" thats a total of 12 speeds Its a great trans as you have all the low gears and a good OD. Normal driving I would shift it 1-2-3-4 than split 5.. almost like a 6 speed. then in the hills you can split the gears to keep RPMs/speed up. They are getting scarce and expencive to repair!

RB600 most of the RB around here were straight trucks. But in its final days alot of people ordered these as tractors as they were built about a year longer after the RDs were dropped.

nice find!!! whats the plans for it?

sad indeed.. I spoke with him sevral times regarding my truck,dads truck and other trucks owned by friends... alwasy got me the build info and anything els he could find... a great guy indeed... trent

it also burns clean.

WOW!! HOW DID THIS STORY END???

I think it would send a strong message if a strike lasted 3-4 days and then a threat of another strike to follow if things dont improve. but as some have already said.. there are more wheel holders today then O/O on the road. That right there would just give the big companys more freight to haul and force there employees to work. this is the issue that needs to be addressed before a strike. Teamster or not we would have to all just force the trucks to stop loading or hauling for a few days just to get the message out. I worked at UPS 10 years back when they went on a strike for 2 weeks. it made an negative impact for shure but it also woke people up at the top and nation wide. We can all see that in todays world everyone only cares about themselves. many people complain about gas prices only to get too and from work or play. they dont even consider that trucks,trains and planes that bring them goods and to warm places use fuel. When airlines pay for high fuel cost they only pass a little on to the consumer then take planes out of service layoffs to save money. When american driving jobs are lost to low wage immagrant workers it does not give the avg American the full effect as the companys cost savings mainly just target the higher dollar employees. Now if we could shut down 50-60% of the freight and pass on the full effect to the avg American it may open there eyes to what can happen when freight stops. maybee then they will start to think about the big picture and how a economy works. I am glad to say that I have not had to look for food or wait for simple things at a store. but at the same time I think this country needs a lesson in how things work. Just my .02 Trent

SD40T2 I like the first gen diesels and late model local steam for my size layout. If I used a big boy on this layout It would be able to pull about 5 freight cars before it took up the whole passing sidings! LOL I keep it simple with 4 axel diesels and 2-8-2 are as big as I go with steam. Small units are alot better for this size layout. I recently bought a MRC DDC controller and love it. as a kid I had a large layout that had 40 some blocks to keep trains running. what a nightmare! this DCC system is so easy and makes railroading more fun and less headaches. Fire mack I have a few b models on the layout. look for the red B under the coal hopper and a Yellow B pulling up the hill. I also Have a few "NEW" R models running around Trent

i model after the ic and icg aera on a small HO shelf/dog bone layout.

SD402T are you a train buff also? welcome aboard

My RS has straight rails nose to tail. they taper the top flange of the rails at the front to give more room around the engine compartment. The Steering box is mounted on the outside of the rails. exhaust is routed above the RH rail and runs under the cab. The eastern R models IMO have a better design with the spread rails. this allows better fitment and access to the engine and its componets. Not shure if the trunions differ in width between east and west R models. My RS has "spacer" blocks placed where the trunion and crossmembers bolt to the frame. It looks as if the spacers are about 1/2. that would be about right if the narrow "eastern" rails were bolted directly to the trunion/crossmembers? Trent

I was at the Con Expo Las vegas show last week. My overall thoughts of it was that it looked like a well built truck. I thought it looked tuff and rugged like the old R Macks did. It stood out in macks lineup at the show as the top dog. it kinda Makes a CH/granites look like toys. It shared some traits that were seen on the old Western RS macks The cab is raised up, tall larger hood, air tankes and battery boxes were installed simmilar to a Western. Its the only mack currently offered with the 525??-605HP MP10, Cab was by far the most roomy that I have seen in any conventional Mack. Leg room was great, plenty of head room, dash altho plastic was inline with the design of the trucks fresh looks. Tan Button tuck interior looked like it had plenty of insulation. The only draw backs were in my persional tastes of how some operational and componets could be seen as issues or maintence hastels. The dash looked like it woud be hell to remove if needed to access the back side to add some aux features. the visibility was good for a truck of its size but nothing like a small cab R model. The air cleaners were kinda wierd looking. They were not large and bulky or in the way of visibility but just diffrent from what in used too seeing.The "west coast" mirrors were off looking but like alot of new trucks thats just how they build them. They did not have the hood open when I was there so cant comment on engine fitment and ease of accessing componets. over all I think it will be a good truck for what it was built for. Sleeper cabs are to follow shortly (as I was told) Yes its hard to get used to the diffrent body lines but think it will have its place in the on/offroad markets as long as its priced to fairly compete with the strong holds of long hood pete and KW models Great show overall. I have some pics of the show and will post later. Trent

THANKS FOR THE TIP.. WILL BE THERE THURSDAY CAMERA IN HAND

Chris I will be in Vegas next week also. thursday -sunday... hope its as good looking and set up right like everyone is saying. Trent

a little too flashy for my tastes but glad to see an old dog looking good and still running! Hectorcillo You have some great looking Macks in your country, keep posting!

i could use one if no one steps up! Trent

ok good just wanted to make shure before i go looking for one. Thanks Trent

Do you need a special cam for a Jacobs engine brake on a 285 mack?

mine were 3.87 from the factory (1978) currently i have 4.17 that were pulled from an "F" model Mack cabover, these are of the standard cast iron diffs. My 65 B model has 5.73 cast iron diffs. on alum walking beam. Trent

i believe that you are talking about The diff drop ins. i will have to check my build sheet but i believe my RS mack cam factory with alum drop ins. ? CRD92/93??

Our Local ATHS chapter stopped for some eats 2 years back. here are some photos. Trent

i adjust them the same way you do. Sounds like the valve is bad,bag is bad or a leaky air line. That valve should hold air when parked. only time it should louse air is when the cab moves and alows it to dump. Could you relocate the valve to a place that does not interfear? Trent

Well you have alot of options I guess. You can buy a 80's-90's R model(pre electronic engine). They are cheep, simple and reliable but would likely need to be freshen up as many were rode hard and then parked. If you can hold a wrench it will be a very cheep truck to maintain as all the repairs can be done by you or any mechanic i.e no lap tops needed. If you do any off road work spring ride will be better than air for traction. many R models can be found with air ride cabs to soften the road and come with 285-350HP/ 6,7,8,9,10,12,13,15,18 speeds and a few with air ride rearsif thats what you want. The 90s CH macks are almost as good (my opinion) as the R models. The Ch has a larger cab and has more comfort but I dont think they are owner operator friendly with the electronic engines. they also dont put the HP down like the mechanicals did. The good thing with the CH is that you can easly find them with more options than the R models had. around here the R was a work truck and they were speced that way. The CH has more of a in between mack and thats why you can find alot with air ride and off breed componets. Parts for Ch models are widely availible thry mack.. Sadly R model parts are begining to thin out. so this may be a selling point to you. As far as pulling power in the mountains the R models and CH models cant be compaired to the loog hood OTR KW and Petes as they dont have the cubes under the hood to realy compete in that game. You will find a few "RW" or "CL" that have 500+ power but thay will cost alot more just for the engine option. If you are new to trucking stick to what you know and learn from there. it will save you more in the end and you can always upgrade to a flashy truck later. I run a 30 year old mack part time for the last 3 years. never had it at a dealer yet for repairs. if I cant do it I have a local guy make the repairs at half the cost. cant say that about these new computer trucks.. good luck Trent

http://www.uphs.org/4023move.html