1961H67

A friend of mine has a 80 W 900 KW , Factory KT600 , Aluminum Frame, it was bought new and used for heavy hauling around Charlotte NC , Frame is Perfect! On the other hand I have a 1987 Freedom Superliner with Aluminum Frame, it bolts to steel under the cab , It’s very corroded anywhere it bolts to steel . It came from Ohio . Both Aluminum Frames are the same thickness, so just my opinion , Salt and bad weather would be much worse for Aluminum than Heavy loads, if it looks good and isn’t corroded I wouldn’t worry about it. 

Got a little time to work on my floor, I was unsure what shifter boots the LJ came with, As Matt and Me were comparing the cab height on the B73 and LJ when installing the backdrop manifold , the floor is lower and the mount for the Hi/low stick gets in the way of the boot mount , I made a “ Riser “ not original for sure but I’ll try it. 

Absolutely Beautiful,, it’s going to take a heck of a  Christmas Tree to “ Outdo “ that Combo! 

Front brake control, it has 4 settings,Low all the way to the left 9 o’clock then a detent notch at 12 o’clock and a detent notch at 1 o’clock and full at 3 o’clock,,, I never really thought about what years Mack used this Bendix-Westinghouse valve or if any other truck manufacturer used them,both my LJ parts trucks have this same valve , my H & C Models just have a on & off Dry/ Slippery. LTH has No front brakes . 

I’ll keep asking for updates on your B73 , That forces me to stay in the shop on a rainy day and make progress on my project! And Thank Both of Y’all and ALL Veterans on here for their Service ! 🇺🇸

It made a nice Rollback,, And like everyone knows,, it won’t set at the dealership half the time with the check engine light on. 

Yes I still see neat stuff for sale,, But except for the LTH , I have restrained myself,, Watching “ Coach Matt “ for the last few years has kept me motivated on the LJ . Seeing His B 73 Going down the road was a great motivator! 

For sure,, I love old pictures of trucks & trains working back in the day , I found this one a while back, it’s the Carolina Special coming up Saluda Grade ( steepest mainline railway in the USA, 5% ) The had a siding at the bottom, and a pusher would come out from behind and help. I’ve ridden up the backside of the grade with Dad in our C Model Mack when I was a kid, The road crossed the tracks at the top of the grade,, I donated this picture to the Saluda Grade Depot Museum. 

Looks nice and smooth,, that Backdrop is noticeable,, I’m sure those young kids with their iPhones can tell it’s got a 220 with a Backdrop,, NOT ! 

In ( Way too many years) that I have been working on this LJ restoration I have been fortunate that I have been donated 2 LJ Parts trucks , one with a 200 Cummins single axle, very rusty, and one Gas tandem, The Gas LJ was purchased new by a company near me when I was growing up,, they moved houses mostly, I remember as a boy seeing it being used. One of the original owners grandsons, gave it to me a few years ago, it was In really bad shape, but I have used a few pieces off of it. And actually I used the transmission in my L J , they put air power steering on it. It’s been a great help. I found a picture of it in use back in the day. Pretty cool! 

That Blue  one is a beauty! Keystone Museum has a beautiful Black one with a E9 , I saw it yesterday , Which by the way , Keystone Museum is a MUST for Truck ( and Tractor) Lovers, or if you’re just a Mack fan they have a great selection,, the Museum is a classic!