JD 5020

Good to hear that you can still get your hands on this stuff. thanks

I feel your pain, John Deere tools are have made in china right on them. Won't catch me owning any.

Is there any way to get any sort of an operators, parts, or service manual for theses old B's? Or is there anything else that gives basic maintenance, capacities, etc.?

Here are some diagrams that I found. See attachment below.

I too was looking for some more info on air brakes and up grades and ran across this website. Its not Mack related but it did give me some more incite as to "how and what". Also there is a section on Adding spring brakes. (4)

http://www.flxibleowners.org/flxbk/brakes.htm

Hey guys I need a little help. Most of the Macks that I have seen have been restored and had most problems fixed or hidden. I need some tips and wisdom from you guys that have shoes older than me and/or have been around these trucks all your life. What are some of the problem spots like the back of the cab for rust, broke springs, ways to tell if the front end is beat out from under them, etc? Also, what are some of the big ticket items as far as parts go that you find most unrestored trucks need? I'm just trying to get a feel for what’s what so I don’t get taken across some day.

I see that some of you guys are also interested in old tractors. I added a few pictures if your interested.

Why do you want to shorten the wheel base? It's not going to help the ride.

Your right, it won't help the ride one bit. I guess there are two reasons, one I like the look of a fairly short wheel base road tractor, and second i'd like to have an old Mack to haul tractors to shows, and some of them are pretty tight to get around with a trailer. But who knows, after I run one for a while it might be rough enough I won't wan't to shorten it up.

Well I don’t have a Mack yet but I have a cold natured tractor with a 6 cylinder in it and if it’s below 50 degrees it’s hard to start. It gets held wide open till it fires and then I ease up on it. Some times playing with the throttle a bit to make sure it picks up good on all cylinders. And if all else fails a snort or two of either.

That doesn't sound too bad at all, just need a good sharp drill bit or two. I'd imagine these frames dont drill too easy. Whats the best way to chop the frame off, a torch and some one with a steady hand?

Have any of you guys shortened up your wheel base? And if so what did it entail and how hard was it? Anything specific to look out for, or make sure you get 100% correct? Thanks

I agree with the manufacturer lowering the gvw from the factory. I got around the CDL by getting my 12000 lb trailer tag to read just under 10000lb. If the man wants to push it, any trailer I tow that is over 10k would require a CDL. And what is even worse is that even if you are legal and the man's interoperation of the law isn’t right then you have to fight it out in court. I have talked to three different D.O.T. people and got three different answers.

Thanks guys, looks like it would be a bit much to tow with my 12k gooseneck trailer. Would you say an extra axle tires and all would weigh 1000 pounds?

Hey guys, im sure a few of you have run your trucks across a scale a time or two and im just looking for a rough estimate of what a tandem B Model weights vs. a single axle. I want to get a feel for what it takes to haul or tow one of these. Also, what is an approximate width? Thanks

Hey guys,

Hope you all had a good holiday. Does any one know off the top of their head when maxi brakes came on the scene. And also what were the first trucks mack put these on.

Hey Steve<

If you get a chance send me the clip. I dont own a twin sticker of my own yet and this is as close as I get. keep us posted if a DVD comes out.

Thanks.

jbosley357@suscom.net

I don’t know much about dodge or chevy diesels, but I can't complain about my F-350 with a 6.0 in it. For what it weighs it gets up and goes. I have had two gassers and would find it hard to go back to them now. On occasion I tow 10 -14000 lbs with it and there is no problem. To each is his own, but if I had to choose id buy a ford first and a chevy second. Other than that, I might have to walk.