Jamaican Bulldog

Many customers also used their Macks all year round and they lasted over 30 yrs. One of the problems I experienced was that not only was the replacement part for the 10 yr old truck overpriced, even though it was 'genuine' Mack parts it didn't even last half as long as the original. I once had an embarrassing situation where I bought some parts at a Mack dealer for someone over seas. He emphasized that it had to be Mack original which I did, it even had the Mack logo etc engrained on them. Not long after he questioned if I had really bought the original Mack parts because they were wearing out already. I felt embarrassed because I didn't want him to think I had got him expensive fake parts.

Yes, it was about between 98 and 2000 when I did the tour. So they were still building the R and DM models while the CH and CL I believe was being built in SC at the time. I even saw an RD 800 roll off the line which I think was for export to a oil field.

Wow, that's a shame. I remember years ago when I toured the Macungie plant, the guide took pride in saying that Macks were built to last at least 30 years. I believed it since many old ones were still on the road. I guess that philosophy has changed.

I wonder what proportion of Macks sold still use the Mack triple counter shaft transmissions and/or the Mack top mounted reduction axles?

I always wondered why Mack had a gap in their engine displacement between the 11 liter 6 cyl and 16 liter V8 while the competitor's 13 to 15 liter grew in popularity. Were they short on development funds or just thought their torquey 6 cyl would be enough as in many cases they did? It is a pity their big 6 didn't make to the market.

Sodly, thanks for asking these questions as I have wondered the same before. I have also wondered what were these Macks engine longevity compared to the bigger hp competition at the time? My uncle in very mountainous Jamaica still has 74 Mack DM600 with a 237 engine, twin stick 5sp and 38k Mack rears that still works everyday with the original powertrain. Even though the engine has been overhauled it is still the original, and the transmission has never been opened. Many trucks have come and gone since this Mack and the few other makes of the same vintage or from the 80s that have survived have had their engines replaced and other powertrain components. Everyone around there with a truck knows everyone else with one, so this truck and Macks in particular have this kind of reputation especially since there are not many Macks in that area. I remember the bigger horsepower Cummins or CAT powered trucks being faster especially on the flats than even the 300hp plus Macks but the Macks even with their smaller displacement excelled on the steep or unpaved grades and other tough conditions fully loaded while 'screaming' less under pressure.

As a kid I used to be fond of being able to tell different engines based on their sounds from even far away. Even some trucks with the same engine types had distinct sounds due to their individual exhausts etc. which allowed me to identify the owner. What used get me strange looks after they already had passed by a few moments before, was when I could identify the engines and particular truck due to the smell of their exhaust fumes

I didn't see this posted here before, but at macktrucks.com there is a sneak peek pic of the truck to be launched September 13th

A 280 ton truck was stopped on I-95 in RI for operating without a permit. Not sure the type of tractor though. http://www.overdriveonline.com/280-ton-truck-halted-without-permit-in-rhode-island/

Also the U400 had lighter specifications than the U600

Yes true, good points. If you have bought at least 5 or more vehicles in the last year or so in your business or currently have 15 or more vehicles operating no matter the brand you may be eligible for Ford fleet pricing. I also handle Ford fleet at my dealership and there is something to consider. Even if you qualify for fleet pricing and even have a FIN (Fleet Identification number) always compare the prices and payments of the general public incentives, especially if you are financing or leasing. Most often fleet incentives are not compatible with other retail incentives such as 0%, special lease rates or rebates that may be available. I usually compare both for a fleet customer and sometimes the retail incentives are better depending on the situation or vehicle. The same thing goes if you have a Ford X-plan. X-plan is usually just a few hundred ($200 or $300) over dealer invoice and is fixed price on the vehicle invoice. Sometimes there are incentives not compatible with X-plan that may give you a better deal if you went with regular retail incentives. If you are an independent contractor that uses, supply or install major brands, for eg. you install Carrier a/c units, you may get a X-plan via Carrier etc. Same goes if you work for a big company like Verizon or a utility or energy company such as Con Ed or even a Bank like Chase, you may get X-plan or similar incentives from automobile brands.

Lol, yes that we can agree on even if we disagree sometimes on what might be classified as stupid stuff

When I lived in an apartment I had a 150 crew cab. Some of my neighbors thought too that the only thing I hauled was groceries, I would hear them make comments to that effect. However what they didn't see was that on weekends I would pick up my dirt bike and that of my friends stored at his shop and go riding plus pulling a trailer. They also didn't realize that I made frequent airport runs at least 3 or 4 times per year for family members who travel internationally. A pick-up has one of the best versatility to seat multiple people and also carry all their luggage. Otherwise it would have taken 2 cars for every trip. I also have friends who would make comments and jokes about me having this truck, but guess who they called when they were moving or had to make an Ikea or Home Depot run? My point is, the good thing in this country people are free to buy what they want and many things go on in peoples lives than what just meet the eyes of onlookers. I have friends from other countries who would love to be able to have the vehicles we have in the U.S. They often can't not because of higher fuel prices where they are, but because of regulations that restrict or make certain vehicles very expensive to own. Some countries have higher taxes on the certain class, engine sizes of vehicles. Very often due to bureaucrats who want to dictate what kind of vehicles people should own while they drive what they want. The dealership where work sell multiple brands apart from Fords. I do hear the drivers of car only brand in particular who often makes comments about trucks on our lot such as " What do people need these big things for?" when they know nothing of the person's job or lifestyle.

You are both right. As I mentioned in my post, there are some applications where body on frame is the only way to go especially for heavier duties. BOFs are also more versatile for up-fits and modifications. New technologies have allowed heavier applications to not sacrifice ride quality. Some BOF designs have coil springs, independent suspensions and even air ride.

My 2cents from selling Fords and other brand for 18 years. Automobile markets and the applications that best suit them can vary quite a lot. Body on frame platform derived vehicles have a greater appeal in markets where most people are likely to go off road or encounter rough roads or need high ground clearance. Hence, they are more popular in South America, Asia, Australia etc. Ingenuity and advances in flexible unibody platforms in the last 30 years have allowed manufacturers to derive multiple vehicles from the that type of platform such as cars, mini-vans, cross-overs, SUVs and even pick-up trucks. This has had many advantages including: Economics of scale to lower costs of production and more efficient use of factories. Lighter weight and fuel consumption Better ride and handling especially at highway speeds Years ago studies showed that less that 10% of people in the U.S with traditional body on frame SUVs actually went off road or needed the capabilities of a body on frame based vehicles. Most people really just liked the capability of 4wd or AWD to make it through snow on paved roads. Uni-body derived CUV and SUVs became more popular as they filled those needs. In addition more cars became available with AWD. However body on frame still excels for high towing and cargo weight capabilities or serious off road duties. Body on frame vehicles also typically have longitudinal mounted engines ( mounted north to south) which gives the engine bay more room to accommodate large displacement engines. While many people associate the increased market share for CUVs and SUVs especially in NA due to lower gas prices, modern variants are not gas guzzlers like 20 to 30 yrs ago when their mpg averaged in the low to mid teens. Today many variants even those accommodating 7 passengers can achieve mpg of what 'economical' mid size sedans did 20yrs ago such as in the high 20s or low 30s mpg. Some full size pick-up trucks can do that too. Many crew cab pick-up trucks with body on frames are the ultimate all purpose vehicles. They can comfortably fit 5 or 6 people, go off road, deal with harsh road conditions, stylish enough to go out for dinner or a formal event, have high tech features, pick up supplies at Home Depot and still tow over 10,000 lbs. Many also doubles as the offices for many contractors or business people. The functionality of modern SUVs and CUVs have made them more attractive to own and are often alternatives to station wagons and mini-vans. Another positive but rarely acknowledged aspect (especially of the uni-body types), they are easier to get in and out of than regular cars especially for older people. Relating directly back to the topic. Body on frame will refuse to die because they don't have to, as they are still in demand and modern designs make them more desirable. Vehicle platforms are also more global than ever. Manufacturers may make variants of vehicles for different markets but more vehicles are being derived from fewer flexible platforms, even when they seem very distinguishable. In NA, body on frame vehicles not only fills the need of people who utilize them they way they were intended, but also many of those who just like the tough looking image of the Jeep Wrangler for example. The Ford Bronco ( which is being developed by Ford Australia for local and global markets) will also appeal to those sentiments while also full-filling true off road functions. One of the reasons the Ford Ranger will return to the NA market around the same time as the Bronco is because they will share the same advanced body on frame platform. Other Ford vehicles might too such as the next Explorer and some Lincoln vehicles. Some might remember that the last NA Ranger left this market close to the time Ford switched its Explorer platform mate to the unibody platform shared with the Taurus, Flex, and the Lincoln variants (MKS and MKT). That uni-body platform was originally derived from a Volvo platform from when Ford owned that company (not related to the Volvo Truck). Lincoln btw has missed many opportunities by going for so long without having a 7 pass variant of the Explorer since the discontinued Aviator over 10 years ago. No the MKT doesn't count. Look to see Fords new body on frame platform spawn many interesting variants.