vision386

Found this at a mack dealer in western colorado,it is obviously a E-model , but year, designation, specs. etc. i was unable to find out, as they were getting ready to close for the day. I did learn it was a "sparetime" project for the shop, and that the pickup body was off an "L' series international. The guy i talked to said it was about 99% complete,just needed some fit/finish work. I wish i was able to find out more about it, as i thought it was nicely done for a "phantom" not like some of the trucks turned into pickups, i personally like the "stock" appearance. mark

After one and a half years arguing back and forth with the Illinois Secretary of State bonded title division, I finally have a title for my 74 RL797LST. This is the truck I cut the roof from almost a year ago and was proceeding rather nicely until this ordeal was evident to be a drawn out affair. I then stopped work, backed the truck into a corner, removed the batteries and let it sit in place.

Now maybe I can get it wrapped up. This one is just going to be an average repaint with no restoration type work taking place. Once I rebuild some of the inner roof supporting structure and put a new skin on, it can go outside as the truck is still complete.

No real need in moving forward if one can't get the unit registered.

Rob

Rob, just curious as to the specs on your RL post, this is my alltime favorite mack, and i plan to restore one at some point, i have been amassing parts and info for a good number of years. once we get settled in our new home, my first priority is getting a shop built.Then to search for a good candidate for restoration, i am able to do about 80% of the work myself, wiring and electrical problems have always been my nemissis, as my background is primarily paint/bodywork. I can understand your frustration with the title issues, been there done that! i know that laws vary state to state, but i was wondering if you had any advise,tips etc. on getting a tractor registered that will not be used commercially. mark

Good looking MH. I love seeing these "when they were new" pictures

Thanks! thats a good looking B-81 you have as well. are you from up around carlstadt,NJ ? could swear i've seen that truck working up around the meadowlands (or one just like it) reason i ask is i'm from jersey born and raised, we moved to virginia about 2 years ago.....mark

Thats a sharp looking ride,,I like that,,looks like its getting ready to take off with the shop,,later,,Randy

Man i miss my 40'x60' morton building thats for sure! lost it when we moved to virginia, now i have WAY more crap than i do building!...mark

I was going through some old pictures today, came across one of the first brand new truck i owned, It was ordered in may 1988,was delivered in oct.1988 when it came in i was suprized to see it was delivered blue with white stripes! it had been ordered the other way-around at the time, i was leased to atlas van lines and their policy was that the tractor had to be primarily white, so after a few choice words and a frantic phone call to evansville, i was able to get it worked out and stay leased on as-is (was) This was a damn good truck! it was an E-6 350,backed by a 13 speed roadranger,3:90 rears on 4 bag air-ride. I put almost 496,000 miles on it, and it was nearly problem free.I have always been a bit of a pain in the ass when it comes to my trucks appearance,kept them clean ,polished and well maintained, even back then people had a hard time believing it was an 88'.The man i sold it to 16 years ago was still running it up until this year pulling containers with it,and the last i saw it, still looked damn-near new! How many other make trucks that are 20 plus years old do you see on the road today? something to be said for mack longevity!....mark

At my local dealer, I give props to the one parts guy at N. IL Mack. The rest you can have. Maybe I look at it from the wrong angle, but it seems as though dealers anymore will bend over backwards for fleets and what not, but the one man band like myself gets kicked to the side. With that, I've learned to do as much work as I can by myself, my dad has been a good mentor and a lot of help as well. There are several good independant shops in the area but they have higher labor rates than Mack does. I think when it comes time to replace my truck, I'd only buy privately.

Yeah i sure know about the fleet over littleguy mentality, seems like if you don't have 50 or a 100 trucks they have no time for you.Before i moved from NJ to VA i had bought my last 4 new trucks from the same dealer that my family had used for probably 50 years or more, the dealership sold out, became a service dealer for a waste management inc. terminal, became garbage truck central,i was told a few times it would be a "few weeks" before they could get me in for somthing as simple as a PM, which i thought was bullshit! but its all about money now. I'm always going to use macks, but the dealer network leaves a lot to be desired these days. There are only a handfull of dealers in the entire country i would trust with my truck, there are a lot more bad than good ones left and thats bad for us owner-operators, im like you, do most of my work myself, my grandfather was a master mechanic, we did most everything in-house, now that i look back, i'm really glad i paid attention....mark

If it weren't for the occasional $hit storm, we'd have nothing to post...

It's all in good fun

I know thats right!....mark

Just wondered if anyone has a favorite mack service/sales dealer (or independant shop) I have several, but my best experiences have been with utica mack (marcy,NY) they have always gone above and beyond to accomodate my needs, they have always treated me fairly, cost effective, and actually listen to what you have to say. Once, when i was in for a warrnty issue after hours, one of their mechanics let me use his personal vehicle to go get something to eat, and register at motel (which they paid for) because they were etremely busy and were'nt able to get me in right away....you here so many stories about bad shops, i thought for once i'd give an "attaboy" to one of the good ones still left. mark

Whuddayou know? You wanted to trade your for a petercar

I'll take a truck that gets me in and out of wherever I need to go and is still roadworthy when I am ready to get back on the road over a truck that rides like a Cadillac but can't go where I need it to...

GEEEZZ did,nt mean to stir up a whole shit storm! you guys primarirly do vocational work, me on the other hand am on pavement 99.9% of the time,spend upwards of 3 weeks at a time in my truck, cover 26-3000+ miles per week, mountains,snow, desert etc.i have been in a truck longer than some of the people i know have been alive, and after 30 years you come to appreacieate a good riding truck when your back, knees, and everything else is sore and does'nt work so good anymore! no truck rides like a cadillac,my point was my CX rides better than a similarly equipped volvo thats all.....mark

I'm very sorry for your loss Randy.

If Schwartzkopf (and Powell) would have had their way, that whole mess in the middle east would have been taken care of back in 1991.

.

I agree with this statement as well,i am always saddened to learn of the loss of a veteran, america is the greatest country in the world due to the sacrifices of our men and women in the armed forces......if you can read,thank a teacher, if you can read in english, thank a veteran!.....i for one am thankful to have people willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend our nation. i too am very sorry for your loss........mark

This is an LT

Yer not foolin me...

And never in a million years would I put my phone number on the door.

Sumbitch! I see the www.http:///whatever for your photo is myspace. Am I the lone holdout on the social networking bullshit or what?

Nah you're not the only holdout! i don't do any of that social networking crap either! "myspace" is behind the wheel of my CX, bout' the only place i get any peace and quiet!...mark

Yer not foolin me...

And never in a million years would I put my phone number on the door.

Sumbitch! I see the www.http:///whatever for your photo is myspace. Am I the lone holdout on the social networking bullshit or what?

Nah you're not the only holdout! i don't do any of that social networking crap either! "myspace" is behind the wheel of my CX, bout' the only place i get any peace and quiet!...mark

Also, can a V8 be swapped in at a later date? This 350hp 4 valve is 100% freshly overhauled.

The headlight swap can be accomplished fairly easily,but will reqiure some modification/bodywork to the fenders,as the round headlight assembly will not cover the square set-up. as far as the E-9 swap, my question would be why? with a fresh ovehaul the 350 should last a long,long time! btw,that RL-700 in the photo you posted has some "moviestar" history, pretty famous truck in its day, always liked the RL/RS series...just my 2 cents!..mark

Took a delivery from FedEx Freight today and noticed he was driving an older Volvo single axle, (on spring) tractor pulling a 53' van. I asked him how he liked that truck and was surprised when he explained they had new Internationals, and Freightliners at the yard and he preferred an old Volvo rather than one of the newer trucks. Also said the older Volvo's were much more comfortable to drive and negotiate traffic. Though he didn't know what engine was under the hood, it was clear that he had a strong favoritism towards these trucks. Also said they were very reliable where some of the newer ones were in the shop a lot.

No favoritism by me, just relaying what I was hearing.

Rob

Anyone that knows me will tell you my loyalty has always been with mack, but i once drove a friends volvo 770 and was really impressed with the turning radius of the tractor, but little else. i have always heard "nothing rides better than a volvo", i personally did'nt like the "feel" of the air-ride steer axle, and with no bias,my CX rides much better,has a more solid feel, and coolant tank notwithstanding, has been one of the most dependable trucks i have owned.....just my 2 cents!......mark

This is a good carpenter.

Rob

Da vinci with a nailgun? who'da thunk it!...mark

Yes, but it was used to mix that "special sauce".

Rob

My wife found this during an internet search,e-mailed it to me, thought somebody on here would get a kick out of it! - mark

Welcome to the site! thats a great looking outfit,always been a big fan of the RS/RL series trucks,sure looks to be in great shape, always been kind of a dream of mine to build something similar and travel the counrty, see the things a was never able to visit while driving a truck for a living. you have come to the right place for info and ideas concerning macks,there is a vast array of knowledge available to you on here for the asking!...best wishes, mark

In an recent interview, General Norman Schwarzkopf was asked if he thought

there was room for forgiveness toward the people who have harbored and

abetted the terrorists who perpetrated the 9/11 attacks on America.

His answer was classic Schwarzkopf.

The General said, "I believe that forgiving them is God's function.... OUR job is to

arrange the meeting."

Always been a big fan of "stormin' norman" being that i was born and raised in jersey,great leader and stratagist, always put me in mind of george s. patton (without the inflated ego)...not many people know his father was commandant of the new jersey state police, and oversaw the investigation of the lindberg babies kidnapping back in the 1930's....mark

Greetings,

I am a part-time trucker, owner-operator, who has fallen in love w/ a 1988 Superliner. I am currently operating a 1979 K100C KW COE, that I am modifying and restoring. I need some help with a reasonable sales price for this Superliner, and was given this website as a good place to pose this question. Let me tell you about the truck...

88 Superliner... 679000 original miles. 350hp 4 valve, series 3 girdle upgrade. overhauled 25000 miles ago w/ paperwork. New turbo, injectors, radiator. Pump turned up 15%.

Eaton RTO14613 transmission from factory. Rebuilt. Less than 50000 miles.

Mack rears at 3.70, Neway air suspension.

36 Ablebody sleeper, heat, AC, charcoal grey interior, immaculate, cutout for single stack.

New Bostrom midback seat, proper matching material, Bulldog inlayed in seat, airride. Passenger seat is rigid mounted w/ proper material.

Interior carpet is in excellent shape, clean, no burns or rips. Headliner excellent. Dash excellent. Sleeper boot is new. All door seals are new. Hood seal is new. Air ride cab.

Imron 2000 paint, excellent condition. Hood excellent and undamaged. Chrome front bumper, excellent and factory correct.

Two new fuel tanks, four new batteries, two new airtanks, stainless.

Frame mounted side box in need of serious buffing.

Six aluminum wheels, also in need of buffing, four steel wheels. TIRES ARE VIRGIN DUNLOPS @ 30% or less.

Mack stainless quarter fenders, w/ emblem inlayed.

New heated mirrors w/ Bulldog emblems.

Single 4 inch stack, chrome is fair.

Double frame, shortened 30 inches, wheelbase is about 230. All bolt holes exist to stretch frame back out, owner will provide original driveshaft and crossmember w/ sale.

AC blows cold. New fan clutch.

New RF spindle. New kingpins. New brakes and drums on all axles. New maxi chambers. New airlines. Excellent tire wear... no odd patterns.

Truck has been in same family for 20 years. Was garaged and undriven for 12 of those years, and is very much loved by its current owners.

They have all original paperwork, and documents to support all work completed.

They are asking 22500. I am being told this is a $15000 truck... I feel comfortable at $18000... I need your thoughts and opinions.

In my opinion, this superliner is well worth 15-$20k,it surely could not be duplicated for that price,and a truck in this kind of shape is an excellent candidate for restoration or to work. I have had good experiences with the mack 350, think its a damn good engine,have owned 2 so far with very few problems if any,my 1988 MH that i sold over 12 years ago is still running everyday with 1.4 million miles and has only ever had the head off once.Personally, agree with some of the other opinions posted,as i would just freshen things up a bit,but leave it pretty much as-is, of course you must remeber its YOUR truck,and should do as you please should you go ahead and buy it,if not as was already stated you will have no problem finding a buyer on here!....mark

not sure if this is really considered a 'Mack Truck' but it certainly is a Big Mack Truck

This is the last time I'm going to try this...hope it works. Enjoy

I wouldn't worry much about that. Just post whore your way to 'Pedigreed Bulldog' status like some of us have...

AW hell, i'm having fun doin' what i'm doin' ya' know? seems to be a lot of like minded people on here, thats what i was looking for someone to talk macks and shoot the @hit with i'm having fun!...mark

If anyone is that "thin skinned" to be offended, they surely don't need to be here.

Rob

I agree, i know i'm still a "FNG" on here, just dont want to step on anyones toes......mark

I took a Cadillac Escalade out for a test drive just to drive that sucker before they become extinct. The salesman sat in the back seat describing the car and all its wonderful options.

The seats were of particular interest. He explained that the seats

directed warm air to your butt in the winter and directed cool air to your butt in the summer heat.

I stated the car must be a Republican car. Looking a bit angry, he asked why I thought it was a Republican car and I explained that if it were a Democratic car, the seats would blow smoke up your ass year-round.

I had to walk back to the dealership but it was worth it...

LMAO! thats a good one!....mark