WANT TO BUY Should I buy it?

[mack1928]

I can buy a 1984 Mack RD 688sx in great shape with about 140,000 miles and about 5200 hrs has a 14 ft bristol donald body. the truck has a newer mid 90s 300hp engine with the 5spd high low two stick tires are fair 1200 R24 I was thinking of making it into a tractor to pull a low boy around what do you guys think?? Or do I buy a 2004 cv713 with 350k miles real clean also with a 400 8LL which is a tractor already idk? price difference when all said and done about $10,000 difference to buy the newer truck.

[2stacksuperdog]

I think you better off with the 84. Putting a fifth wheel on costs a lot less than $10,000. A 300, 6 speed should have enough power to move anything and it a r-model with only 140,000 miles which is less than half of the CV

[Timothy Maikshilo]

I think you better off with the 84. Putting a fifth wheel on costs a lot less than $10,000. A 300, 6 speed should have enough power to move anything and it a r-model with only 140,000 miles which is less than half of the CV

I agree nice looking RD and would make a great addition.

[Jdiesel25]

I have a few rd triaxle dumps n I also have a few granite dumps and I personally prefer the r models

[felicello122]

R model all the way

[terry]

Bet the older mack will be alot less trouble!

[David]

Electronic vs mechanical is a no brainer. Take a serious look for rust. Especially between the rails if it's a double frame.

[mackniac]

1984 = real Mack almost problem free

2004 = half real Mack and all sorts of electrical and electronical gremlins

but as usual money talks

[RFCDrum]

You should buy it if you are going to make it into a tractor. It won't see as much use as if you left it as a tandem. You can't beat that drivetrain.

Cheers, Rob

[mack1928]

Yea the r models are so reliable I've had many same exact spec I just wanted to see if any real differences pulling a low boy verses lugging 25 ton or a tag I'm sure it's enouph power for the job my only issue is going back in time I've been buying new stuff and have had very good luck this far but if u don't have a huge budget for something this is prob my best bet to go with the r model

[RFCDrum]

You know you want to buy it. It's the big boobed devil girl on your shoulder whispering in your ear.

[jaysm35a2]

Id go with an RD, Id like one as a road tractor myself

[mack1928]

yea I think I will now makes the most sense

[TozziWelding]

I vote for the R model, I swear the old 350 powered R has more balls than the CH with a 427 we use.

[2stacksuperdog]

I vote for the R model, I swear the old 350 powered R has more balls than the CH with a 427 we use.

Our E-6 350 out runs our 350 e-tech any day of the week

[mack1928]

The 460 in my trucks are fast but over kill for what i need in this tractor

[RFCDrum]

Just buy it you freak. Put some straight pipes on her extensions on the gear sticks with some 8 balls on them.

[mack1928]

lol gonna make the deal tomorrow!

[2stacksuperdog]

Just buy it you freak. Put some straight pipes on her extensions on the gear sticks with some 8 balls on them.

Extensions on the gear sticks? by that i hope you don't mean shifters that you hit your hand on the ceiling. Straight pipes sound good though

[VPZINC]

R model FTW! My 87 with a 300 in it can smoke my 06 cv713 with a 460 in it.

[RFCDrum]

Extensions on the gear sticks? by that i hope you don't mean shifters that you hit your hand on the ceiling. Straight pipes sound good though

You gotta make them a little taller they are always too short. Billiard balls or plastic repros make the best shift knobs.

[2stacksuperdog]

You gotta make them a little taller they are always too short. Billiard balls or plastic repros make the best shift knobs.

Ok i asked just because some of the guys around here with the KWs and Petes have shifters in them that hit the ceiling almost

[mack1928]

We will restore that truck prob just to factory nothing fancy maybe a chrome air cleaner cover that's about it we always want them

Clean and neat and ready to work!!

[RFCDrum]

Ok i asked just because some of the guys around here with the KWs and Petes have shifters in them that hit the ceiling almost

No not to the ceiling but I like them a little taller. The tri axle I drove for Gulino when he put the 18 speed in her we couldn't get the right gear lever. It was back ordered forever so we put a stick from a Granite in her. It was taller and had that funky bend on it but it worked out pretty good. Had nice short throws on it.

Rob

[mack1928]

I had a 6" extension in my 89 RD690SX I personally didn't like it and took it off eventually before I sold it the throw on the shifter was to sloppy to me lol!