sodly Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 If memory serves, the RB was the longest-lived R model. I'm not sure what year production ended but it was several after the regular R model ended. I've always wondered why this was. Is it simply because it was a set-back front axle model and Mack didn't have another one in the line up at that time? Or what was it about the RB that convinced Mack to keep it around so long? I rarely see them here in the Midwest. Was the RB a heavier-framed version of the R like an RD? Or was it light-framed like a normal R? Inquiring minds want to know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 The RB was the last of the R series to be produced. A very under rated tractor in my opinion. I saw many of them used Here in Chicago as tractors and straight trucks. lots of roofing company's and bulk haulers used them. As far as I know it had all the major options as a standard RD had. not sure why they chose the RB to end production. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Been driving a RB dump for about 3 years, they have real long tapered front springs, do ride softer than a RD. It has a pretty heavy duty single frame. They do lean pretty bad if you corner too fast. But I am still partial to a DM or RD, I owned my own DM for about 20 years. terry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 RB's in the NY area were used by NYC and a lot of municipalities because of the SBA. Probably was the last made because of contracts for towns, counties and cities. Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodly Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share Posted September 30, 2017 I never thought of the RB as a very popular model which is why it seems an odd choice for a last R model. In fact, I don't really recall seeing any RBs until they quit building R models. Then I started seeing some around. Did their production run overlap with the regular R models much? Or were they a late addition to the R lineup? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Production overlapped, it was basically an SBA version of the RD with a set of tapered, long leaf springs on the steer. In NY they were ideal for city and village work because of the maneuverability with the SBA. Great for plowing, deliveries and Urban construction sites. Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 I first recall the RB around 1989 and I believe they went until 2003-2004 or so. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DailyDiesel Posted October 2, 2017 Share Posted October 2, 2017 89 RB right here. 1 Quote www.dailydieseldose.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RSD501 Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 I love RBs. Worked at a place that had a 91, 300 6spd. It was a really nice driving truck, and I always thought the angled hood looked sharp. Theres still a few around here, all aluminum. KTSI just had 1 for sale at their yard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 2005 almost the last off the line. Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sodly Posted October 3, 2017 Author Share Posted October 3, 2017 So they came in an offset cab version, too? I've only seen the regular cab on an RB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamaican Bulldog Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 16 minutes ago, sodly said: So they came in an offset cab version, too? I've only seen the regular cab on an RB. The last DM models had a similar shaped but shorter hood with off set cab. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 (edited) 2 hours ago, sodly said: So they came in an offset cab version, too? I've only seen the regular cab on an RB. OOPs!! Correct caption but wrong picture. That's a 2001 DM. This is the correct RB photo Edited October 3, 2017 by 41chevy Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted October 3, 2017 Share Posted October 3, 2017 RSD: What do you man all aluminum? Aluminum frame on an RB???? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 They are very similar to our valueliner, which I believe came out in '87. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamaican Bulldog Posted October 4, 2017 Share Posted October 4, 2017 10 minutes ago, Timmyb said: They are very similar to our valueliner, which I believe came out in '87. I wonder if that hood would fit on a RB. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I suppose Aussie Valueliners utilized standard R-model frames. As all other Aussie Macks of those years did. RB's had different chassis style. So the hood hinge attachments would be different. Here's RB from my side. It was catched up by someone's camera at Russia's North. As I learned from my research the truck dissapeared some years ago. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 And there was Australian RB as well. Even with early and later hoods. The first one looks quite nice on my mind. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve p Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 Vlad ,that first photo is a New Zealand built RB ,the bonnet was designed and built in kiwi land. it used the CH grille and headlight units .the bottom photo is a Series 2 Metroliner , Aus designed and built Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted October 5, 2017 Share Posted October 5, 2017 I really liked the looks of the last DM with the RB styled hood. Even the DMM with the vertical headlight panels was a sharp all business looking truck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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