JoeH Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Mechanical is always your friend, manual or auto. Would be a major headache trying to graft a computer system into another truck. Apart from that I got nothing. Using what's readily available means parts to fix will also be readily available. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOBWhite Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 I'd agree with the DT466 idea since cummins can be a bit pricy to find. Plus DT466 is rebuildable!! John Deere engines can also be pretty easy to find and are about the same as a DT466. Eaton 6 or 7 speed is what I would go for but if you feel up to plumbing in air lines or even driving with twin sticks you can put any transmission in you want. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Man that Diamond Rio would look right nice at my place. Good luck bud some great ideas…. Bob 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Rolled over F250 install B model sheet metal lol all I got just my opinion lots of options out there like the fellows are saying… bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 20, 2023 Author Share Posted December 20, 2023 I'm game for just about any combo that is EASY to find parts and EASY to maintain. Nothing worse than finding a project and all the parts to support it are like hens teeth. In the last 25 years, I have done DOZENS of restorations. Cars, tractors, soda machines, jukeboxes, pinball machines, vintage machining tools, antique farm implements, furniture, clocks, and on and on.......I'm a glutton for punishment. I was thinking it might be easier to buy a whole truck to swap parts off of, like a pre 1994 International with engine/transmission and axle. Swap it all over to a Mack B61. I would like a stick, but my wife may also want/need to drive it. I kinda want to put a roll back on it to haul equipment rather than use a trailer, might also help with the ride. Anyone know what is the limit for posts on this forum? I got a notification that I had met the maximum amount of posts for the day. Is that for new guys? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 I have never heard of that Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 1 hour ago, r8f1k said: I'm game for just about any combo that is EASY to find parts and EASY to maintain. Nothing worse than finding a project and all the parts to support it are like hens teeth. In the last 25 years, I have done DOZENS of restorations. Cars, tractors, soda machines, jukeboxes, pinball machines, vintage machining tools, antique farm implements, furniture, clocks, and on and on.......I'm a glutton for punishment. I was thinking it might be easier to buy a whole truck to swap Anyone know what is the limit for posts on this forum? I got a notification that I had met the maximum amount of posts for the day. Is that for new guys? It very well may be a restriction on new members. I have not heard or seen it before. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Likely to keep spammers from doing mass posting all over the forum. You have to have like 10 posts to add pictures? Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 6 hours ago, r8f1k said: I'm game for just about any combo that is EASY to find parts and EASY to maintain. Nothing worse than finding a project and all the parts to support it are like hens teeth. In the last 25 years, I have done DOZENS of restorations. Cars, tractors, soda machines, jukeboxes, pinball machines, vintage machining tools, antique farm implements, furniture, clocks, and on and on.......I'm a glutton for punishment. I was thinking it might be easier to buy a whole truck to swap parts off of, like a pre 1994 International with engine/transmission and axle. Swap it all over to a Mack B61. I would like a stick, but my wife may also want/need to drive it. I kinda want to put a roll back on it to haul equipment rather than use a trailer, might also help with the ride. Anyone know what is the limit for posts on this forum? I got a notification that I had met the maximum amount of posts for the day. Is that for new guys? There was a fellow a few years back that bought a bus and used the whole driveline for his B. Front/rear axles (hydro boost), motor/trans. He did have to narrow the front axle to fit . B's are pretty narrow. All mechanical, no computer if you can find an old enough bus. I'll try to find his build, there were tons of pictures. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 20, 2023 Author Share Posted December 20, 2023 Funny you say that, I was just thinking this morning on the way to work about using a bus!!! Single rear axle, probably an IH engine..... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 32 minutes ago, r8f1k said: Funny you say that, I was just thinking this morning on the way to work about using a bus!!! Single rear axle, probably an IH engine..... Also enough frame length to mount a roll back?? Might have shorten it in back of the drive axle?? That Diamond REO you pictured looks about right to convert into a roll back?? Quote Brocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brocky Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 Send TJC Transport an email / PM thru his profile picture.. He is a moderator and can answer your question Quote Brocky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted December 20, 2023 Share Posted December 20, 2023 10 hours ago, r8f1k said: I'm game for just about any combo that is EASY to find parts and EASY to maintain. Nothing worse than finding a project and all the parts to support it are like hens teeth. In the last 25 years, I have done DOZENS of restorations. Cars, tractors, soda machines, jukeboxes, pinball machines, vintage machining tools, antique farm implements, furniture, clocks, and on and on.......I'm a glutton for punishment. I was thinking it might be easier to buy a whole truck to swap parts off of, like a pre 1994 International with engine/transmission and axle. Swap it all over to a Mack B61. I would like a stick, but my wife may also want/need to drive it. I kinda want to put a roll back on it to haul equipment rather than use a trailer, might also help with the ride. Anyone know what is the limit for posts on this forum? I got a notification that I had met the maximum amount of posts for the day. Is that for new guys? I post all kinds on all kinds of stuff all the time. Probably just an anti spam feature til you've established yourself. log in every day for a week, it'll get you a badge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 22, 2023 Author Share Posted December 22, 2023 I have found a decent B61 with a Mack diesel in it. Owner says it is a 673. Any thoughts on keeping the 673 and swapping a better/more roadworthy transmission? It has a tandem axle, I would be willing to swap an axle, but what is the IDEAL thing to look for? Factory air ride? Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 Ideal is go to a junk yard and see if they have a rear single axle cutoff with a suspension you like and axle ratio that'll get you the top speeds you're looking for. Take note of outside frame rail measurements, I believe Mack frame rails are a slightly different spacing than other manufacturers. May require shims of some sort to match up another brand suspension to the Mack. My Mack experience doesn't begin until you land in a mid 1970's R model. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 Note that trucks of this era were built when highway speed limits nationally were 55 mph, so that's typically what you can expect any old dog to be built to do. Gearing an old dog to go 75 mph is probably doable, but remember the steering geometry and linkage may or may not be happy going that fast. My '79 R686ST keeps you on your toes to make sure you stay in your lane, albeit it's a top heavy truck with light frame and springs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 22, 2023 Author Share Posted December 22, 2023 70 would probably be the top of my MPH. Any idea on a single stick transmission? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 22, 2023 Author Share Posted December 22, 2023 doubleclutchinweasel, posted in 2014 that he saw a Mack Midliner with a B61 cab swap. Anyone know anymore about this truck? 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted December 22, 2023 Share Posted December 22, 2023 Are the midliners the ones that are awful to find parts for? Like $10,000 for the brake treadle valve? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 14 hours ago, JoeH said: Are the midliners the ones that are awful to find parts for? Like $10,000 for the brake treadle valve? yup. midliners are signified by the "MS" or "CS" in their model. as in MS200, MS250, or MS300 and built by RVI of france. RVI is or was Renault. Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 I thought they were perfect for that myself… till same reason everything is obsolete and. A Fortune.. bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 My opinion cheapest route find a complete rolling bobtail chassis we have 2 wrecking yards here with all kinds of them good luck.. bob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r8f1k Posted December 23, 2023 Author Share Posted December 23, 2023 So is a Midliner a bad choice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 And yes, I am sure you’re 5,000,000,000 miles from here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted December 23, 2023 Share Posted December 23, 2023 2 minutes ago, r8f1k said: So is a Midliner a bad choice? Yes, a bad choice as far as size perfect. Personally I would go for something else that was not European… 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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