Areodyne Bunk install on 86 superliner

[500v8]

Hi all. Question to put out there. The auzzie Mack’s that had areodyne bunks on them how was the bunk mates to the cab. With a sub frame then put on air? Or was it just hard mount?  Looking at the pictures of them and looking for some advice  before I mate mine. 

[mrsmackpaul]

Almost all air ride cab Macks I have seen mount the cab and bunk on a frame

Two air bags at the rear, one each side of the chassis 

The whole shootmatch moves as one 

Don't think they all came from the factory like that, but with the usual rebuilds over the years and improvements most were modified as mentioned

 

Paul

[Brocky]

Also remember that the Aussie's tend to mount their cabs and bunks about 4 inches higher to let the heat escape!!

[500v8]

Roger that. Thanks guys  Gives me a good idea now what to look for to mate them.  Which sleeper hole did they run the Mack v or the small kenworth one ?  I know I got to find either I think I might be able to down size a unibuilt one to fit the kenworth hole on that bunk

[mrsmackpaul]

Here is some ideas for mounting bunk and cab as one

Vlads sleeper build is fantastic, Vlad also had a thread going were he cut the back wall in the R model cab into the big opening 

A very informative thread, I couldn't find it, Vlad might track it down for you if he reads this and share a link across

 

Paul

[mowerman]

Seems thatwas featured here just a few weeks back vlads masterpiece somebody brought it around  for some reason … as an example or something good luck it’s a lot of work to chop up the back of it personally, I would not do it, but if you’re going to be using it all the time it’s probably a pretty good idea

[h67st]

On 6/8/2025 at 8:32 AM, Brocky said:

Also remember that the Aussie's tend to mount their cabs and bunks about 4 inches higher to let the heat escape!!

I thought that was so the driver could see over all the wild animals leaping across the road!

[harrybarbon]

I assume you are referring about connection between truck cab and sleeper cab. If yes, Mack Aust had two types of entries for the R models - between the cabs,

1 was the V shape about 1400-1500 mm high, the bottom of the V was about 400-500 wide, this style was for all the Bicentennials, Superliners and Valueliners, V8 and 6 cyl.

2 was a nearly square opening between the 2 cabs.

The mounting for the Bicentennials, the truck cab had the usual shock absorbers behind the cab and the sleeper was fixed with 2 rubbers mounts at the front and 1 at the rear. See attached pictures.

For the late Mark 11 model Superliners and the V8 Valueliners there were the full air bag system, rotating off the truck front cab mounts as in the attached pictures.  

 

[mowerman]

nice neat work thanks for that,,,bob

[harrybarbon]

I forgot to mention with the air bag system there is one separate frame (chassis) onto which the truck cab and the sleeper are mounted. The front of the frame pivots on the truck cab mounts at the front and at the back of the frame are the air bags and shockers. This system gives a great ride in combination with the truck cab air ride seat and you have the air bag rear suspension. With this set it will ride beautifully, bob tail or loaded. many Mack drivers who drove the V8 Valueliner with this separate air bag frame said it was the best Mack ride ever. The newer Macks have this set up. 

I have also seen the set up of the usual truck cab mounting with the 2 shockers and the sleeper also with fixed rubber mountings at the front of the sleeper and 2 shockers at the back of the sleeper. The gap between the 2 cabs and the flexible rubber seal between the 2 cabs allows for adequate movement.

[harrybarbon]

This is the yellow Superliner with the red frame and similar sleeper to your sleeper. I would think the system of this yellow sleeper and truck cab would best suit your Superliner. John the owner did the set up when they repaired it after his Superliner rolled over, he said the ride is wonderful. I will try find some pictures of the connection between the cabs.

[harrybarbon]

Here are the 2 examples of the cab connections. The V shaped style is the Bicentennial and also John's Yellow Superliner, showing the V starting about 600 mm from the base, the rubber boot is fixed with aluminium strips. With John's set up there is no movement between the 2 cabs. This would be the better opening system for your cabs and in keeping with the system used at the time for Superliners and many Valueliners.

The other 3 pictures are the V8 Valueliner sleeper connection being about 1450 mm wide and about 1200 mm high. 

If you like I may be able to contact John and ask for the opening measurements.

[500v8]

Thanks guys looking at the pics I think the yellow red be the better fit for what I’d do ,  I noticed the green pics was set up like a w900 hard mount on the front of the bunk with. The rear on air.  I know my uncles 1990 w900 was set up like that. 

[Vladislav]

On 6/9/2025 at 12:03 AM, mrsmackpaul said:

Here is some ideas for mounting bunk and cab as one

Vlads sleeper build is fantastic, Vlad also had a thread going were he cut the back wall in the R model cab into the big opening 

A very informative thread, I couldn't find it, Vlad might track it down for you if he reads this and share a link across

 

Paul

Paul mate,

It happens I'm a penny bit busy in the recent times. Interesting thread, would be cool if we see the final result some day. Here is a link to my R-model restoration work. Including the opening arrangement.

https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/61222-r-model-cab-resto-report/#comment-444164

 

[mrsmackpaul]

Good man Vlad

And you aren't the first bloke to have life get in the way of playing with trucks

You keep the dream alive over there my friend 

 

Paul