96bulldogpower Posted June 9 Share Posted June 9 As the title reads, I’ve been around Macks from the 90’s up. One thing I’ve never really understood are the differences between 44k and 46k camelback suspensions. Does anyone know what it would take to upgrade a 44k to 46k? A local guy has what he claims to be a 46k cutoff but it appears to have the same leaf count and size as my current 44k setup. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75641-camelback-44k-vs-46k-differences/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mackman87 Posted June 11 Share Posted June 11 If I’m not mistaken the ratings only changed if a cross brace was added to the diffs. One running from frame across to carrier. They made a random 50k setup as well in the 90’s, the end of the axle looked like a Rockwell though. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75641-camelback-44k-vs-46k-differences/#findComment-577320 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted July 2 Share Posted July 2 On 6/10/2025 at 9:56 PM, Mackman87 said: If I’m not mistaken the ratings only changed if a cross brace was added to the diffs. One running from frame across to carrier. They made a random 50k setup as well in the 90’s, the end of the axle looked like a Rockwell though. My '95 has the transverse torque arm and 44k rears, my 2003 has the transverse torque rod and 46k rears. Don't think that's it. Probably just re-ran the engineering numbers when Volvo bought Mack and uprated them. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75641-camelback-44k-vs-46k-differences/#findComment-578405 Share on other sites More sharing options...
96bulldogpower Posted July 10 Author Share Posted July 10 (edited) My understanding is that anything 44k and over has the transverse rod. Just based on what little I’ve gathered, it seems that the only difference between a 44k and a 46k is that the 46k will have cast iron axle housings, whereas the 44k has stamped steel housings. I’d like to be able to know for sure though. Edited July 10 by 96bulldogpower Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75641-camelback-44k-vs-46k-differences/#findComment-578752 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kt_Engineer Posted 2 hours ago Share Posted 2 hours ago On 7/9/2025 at 8:07 PM, 96bulldogpower said: My understanding is that anything 44k and over has the transverse rod. Just based on what little I’ve gathered, it seems that the only difference between a 44k and a 46k is that the 46k will have cast iron axle housings, whereas the 44k has stamped steel housings. I’d like to be able to know for sure though. There are different variations for axle housing rating & suspension rating. Mack makes 11mm & 14mm wall thickness stamped steel axle housing along with 3 versions of cast iron axle housing (23k lbs with Mack proprietary spindle obsoleted in 2012-13 also one with R-series spindle, 26k lbs with Mack M2 series spindle and 32.5k lbs & 42.5 k lbs M3 series spindle). The 11mm is typical for on-highway usage but can be allowed at different ratings with different suspensions based on applications. 44k lbs was a special version allowed for some Municipality with a tag axle that allowed 11mm housing to be used at higher rating (taking loads and others into consideration for that application). It was later allowed for some other applications with the 11mm lighter weight axle housing. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/75641-camelback-44k-vs-46k-differences/#findComment-585390 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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