BC Mack

some interesting photos here.... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3762053/Motorways-open-experts-investigate-terrifying-incident-M20-pedestrian-bridge-collapsed-heavy-Bank-Holiday-traffic.html forum gossip has the truck in the kerb/emergency lane at low speed merging as the 'digger' had just been loaded at the road works just down the road... the clearance on uk motorways is 16'6" but there is discussion as to the curvature under the bridge over the emergency lane.. some experts stating the bucket is incorrectly positioned putting the boom high but still below legal height so... Swift driver is innocent and extremely lucky... low bed guy brought it down but the tape measures are being calibrated as it's going to be argument measured in millimeters. BC Mack

Back in the day for me.... 70's, this was a typical 32 imperial ton set up that gave at least a 20 imp ton (44000lb) payload on a 40ft TIR tilt trailer.... why drag around that extra axle if you don't need it for weight distribution... BC Mack

It would be interesting to see if a North American version was ever studied as a what-if project, I'm curious to see what Scania would consider to be acceptable here.... as we have discussed in another thread, it would take a change in the way we move freight to bring back the cabover into fleets, and a significant investment by parent VW to bring in Scania.... whereas Paccar could bring a refreshed DAF XF on-line here and be able to support it in their current network. however, I do consider Scania to be still ahead of Volvo and retain the title "King of the Swedes".... BC Mack

Hi Vlad if I do an inspection on a road vehicle (bus, truck, trailer) here and I see an air tank welded or brazed it has to be taken out of service, fail the inspection, replace the tank and re-test noting reason for the fail.... air tanks are certified pressure vessels and code does no allow repairs by us common folk, most welders are not certified and will not touch them..... however, logging trucks !!!... what happens in the bush stays in the bush..LOL BC Mack

saw this one a few years ago, local truck, not seen it lately.... BC Mack

Walmart has other ideas.... Cabovers today may be part of a truck formula for max cube within max length rules, this is a warehouse to warehouse experiment in Ontario Canada Cabovers in the US are not going to make a dramatic comeback anytime soon, it will take a supplier/industry adjustment to payload/cube that will ultimately dictate to fleet or owner operators which "prime mover" style will be needed and they will then be manufactured... and you will drive it..!!! right now you pull a 53ft trailer with whatever limo length truck you own if it fits into overall length laws and axle weight rules of any particular state you wish to work in. to argue where the cab should be positioned on the frame is mostly personal choice in the general mix of things in the US/Can, specialised operations can dictate a move to COE when distribution of equipment on the truck overcomes the desires of the driver. The Scania vs Volvo vs MAN et al is a common argument on UK and EU forums... if someone chimes in with "hoods" and "conventionals" they are soon hounded off the forum... As far as this discussion... I agree that the R440 Streamline pictured is more reasonable aesthetically to me, the top-line does look a little too "noddy".... the front skirt work well, fuel mileage is what they are designed for and the hp/torque keeps you at a constant speed so your delivery is on time for your slot at the customer's drop off, it is a different world over there, runs on a railway timetable mindset. BC Mack.. a cabover owner..!!

this forum is worth exploring for ideas.... http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?s=641022d1a46ad97c081eb2f876b1911a&act=idx http://www.rvnetwork.com/index.php?showforum=32 BC Mack

don't forget to drop "MH Fred" on this site a note as he is the keeper of records for us MH guys BC Mack and I actually know where Madras is...LOL

If they drove it on dealer plates and never registered it to themselves.... demo? if full warranty applied to buyer. titled to the dealer and used to move trailers.... used go bench mark it against the auto dealers discount structure is it worth the discount "deal" to buy what ksc regards as a lemon?? BC Mack

BillyT... the British parts of Canada drove on the left until about 1924, Quebec was always on the right, Newfoundland was left until just before 1949 when it joined Canada. I think the US was on the left prior to the automobile.... which side did they sit on the wagon in those days and was the lead horse/oxen in the same place??? also, centre steering was common on early imported cars. Sweden changed over as late as 1967 Tow bars... ah, the stories I remember would frighten most...!!!! when the pin drops out and you have to overtake the tow vehicle going downhill with no brakes... you just wave at the driver as you go by... LOL found a couple of photos that explains the "always carry a tow bar" policy.... not much of a view out the windshield at 50mph..!! BC Mack

even with TIR there are still borders that take three days to get through with 30km line-ups... (mostly in the Stans and Turkey east)... the sheer volume and the "one at a time" attitude of border guards and collecting the new fees imposed for using their roads as a thoroughfare with no other benefit to them. with a boat there are ports to deal with, but that's it. the old "gold run" from europe to the Arabian Gulf was a reaction from shippers to move freight overland due to port congestion and overload during the influx of wealth to the region in the early 70's, even with crap roads and difficult borders the truck always beat the container... until they got the port finished and a rapid clearing of the dock to inland customs zones. ksc... were there any comparisons made for containers by train? gets very economical when double decked. I'm waiting for another shot at the "road bridge to Alaska" story from a few years ago..!!! BC Mack

if you can make it work there could be a line-up outside your shop..!!! take care if you need to cut the bulkhead, add doublers if you do, they can buckle.... BC Mack

the driveline of a GM coach 4104/4106 or Transit bus (Fishbowl) is a lot different to a truck... the engine be it straight 6 or V8 is transverse mounted, coupled to a transmission via a 90 degree turn which on the output is further deflected about 45 degrees... the driveline is diagonal from right rear of engine bay through a bulkhead to the diff which is located on the far left of the axle banjo, up against the brakes, the input to the diff also has a 45 degree turn... all this is mounted on a cradle with muffler et al, and is supported by struts to the rear roof structure and in the forward lower end of the cradle at the intermediate bulkhead for the axle radius rods. the whole body is monocoque... so...... the gearing issues have been flogged to death on the bus forums and I'm sure this idea for an aux box is actually a good idea, but the engineering has never been explored too deeply as the bus hobby is only used to "bus parts"... it will be a tight fit. I stole a few photos just for educational purposes... it shows a removed "package" and the bulkhead with the diff showing on the left. Believe it or not, on some GM RV's with the bed at the back this is the fastest way to replace a starter on an 8V71/92..!!! to find a 2 speed diff in the correct left side position is probably impossible... more conventional layouts of T drive buses is just like a truck but 180 degrees out and can be utilised in RV conversions.. ok... bus stuff over, LOL BC Mack

LOL maybe I'll prank them one year and badge the MH up as a Hayes... a tribute to what could have been..!!! I've got a spare cab to mock-up... hmmmmm. BC Mack

My annual pilgrimage to Cache Creek BC was different this year, I actually had a truck to take..!!! the MH performed well, about 5hrs each way, did most of it in the top 3 gears of my Mack 18 speed, the E9 has no limit to torque when bobtailing... LOL.. roads are not exactly flat is this part of the world. The show is getting popular, I see trucks here that go to no other shows, maybe a new location in town next year as it filled the arena for the first time. enjoy the visuals... BC Mack

Bob the flight down there was partly financed by pilot check rides, a certain gent from Florida is rumoured to want one really bad, the US Navy is now waiting until after the election before they decide on the blue one... over two years pursuing a deal, plane repainted to their spec and readied for a ferry flight...go figure. The world of Warbirds is a strange world for sure.. there will never be a shortage of cameras at Oshkosh... BC Mack

you're going to have to go a few rounds with the busnuts.... I have a PD4501 Scenicruiser with a T-Drive, 8V71, 4 speed and 3.7 diff.. first gear goes from 0 to 18mph..!!! not many options for a direct replacement as you have a transverse engine/trans with a bevel drive. I have seen one conversion to a 6V92 and Allison 730 off a later fishbowl Transit, took some work and ended up only as useful as a 4106. not many 4104's can be considered a hotrod or hillclimber..!!!! simply moving up to a 4106 or MC5 seems to help some owners, as does putting the bus on a diet.... amazing what the interior stuff weighs. I had my clutch rebuilt with friction material that allowed it to slip and not heat up, shorter life yes, but I have to slip it up to 10mph even empty (31,000lb) so a hill start is no fun.... and reverse is 2nd gear. Is your clutch wet or dry?? try this forum..... http://busgreasemonkey.com/ you have to send Scott an intro to join but they may have a solution for you but generally these mods cost more than the coach is worth... that will be the math you need to do.... you will not be the first 4104 driver looking for more power and gears. good luck BC Mack

"in general practice", the two fog lamps will be off one feed and switch, if one is working and no voltage on the other you may have a open circuit on that side... trace back to where the left and right lamp wires join, probably around the bumper area.... should be a simple job for a local auto sparky. your truck is not well known to north americans, locally assembled in NZ from Oz??... interesting "Renault" Quantum cabover.... BC Mack

probably not, very limited for time off, and the ferry ain't cheap... however, the "Island" is on the list as the MH worked there. BC Mack

Maiden voyage for the MH was to a local show on Saturday, never been inside the museum before so took quite a few pics for you guys... a bit jammed in but they have done well for the displays. I thought the MH was a tall truck until they parked me next to the Oshkosh.. yikes, that's a brute of a truck. BC Mack

this was part2 of the story... http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/40886-1970-mack-fl711lst/#comment-296436 however, my post has the link to the original Sept 2014 thread but it will not open for me and I ran out of "search" ideas... to jog memories for some, same ebay seller had a rare Corbitt too... I think the eventual buyer only wanted the tanker and offered back the truck, but price was still too high... nice to see it out and about, however, it would look much better with the tank and in airforce colours. BC Mack

if I am not mistaken, that truck was on ebay coupled to a ww2 era tanker trailer, sold by a trade school in Idaho?.. we had a thread going on it, I think Superdog would recollect. BC Mack

keep me posted about your trip to the great white north BC Mack

I knew I could re-purpose this old photo.... BC Mack

other dog the bus you saw is from these guys.... http://twelvetribes.org/peacemaker-bus it is a former Greyhound Scenicruiser with the roof of an Aerocoach grafted on... BC Mack