doubleclutchinweasel

Sorry, Mike! Some folks call me "Kent". Not everybody is open to the entire "Weasel" experience!

Vinny, This is the U685ST (on the frame VIN and the door plate) which has been converted to an R model. It is in the Norfolk, VA area. Last time I spoke with the owner, he was writing out a bill-of-sale, so it may well be gone. Again, makes you think...doesn't it?!! Kent

Okay, guys & gals, As I stated in my intro page, I am looking to buy or build an R model. I am looking for a few specifics, but also have a lot of leeway in the final configuration. So, here goes! See if any of y'all can assist. First off, this WILL NOT be a work truck. This is a truck show and parade truck. I want to buy or build a 1977 or older (read that; "antique") Mack R600. I want to go single-axle. I would prefer a light, single-rail frame, if at all possible. Light front axle (i.e.: FA 534) is a plus. I prefer dual-reduction rears (RAD 529, for instance), but could be persuaded to go single-reduction. Taller gears and overdrive are a must. I could even work with an R400, as the frames are identical, as far as I can tell. I can go Thermodyne power, with Triplex or Quadruplex box. Or I can handle Maxidyne power, with Maxitorque box. I would even consider a Fuller box, but I'd prefer to stay all-dog. I have a cohort who claims he can lay his hands on a good, later-model cab. So, I would definitely consider a truck with body cancer as a starting point, if the rest was good. NC is a "frame state", so a title matching the frame number is a big plus. I hope this puts me in a market the "exporters" aren't interested in. They prefer heavy camelback trucks. So, if you have anything like this that you want to part with, and see it in a good home, let me know! Kent

All, Here is one of the oddballs I saw. This truck is an F685T (both on the frame and on the...uh..."transplanted" VIN plate. The cab is an older CA36 "steel dash" piece, and the hood is a somewhat later model with the external grille on it. So, it's kind of a mutt. "Dale" at the mack museum said that the majority of the holes in the frame for locating the various components were common, and that things like cab mount brackets were model-specific. The reason I am asking if anyone has personally dome this swap os that I have found F-model trucks with good frames, but little else, and may have located an R or two which need frames. Of course, like j hancock said, I would be infinitely better off if I could locate an R that is equipped the way I want. I'm just trying to keep my options open! Kent

Vinny, the files are pretty big to upload many of them. Is there any particular angle or detail I can try to upload? Or would you like me to send you some directly? Kent

umodelnut, I will forward you pictures shortly of the two oddballs.

I agree, J. It's best to start close to the mark. But, sometimes you find weird stuff! I have a friend in the parts business who is trying to help me with this project. I would like to post his contact information, in case it would help somebody else. Where would be the best place to post that information?

Yes, J. I have beer. But I prefer Old Forester over ice! Thanks, slpwlkr!

Well, I could go one of two ways. If I can come up with an R611, I would be tickled. If not, I'm thinking something like an R685. In either case, I'd like to stay "light"...single rear axle, single-rail frame (if possible), lightest ("softest") springs. I can almost spec the thing out, if you'd like! I really like the pre-73 (CA36) cabs, but those are hard to find in good condition. So, I'm probably going to end up with a later model truck, or at least a later model (CA 49) cab. I like the very late "galvanized" cabs, due to their longevity. Oh, and I want a 77 or earlier frame, as this qualifies it for "antique" status here in NC. My facilities here for doing the major work are very limited (which sucks!), so I'm looking for as complete a unit as I can find.

Seems like the change to the new interior (and longer cab) was in '73, dockmen027. But, I have seen both types listed as '73 models. I guess it wasn't a clean break. And, oh boy! The great color discussion! That has been discussed A LOT. Seems like there was a good bit of variation; even more on the B-models. I believe that truck on oldmacks was actually painted with one of the B-model colors. MOST of the Rs I've seen were a more pale green...almost "school bus interior green". On that same site (OM388, I believe) there is another R600 with an "original" colored interior. I actually went there to look at/buy that truck, but it wasn't as good in person as it was on the web!

LOL! Funny, hatcity! That seems to be the way it is everywhere, though.

I don't recall ever seeing those gauges "way back when". The first time I saw a setup like that was in the '90s, I believe. But, who knows! Stranger things have happened. Dennis Meehan at www.oldmacks.com has a nicely restored R-model with a dash like that in it (see OM400). The original gauge holes in the dash appear to have been filled with some type of plugs. Looks good. I suppose it COULD be factory. Or, it may be a really nice after-market kit.

Hey, VInny. Glad to hear that you and your grandpa have a project! Looks like a pretty solid truck. I have twin 2-year-old grandsons myself. I hope, when I can get my truck built, they will enjoy it as well. Kent

Hi, everybody. I'm Kent, from Marion, NC. My handle is "doubleclutchinweasel". Maybe some of you are old enough to remember where that line came from! Back in my youth (let's not discuss how long ago), I spent some time hauling heavy equipment with a Mark R611ST (225 H.P. Thermodyne and 18-speed Quadruplex) hitched to a Hyster tri-axle lowboy. I never thought, the last time I got out of that truck would actually be the LAST TIME I ever got out of that truck. Maybe some of y'all know what I mean! So, recently, I have undertaken an endeavor to find/restore/build my own antique Mack. I have spent the past few months doing research, and trying to make good contacts in the Mack world. Some of the folks I have met have been very helpful. Others have been much less so! Whatever. I guess it takes all kinds. Or, we HAVE all kinds, and feel compelled to find a place for them all! I recently joined the ATHS, and have met a few fine folks there. I have made a few rather long trips to look at potential trucks to use in the project. I still don't have the first piece bought! But, I do have sources located for lots of the pieces. So, with the help of some of the folks I've met, I may be onto something fairly soon. I hope so, anyway. I'm looking forward to chatting with you folks here, and picking your brains! And, I hope I can be of some help (or at least some entertainment) to some of y'all some time! More to come... Kent

Greetings, all! I am in the planning stages of building an antique Mack R-model truck. I have already done much research, and have met several folks in the business (some very helpful, others...not so much!). I had planned to build what would essentially be an R611T, with the ENDT-673 Thermodyne and an 18-speed Quadruplex. This would essentially duplicate (on a somewhat lighter scale) the truck I drove (too many) years ago. But, it looks like it will be easier to build an R685T, as there are more ENDT-675 Maxidyne engines and Maxitorque transmissions available. Oh, well! I have recently seen, in person, an "R" truck on a U685 chassis and another on an F685 chassis. This, along with some comments from one of the more helpful gents at the Mack museum, makes me think that the basic chassis of all 3 of these models are the same, with crossmembers and other components positioned as-needed for the various models. Does anyone have direct, personal experience with swapping cabs & frames between these F, U, and R model trucks? Thanks!