JTFormula

Hey everyone. Since I went to the Macungie show, I have renewed my interest in a B Mack, especially wreckers. I did a very bad thing and joined this site which my interest now turned into an infatuation and obsession. I found one on craigslist local to me. Apparently the owner doesn't know much about the truck. Here is a response to an email I sent to him asking various questions like gear ratio, status of running, body and glass condition etc: "The best thing is to come up and see it. I don't know much about trucks. It has a clear title. mostly surface rust. glass looks ok. it ran but I don't think you can start it with out batteries, and a gas line. It has a 10 speed trans I think (2 sticks) The rest you will have to tell me what it has. Gears?? Tom" Here is the ad: http://newjersey.cra...3028450535.html My problem is I am not very knowledgeable about these things yet. I have no idea how to ID the rear, engine, etc. What are the common issues I should check out on the truck and anything else I should know about to look for. Condition of body, wiring etc. I have no problems with. That's the same general stuff I know what to look for with classic cars. Its the more Mack related things I am too much of a Noob to know. I am planning on going to see this beast within a week or so. Also, what do would the weight of the truck would be? I am guessing 8,000lbs + another 2,000-2500lbs for the wrecker body? I might be able to borrow a buddy's tow truck to get it back home but I think I'll have to flat tow it since he has a 1 ton wrecker. I don't know if it will fit on his International Lo-Pro flat bed or if its rated for that kind of load.

Welcome to the site. Like everyone said we would love to see pictures if you have them. Also and good road stories. That many years behind the wheel, you have to have some interesting ones.

I got a jersey girl and she has big hair to boot.

It would be a crime to restore such a beautiful survivor. It can only be original once. To keep the truck in this condition for 85 years takes special care and love. By doing a restoration you remove all of its history and mojo. Just think of all the people who have touched and drove this thing in almost a century. Very cool AC and I commend you for leaving it as is.

I got a good shot of that Sightliner from the front. What an oddball but cool:

I just found this thread. Now I know I am in the right place! NObama!

One of my favoite lines from the movie: "But they're all following you" "No, they ain't. I'm just in front of them."

I can check this out for someone out of state if they need. I am less then an hour from the seller. Good excuse to take the motorcycle for a ride. Just a quick question, when was the last time this thing actually ran? It is intriguing me.

I contacted the seller, just waiting to hear back. Still have to keep my options open. I am also looking to buy a rollback flatbed with a wheel lift for actual use, not just a toy. Sorry to get off topic... back to the Macungie Show with you in the studio live at 5 with weather on the 8's...

Do you know if they have an other wreckers they were selling? I got pics of the Brockway and the Orange B wrecker at the show. Heck I think I took pictures of every tow truck there. As you can guess I am a tow truck enthusiast. I'd love to get a nice single axle unit.

I actually saw one Of these on 33 south in PA today. Dark blue with the mixed spinning. Cool little truck

If I knew how to get there I would go. Problem is that was probably around 7 years ago when I was there and i don't remember how to get back. I was hoping to find the house VIA google maps seeing if I can see any houses with 50 cars in the yard but I didn't see anything. I know he had a KW and a Cabover Pete at his house back then but who knows what/where those are as well. I called a couple cruiser guys I know hoping someone knows where he is at or can get a number. Lets see what happens. Mean while I might go take a look at that crusty one from CL.

Only years for the RR convertible was 1968-1970. Now they can change hands from $35,000 up to $100,000+ for a Hemi car. I am a little discouraged as I called the phone number again for the yard that had the yellow B Wrecker and I got someone else who apparently has the phone number now and is not happy people are still calling for parts. LOL. One thing that concerns me is I did a Google maps search and found the yard was empty now. I know his house it not too far from the junk yard as I have been to his house in the past but I don't remember how to get there. I know he used to keep a lot of stuff for himself so hopefully when he cleaned out the yard, he kept the wrecker. Looks like the search is on. Here is the screen shot that made my heart sink

Welcome from a fellow newbie

Oh yeah, we've had a couple. Cool cars. LOOONNGGG>>> nose on those things. Mopars tend to be a bit rattlely but I dig them. My favorite Mopar is a 69 Charger (General Lee!). We had one of those last year. Sold it and shipped it to Canada to a Dodge dealership up north. This was that car: Back to trucks. I was wondering if there was anyone in NJ that wouldn't mind showing me their B-Mack and some of the things I should look for when I go look at one. Cars I know well but these big beasts are a totally different animal. I always thought they were cool but I never really had the opportunity to really check them out, sit in one, drive one, etc. Now I am not expecting anyone to let me drive one but just a little mentoring would be highly appreciated. Going blindly into a purchase is the worst thing to do. My three rules for buying: 1. No idea leads to poor decisions 2. A little education is dangerous 3. Lots of knowledge can result in wild unstoppable purchasing. Just remember, its not a collection if you only have one.

Yup, 67 GTX. 440 power too. Neat car. I've been selling classic cars for 12 years. I seen and drove just about every classic/muscle out there. Now its time to do something different and go the truck route. Oh.. and when I was around 13-16 years old my uncle got me a membership to the ATHS. Everytime a magazine would come in, I would read it from front to back. I blame him for my love of big trucks. Now that I am turning 40, I can actually make it happen.

Was that the kid with the camera and tripod?

I remember that dude pulling in. That thing turned heads and was LOUD! JumperAndSon - If you need a good video converter without the water mark, Google "Any Video Converter" - That's the actual name of the program. Does what its supposed to do and you don't have some water mark going across the video the whole time. Best part is it's free.

I guess I'll keep that as my own secret... I should tell my brother in law. He is a Two Stroke fanatic. He believes everything with a motor should be two stroke.

I can't drop the Camaro off because it's a 69 Firebird. The bird went to CT and the GTX to Mass. It would have been nice to get two cars on the way back to pay the way but at the time we weren't set up with dispatch services.

I called the old number for the wrecking yard. I left a message so lets see if I get a call back. The number is still good which is a positive sign. I also was thinking of I can't find a good old wrecker, I would consider a 5th wheel tractor so I can haul a three car trailer. I work for a classic car dealership and sometimes I get on the road to do some delivery's. Its a nice change from sitting at a desk trying to sell something. Here is a picture of the shop truck we had with our two car trailer. Its not a B but at least it was a cool ride, diesel, and 22.5 wheels.

So far I have found everyone on this site very friendly and helpful. I wasn't quite sure what to expect since I am not a driver or own a Mack. But I have always found truckers and truck people to be the best folks around. Always friendly and always helpful. You'll see me around and hopefully I'll meet up with some of you guys at the next show.

Other dog, thanks for the picture. Looks about the right size too. I can't get anything to big simply for lack of room. I found one on Craigslist last night as well: http://newjersey.craigslist.org/cto/3028450535.html Lots of surface rust but if everything is solid it might have potential.

Thanks for the warm welcome. I remembered there was an old wrecker at a local classic junk yard in Jackson NJ. I think the place is closed now but I hear the cars are still there. He had this thing sitting in the middle of all the cars. I asked about it once. The guy John (owner of the yard) said it ran but hasn't been started in a while. I wonder if its still in there. I might have to hop on the motorcycle and take a ride out there. Here is a picture I took a few years ago.

Hello everyone, I have always loved trucks since I was a kid. I don't have a CDL or a commercial truck but always appreacated them. When I was in my twenties, I had a job at a tire company delivering tires to accounts. I was either driving a pickup or a UD Box truck. I found I loved being on the road. After 6 months I decided to try to get a job at a towing company or get my CDL. As fate would have it, I got a towing job and never got my CDL. I worked for a towing company for about 4 years 1996-2000 and drove International flatbeds (under CDL) and had a C30 Wrecker myself as well. Now for the past 12 years I worked for a classic car dealership in sales. I always loved the B-Macks and would like to find an old wrecker to redo. I was at the Macungie Truck show for the first time over the weekend and I think that got my juices flowing for an old truck to redo. I found this site and joined. I don't know what/when/if I go jump into this but at the very least, I can learn some stuff about these trucks through this site. For me the learning process is the most exciting, next to the restoration process. Thats my story and thanks!