Underdog

Hey Doug, All my reference material shows the C series traffic type with the engine crank hole below the grille, and the E series with a lower mount grille and the crank hole right in the grille. I couldn't find any mention of an L but I know you must have a picture or two! Gregg

I wasn't clear on which type you needed, the standard size schrader or the small diameter sports needle. Gregg

No need to be sorry, Vinny. It is indeed a C-series "Traffic Type" from around 1936. Notice too these had suicide doors hinged at the rear. Gregg

This has gotten WAY off topic so I will attempt to steer it back by thanking Mike for the invite. My Super Liner and I will see you next Saturday. Gregg

Doug, a big reason for the change is to gain more quality home time, including my hobby trucks. Hopefully I will be out & about to more shows this summer. Looking forward to it. Gregg

I am sure I will be in Dundalk before too long, I know we pull out of there. Up til now I have been confined to the Twin Oaks rail yard in Philly. Gregg

Thought you folks might be interested to see what and how I am doing my latest adventure. Lots to learn, but so far I am enjoying the mental & physical challenge, and the boss seems happy with my progress. I have been training for 2 weeks, I don't know yet if he will cut me loose this week or not. They are very particular about how things get done so it is up to the boss when he thinks I can go on my own. I did get a truck assigned to me though, a 2004 Sterling/ Mercedes. Decent enough, but I get lost a lot without that bulldog compass needle out on the hood !!! Here is my own handiwork, a 10 car load ready to roll. I have been working local in the Philadelphia area during training.

Not the same company. This one started in Wind Gap with one Ford Louisville in 1996. Still there now with 45 trucks mostly Sterlings, the direct descendant of the Ford Louisville, now complete with Mercedes engine. With the demise of the Sterling nameplate, the latest purchase has been 3 new Freightliners. This has been one point of contention during job negotiations, as there are no Macks in the fleet, what is Underdog supposed to drive? I told head of maintenance yesterday we could install a bulldog hood ornament on one of the Sterlings for me. After all these years, that hood ornament has been like a compass needle; I don't know if I can find my way without one. Seriously though, I will be compensated very well to drive whatever the boss gives me. One thing that impresses me about this company is their attention to equipment maintenance. The boss is partial to the Sterling chassis( I will try to have an open mind and understand why) so he has made the commitment to rigorously maintain these older trucks and keep them on the road. With new car haulers costing upwards of $225,000, this part I already understand. Gregg

I appreciate the kind wishes from all, it has been a tough decision to swallow my pride and park the truck, but with my bad luck the last few months and the current state of fuel prices vs. freight rates, I need to go in a different direction. I am looking forward to the new challenge, and learning is never a bad thing. I must have been doing something right all these years, as I basically came pre-approved for the job based on the condition of my own equipment and my mechanical ability. Not bragging, just makes you feel better when somebody notices. The new job will keep me mostly in the northeast, within 300 miles of home. Not home every night, but maybe more often than I am now. That notion has the wife and child on board with the decision. No sleepers, either. I will be in motels while away. Brothers Auto Transport out of Wind Gap, PA is my new employer. They have 45 trucks throughout the northeast hauling new cars, lease returns and rental fleet movements. I am hoping they let me practice a bit on used cars first before letting me scratch up the shiny new ones! Gregg

Just when you think the book of your life has been written, a twist in the plot changes everything... After 14 years running my own truck, following a bit of bad luck (and maybe a couple bad decisions), I have made one last business decision to park my trucks and drive somebody else's truck for a while, maybe permanently if all goes as promised. I have had a standing offer to go drive a 10-car auto transporter for a small local company. I have no car hauling experience, but the owner is willing to train me his way, and the promised pay & benefits are better than what I have seen in my best years as an owner-operator. I start this new chapter on Monday. I plan on keeping a couple old Macks around just in case, if nothing more than to enjoy at my leisure as a hobby, and also that I may still qualify to participate on the BMT forums. Wish me luck. Gregg

In 2007 I replaced one side section of my Vision hood. They can be split at the visible seams. The parts are readily available from Mack, and the local auto body shop cut & replaced the section for me with no difficulty. Gregg

I don't think these trucks are visible from the road, if they are still there at all. I was around behind the building because I was there to get my trailer washed out. If you could search phone listings for food grade tank washes in Lafayette, that may be the best way to locate. Gregg

I can't say as I would be able to even find the place again, being so long ago, but I seem to recall it being on the main drag U.S. 52 / 231. Gregg

All this talk about Clariben hoods reminded me of some trucks I saw in 1999 behind a tank wash facility in Lafayette, IN. At the time, I didn't know quite what I was looking at, but knew enough that 13 years later you guys would want to see pictures. Only later did I learn about the Clariben hood and relate it to this truck in my photo: I have only ever seen reference to the Clariben being fitted to B models, but I believe this to be an LJ, looking at the cab and setback axle. Sort of reminds me of a KW; more attractive than the Clariben B's, in my opinion. Bonus C-609ST parked alongside. I know it is not a Mack, but this clean A-C 45 was at the same location. None of the employees there had any info on the trucks, and I have never been back there to see if these trucks are still around. Gregg

That's OK I never made it to Hubbard at all. Still waiting for A-town Mack to finish up on my truck. Hopefully I will have it Wed. afternoon. Gregg

Bobo, I was able to search and find a basic wiring diagram for my '84 RW online. As I recall just keyword '84 Mack wiring or something of that nature, or the highway service manual specific to your model year. That diagram has been very useful to me. I can post copies of mine, but it may be quite different than what you need for a superliner II. Gregg

The 18-speed is a possibility, now that I have the truck off the road for other repairs. I always said I would change out the super-10 if it ever gave any trouble, but the trouble is, it ain't broke yet !!! Besides the lack of available ratios, the super-10 is basically bulletproof, 1.3 million miles and counting... Gregg

Whatever color you decide, try to match something readily available in a spray can for easy scratch & dent touch up. Black, standard red, or even John Deere green. Gregg

I had doubts about my CX when I first got it for all the reasons you mention, Rob. The MH I had prior was Mack axles on camelback. However, the CX (spicer DS40 axles) has proven to be a good all around truck on and off road. The one thing I would change is the super-10 transmission. A pleasure to drive on the highway, but a lower starting gear and top end splits would be nice. I don't get in too deep, but do my share of landfills and as long as I keep good drive tires, no towhooks required. Gregg

I should be getting the Superliner out of the shop late Monday evening or Tuesday morning. Hope to be headed west before noon Tuesday, on my way to Wabash, IN. 5.5 hrs from home to Hubbard puts me there at 5 o'clock somewhere. Gregg

I don't want to step on any toes, I am far from being an expert, but will someone please explain why air ride on a dump truck is wrong? I pull a 40 ft. spread axle dump trailer all on air and simply drop the bags on tractor and trailer when dumping, negating any instability issue of the airbags. I would think you could do the same with a dump valve on a straight truck. Gregg

Thanks for asking, Trey. I got into some repairs right away, but that has to be expected for a 28 year old truck. The local Mack garage will be done with the head gaskets Monday, then back on the road hopefully without further interruption. I need to run my but off to pay for it all! I didn't want to spend that money right now, but coolant in the oil can get much more expensive later if let go too long. Also they have gone over the injection pump, nothing major there just resealing the barrels and rebuild the governor. I am looking forward to driving this truck as now it will run like an E9 should, with no oil leaks and less smoke. I might even make it to the next meeting at Truck World Tuesday afternoon. I still rather have a broke down old Superliner than a new Freightshaker lol. Gregg

Don't feel bad, Olive. I bought a lot of things I like and I am deeper into nowhere than when I started, only now I have less money. Gregg

I usually use a suitable ratchet strap slung under the bellhousing between the framerails. It is adjustable and you won't have a jack or stand taking up floorspace. I assume that you are using a truck transmission jack to support the trans.? Gregg

I know mine will be there, Dave. And I will work on Eric this summer to get his out there too. Gregg