Underdog

Other Dog, If you are not careful, You will run into Underdog one of these days... I am up & down that stretch of RT. 2 in WV once or twice every week. I have a regular stop in Friendly, WV. Stop in at Choo Choo's restaurant in New Martinsville if you see me there I'll buy breakfast. No need to photograph me, the Friendly Post Office already has a profile of my face on their wall... Gregg

Any major issues with these trucks( camshaft, turbo, rocker shafts) have probably been done already on a truck with that many miles, Maybe even overhauled. My own truck is a 2000 CX with a E-tech 427 with 1,170,000. No surprises. Good reliable runner with regular maintenance I have had since new, no overhaul yet, original transmission & rears. If the truck you are considering looks clean and well maintained, miles are not an issue. In the long run, a 2001 or older (pre EGR) would be a wise choice. I have no plans to replace my 2000, as I see nothing in the current marketplace any more reliable. Gregg

If the suspension is original to the truck, the easiest way to order parts is to take the truck VIN number to the Mack dealer to get the parts. Price is usually competitive. Mack will refer to it as the main support member. Do yourself a favor and get new U-bolts, nuts, washers and conical seats too as the old ones should not be used over, especially if they have been heated. I have learned to keep all these parts on hand to do a quick change on the weekend. This is not a difficult job with proper tools. The method that works best for me is to jack up both sides to keep the truck level, remove tires from both sides, support the frame and let the axle drop to give clearance to replace the leaf. I use a small floor jack under the axle to line everything up. Also make sure the U-bolts are tight, preferably torqued to spec, and check again after a few days running. Loose bolts are the main reason for spring breakage. Gregg

I take offense to that! Don't drag me into this. BTW once an UNDERDOG always an UNDERDOG I don't need any politician's help to stay this way. Gregg

I got stuck in Albany for 36 hrs. last year and spent some quality time at the Plaza 23 truckstop there. The owner of midland Farms also owns the truckstop, as well as the green RL-700. I got up close and personal with that truck, originally a V-8 Mack according to the serial number, but repowered with a Detroit 8V92. As I recall, the current owner got it as is not too long ago and thoroughly enjoys it. I remember seeing this truck advertised for sale several years ago; It was formerly a log truck in the Pacific Northwest, and the current owner corroborates this. Gregg

I wouldn't mind being on the hook with that one.

The same tree huggers that forced all the EPA crap on the trucks won't let us burn coal or drill for our own oil. Meanwhile their electric cars and ethanol create more pollution than my diesel truck.

If I recall correctly that was the Skyliner Diner at exit 10 south of Cortland. Straight across from the get-off ramp. I ate there a few times before it was gone. Prolly close to 10 years ago now. Don't be looking for the Shenandoah Truckstop at exit #186 west of Cambridge, OH., either. Gone, leveled, empty lot. It was open again recently under new ownership, but now gone for good. Gregg

Hopefully crotchless, to avoid aggravating the golf balls affliction.

The show in Harford is a good one, lots of fun and good folks. The Penn-Can is still the best place to stop between Scranton & Bingo. Scott 60 was closed for a couple years due to the economy, now I see is open again, I haven't been in to check it out yet. Bingham's Diner at exit 211 burned down last year, the owner is rebuilding, hopefully open again by summer. Gibson Truck Plaza at exit 219 was put under when Flying Jerk opened at the same exit. I don't run up that way as much as I used to, as most of our NY freight has dried up. Funny our main terminal is just west of Syracuse and I almost never go up there anymore.

At my first full time job as a mechanic, the company had an R-600 single axle with a Holmes 750, used only to serve our own fleet. Neat old truck, I enjoyed learning and operating that unit. The only problem was with a load on the sling, the steer axle was not on the ground very much. Gregg

I saw diesel for $3.99 in PA this week, I am sure it is higher in New York and New England. Thank goodness for fuel surcharge, but I am not sure how much our economy can withstand. A rather humorous side note: One of my colleagues recently purchased a 2012 KW W900L and is rather disappointed so far with the cost of operation for this beast. (Go figure!!!) Last week this fellow told me he would be asking our company for a DEF (diesel exhaust fluid) surcharge! I replied, "good luck with that, let me know how that goes for you." In this day and age we are lucky to get the fuel surcharge.

I recognized myself in there! Thanks for posting the video. I don't often get to step back and watch my own truck in action. Gregg

Ask Tiger Woods about golf balls after the wife chased him down with a 9-iron... Gregg

Bonnet for our friends in Oz. I always thought you would look better in a bonnet, Rob.

Nice looking unit, Doug. You seem to have developed a thing for wreckers. Not that there is anything wrong with that... Gregg

Now I am jealous! Now you have a long hood and I don't have any! I do like the metal dash in the old R's and F's Good luck with your new truck. Hope to meet you at some shows this summer. Gregg

People like that are unable to assess a situation quickly and make a judgement based on the information. Therefore, they have no business merging onto a highway in the first place. My unscientific research also indicates that most idiotic behavior has some sort of electronic distractive device attached to it as well. Gregg

They are bookends for now... The one that just arrived was also originally red so that makes it even closer to my 1963. I have to get with the museum to know for sure but these two F's may be related somehow. Similar spec's and also similar maintenance practices over the years makes me think they were housed in the same garage. My plan is for the 785 to be an air-ride twin screw. My 607 is too nice an original truck to cut and modify so that is why I just had to go out and find another. Gregg

I wonder about my own sanity at times, especially this week after bringing home another truck. But Robb, the host of the show, made some good points about collecting and "rescuing" the old trucks. They are a part of history and it is a worthy pasttime. I also realized that guy is crazier than me, restoring a Ford W cabover... good luck finding parts for that one! I don't think there are too many left. Gregg

Never saw one this style, but the windshield and grille look like a Diamond T profile.

With a little help, we made it home.

They should put the Volvo in front, then both drivers could see down the road! Gregg

Name: Mack F785T (1970) Date Added: 21 February 2011 - 12:35 PM Owner: Underdog Short Description: None Provided View Vehicle Adopted another Bulldog Saturday. Single axle tractor similar to my 1963 F. Things didn't go entirely as planned. I drove this truck 50 miles to get it home, but the last 5 were on the hook with a locked up differential, probably due to low oil level. I am surprised we made it as far as we did. Gregg