Underdog

Don't fight with the boss; you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar. Use the Jedi mind trick and say "you will buy a new TITAN." BTW, while you are in the bosses mind, ask him which UPS truck did he steal your drive wheels from?

Welcome to the forum, Basil700, glad to have you aboard. Plenty of info to share here from a wide variety of contributors. The more the merrier, I say!

TransEdge owns the dealership in Allentown as well, where many of the post production mods are done. The Blue Mt. branch garage has some good guys for hydraulics though. This is where my wetline was installed when my truck was new even though I bought it in Allentown.

I don't know about Florida's axle laws, but the tri-axle setup as pictured is common in PA legal for 73,280 gross and NJ legal for 80,000 gross. The boost-a-load that you describe Rob is what we call a "flying tag". Funny how different terms arise from different locations across our great land.

Since it is not the original engine in your chassis, you should be able to take the engine number to your local dealer to get any filters you need. If not try to use the chassis number from the donor truck.The complete filter kit should still be available for the 237. I find that the complete kit from Mack is generally the least expensive way to buy filters anyway. Macks use the same filters for many years up until the E7/E-TECH went to metric threads with a stripe on the filters. Extended service interval don't matter for water filters; the only different water filter is for extended life coolant(pink)

Looks pretty good in the pictures, Gary. Good luck with the project. I'm not too familiar with the fire apparatus, but the open cab is really cool and any Bulldog is definitely worth saving!

These look destined to become redi-mix trucks.I can't identify the location from the photos, but about 40 miles from Macungie as you say could put these mixer chassis in Morgantown, PA. the home of McNeilus Mfg. builder and installer of concrete mixer and trash packer bodies and equipment.

From what I have gathered so far in this debate, the main advantage to SCR is decreased underhood temperatures. The increasing temperatures resulting from EGR has been an issue since 2002 when EGR began. Not only cooling the actual engine, but also the effects of heat on belts, hoses and electronics. By lowering the percentage of EGR and aftertreating emmisions utilizing SCR in the exhaust, the temperature underhood can be reduced. My first reaction to SCR was one of dismissal, but after educating myself on PRO's and CON's of EGR vs. SCR, in my humble opinion SCR is the best solution to this latest mandate. This is one area where Volvo has provided a benefit to Mack customers. These SCR systems have been in use in Europe for some time now. Most of the R&D work is already done. Remember who created this mess in the first place- YOUR federal government! Let's not be mad at the manufacturers; they are doing their best to keep up with the program set before them.

I thought I had something worthwhile to contribute, but my brain is now on overload from all the $5 words. Thank you, Dear Leader.

I think on this forum you may get opinions mostly biased toward the Mack E9. I'm sure in the right hands of a builder experienced in his particular engine, both the E9 and the 8V92 would be formidable competitive race engines Human nature is such that we scorn that which we do not understand. The Detroit guys only know about the Detroit engines, so they are afraid of anything different. Same goes for Mack E9, not bad just different. The Detoit Diesel, being of 2-stroke design is quite a different beast. These engines have served their intended purpose well for many years, but in my experience, few people have taken the time to educate themselves regarding operation and maintenance. As common as the 2-strokers once were, not many people really understand how they work. The Mack E9 is a more conventional 4-stroke design but also has its quirks. Any piece of equipment requires proper use and care, perhaps more so with the V8 engines compared to an inline 6. My point is that any engine will perform well if the proper operation and maintenance is followed. Most "problems" result from abuse or neglect. A good operator will be in tune with his or her piece of equipment and the desired task will be completed without incident. This is true for race engines as well. Build it right and drive it right it will last. As for preference, stick to what you are familiar with. Sort of the old FORD vs. CHEVY debate. E9 vs. 8V92? Niether better, just different.

Welcome to the forum Mackmann. I'm not too far from you, probably see you out on the road sometime. Post up some pics of your Granite so I can spot you!

THAT SURE WAS ONE FINE LOOKING MH I HAVE A 91 WITH A 500+ IN IT AND IT IS A GOOD TRUCK . DO YOU KNOW WERE YOURS ENDED UP I am sorry to say, but the salesman informed me that my truck and one other MH were delivered to Port Newark, NJ and loaded on a ship to Africa, final destination- Congo. I cannot verify this 100%, so if anyone ever finds MH613 serial #6944 please drop me a note.

I have thus far avoided this conversation in an effort to maintain my "higher standard"

There are kits available for road trucks to soften up the front end. They involve removing some spring leaves and then an adjustable airbag is installed to maintain the weight rating. Donvel is the most heavily advertised brand name but I'm sure there are others. If you are inclined, you probably could fab your own setup like this. Same with the cab air ride. The DM's had air cabs; I bet the parts would work, maybe with a spacer if the cab sits higher on the frame.

I consider myself a truly fortunate man. My passion has always been trucks, and to make my living doing what I enjoy is what makes life bearable. And to share the trip with a life partner is icing on the cake, perhaps most appreciated as we get older. I know I would not be where I am today without "Polly"(aka Andrea) to keep me on the straight road. She knows it too, because I tell her all the time. I always enjoyed the sound of the V8's, but you are right. That END673 in my F sings a pretty sweet song, too. Just got my title and antique plates from PENNDOT in this morning's mail so that one is legal now. Maybe we'll go for a ride to celebrate since work is kinda slow and I'm still at home.

Sounds like something Freightliner Corp. would do. They are all about the bottom line and it shows in the quality (or lack thereof) of their products.

I had a couple chats on the site today that prompted me to post my story here. The story of Underdog's first truck. You can see pics of my MH in my galleries. This truck was pretty famous around my town, owned by a local trucker, but it seemed lots of guys had stories about driving it. At the time, that V8 Mack was king of the hill. I got to know the truck and the owner in 1998, when I worked at a concrete block plant where he would deliver sand in a dump and take block out on a flatbed. No mistaking that sound of the E9 climbing the hill into the plant! As I passed by his shop one day, the MH was parked out front for sale. I couldn't believe it. Nobody in town thought that truck would ever go for sale. I swung in there to talk to the man, and we made a pretty quick deal, but it took me a few weeks to get the money arranged. (This was the first of many tests of faith for Sweet Polly.) I had never owned a truck before, but hell, I was learning fast! The rest they say is history. I must have learned my lessons (albiet some the hard way), here I am 10 years later still going at it. (I thank God each day Sweet Polly has stuck by my side through it all!) I ran that MH for 2 years, 1 pulling pneumatic dry tank, and 1 pulling end dump, which I still do today. I still try to tell myself I made a wise business decision by trading to my current truck, a 2000 CX Vision. Good truck all around, much better fuel mileage, lots of room in the bunk, but just doesn't stir the emotions the way that Ultraliner V8 did. Oh well, I guess our first love is the one we always remember best...(the truck and Sweet Polly)

How'd you know I got a soft spot for MH cabovers? You snuck that one in there with all those big trucks. I'd like to see that twin steer KW with the body insalled. Impressive.

Looks like OSHKOSH uses a Freightliner cab and maybe some other pieces. Longevity in severe duty would be a concern for me. In my experience, the FL cabs and interiors don't really hold up well in "normal" highway service. Probably the poorest excuse for doors ever installed on any truck.