GearheadGrrrl

One would think that a company like Volvo that is a guest in this country would no better than to mess with our traditions. With the move of the main office to Volvo North America HQ in North Carolina, it's obvious that future Macks will be just Volvos with a bulldog on the hood... And the bulldog will probably be made in China.

I'd go for the Mack because unlike the Trans Am, there's the possibility you could make a little money hauling with it. Besides, the U is one of the rarer Mack models and it'd be good to see another one preserved.

I would bet it weights at least 15,000 pounds.

190 horses, IIRC.

IIRC, when the MR and MC (standard highway chassis) were introduced they were available with either the tall sliding windows or the not so tall roll up windows. For the last few years all I've seen come from the factory is the tall slider windows on the passenger side and the roll up on the driver's side. Not sure if that's simply the way Mack builds them now or just what the customers are ordering.

I've got a Ranger too- a '98 4x4 with the 3 liter V6 and automatic. The thing is unstoppable- when we get heavy snow I take it out and break trails for the neighbors with two wheel drives. Throw a thousand pounds in the back and it barely notices. Unbreakable too- at 85,000 miles all I've paid for was rear brake shoes and a new battery; Ford gave me new tires at 65,000 miles to replace the recalled Firestones. Gas mileage could be better though- due to my gimpy leg I got an automatic and the best it does is 20-22 on the highway. I've got a VW diesel car too now so I only drive the Ranger a thousand miles or so a year when the snows deep or I've got stuff to haul that won't fit in the car. Looks like my Ranger will probably be running longer than I will!

IIRC, Traask (not sure of the spelling) was one of the bakeries Metz bought out in the 70s and 80s to build their chain. Here in Minnesota Master Baking had an F model also before Metz bought them up. I believe that one was an ex-REA tractor that they got when REA went belly up. Metz seemed quite impressed with the Macks, standardizing the fleet on Fs and later MHs until they switched to the cheaper International 2300 tractors.

Superdog, we're those pictured F model daycabs former Metz Baking or REA Express trucks? Metz used a red like that.

IMHO, the RB was the most "truckly" looking of the R models, and the one I'd most like to collect. I saw some used RB tractors advertised in Illinois with 300 Maxidynes and all Mack drivetrain- perhaps I should have run down and bought one before they disappeared.

Lowest forward gear is 9.02, lowest reverse is 9.25. With the highest gear being a .60 overdrive, the T2060 gives overall reduction of just over 15 to 1.

Do you need the ability to "creep" along, like under a combine chute, etc. while loading? If so the 6 speed might not go slow enough for you. The 7 and 8 speeds were designed for applications like curb pouring and such and are as slow as they come.

Speed, if you're thinking of getting the DOT Waiver, go for it! When my MS got bad in 1991 and the company doctor wouldn't pass me on the regular physical, I got a waiver. With that waiver I was able to continue my trucking career until I retired this year. Even if you're restricted to in state operation, having a CDL would open a lot more career possibilities for you.

You can download the spec sheets with the available options on the Mack web page. You can spec the lower power option if you wish, although I don't think the MP7 is available on the axle forward CHU. There's also several transmissions available, from 6 to 18 speeds as well as automatics.

And avoid any used units with the "composite" tanks- the Postal Service had a few blow up under pressure. They were all replaced with steel tanks, but a few of the "explosive" composite ones may still be around. You can tell them by there "carbon fiber" texture.

The '97 model Postal Service tractors (66xxxxx fleet numbers) were all built with air starters.

I heartily agree- I drove a few MHs at UPS and they were miles ahead of any other cabover.

Awesome!

CX (Vision) conventional with Maxicruise and 6 speed Maxitorque for on highway or 10 speed Maxitorque if you need more reduction. Get the small sleeper- it's the lightest. I'd look for around a 4.00 ratio rears on 11-22.5 tires, that'll give you a range of 35-55 MPH in direct for the side roads and about 1500 RPM at 60 for economy on the main roads.

IIRC you can run Rocky Mountain doubles (long trailer + short trailer in Colorado and two long trailers on the Interstates East of I-25. However, the cost of a 2nd trailer and dolly may not be worth the bother. As for specs, I'd try to find a CH with the small flat top sleeper- it's nice to have the sleeper if you get stuck somewhere by bad weather, and the small sleeper doesn't add as much weight as the big hi-rise ones. I'd suggest an E7 with a 9 or 10 speed, but if it comes with a 13 or 18 that doesn't hurt. Just make sure it has an engine brake. Colorado gets lots of winter weather, so make sure it has antilock brakes and hopefully traction control too. I'd look for Mack drive axles and the Mack bogie, but you'll probably have to settle for air ride. Best of luck!

By way of a really dumb sweetheart contract the Postal Service ended up with a bunch of 3126 powered "toy Freightshakers" a few years back. Even bobtailing they were the slowest trucks in the fleet, and the slightest upgrade or headwind would have them down to 40 MPH or less.

I think I better make it to the Louisville show this year!

It's been worth the wait- our faith in Mack (and Volvo) has been rewarded!

I know the current conventionals are built by Mayflower and I believe the MR and LE are built by a company in the Quad Cities, but what company historically built Mack's cabs?