Rob

I'll have to look in the files as I had a driver get tickets for each infraction. Once driving one of my carriers without an air brake endorsement, the other for pulling a gooseneck trailer with a load of steel licensed for 20k in his own pickup truck. Rob

Met with the appraiser yesterday afternoon and he is going to work with me pretty fair on this deal. He knows the mechanical care the truck has received and how I've used/abused it the entire life cycle. I was looking close at it this afternoon and she is really punched in the lower cowl area which was getting rusty so gave way easily. It was prolly time for the truck to be rotated through but I wasn't quite ready to throw in the towel yet. I may retain it for the driveline cause it really is in good shape. The V10 engine really pulls strong but is hard on fuel. Never got much over 10mpg empty. Rob

If the truck has air brakes no matter the GVW, it will require a CDL as will anything you pull a trailer with licensed over 10,001 pounds Rob.The post is confusing. If the trailer you are pulling is licensed for 10,001 or greater you need a class A CDL to pull it. A truck/tractor if equipt with air brakes requires a CDL to drive it. There are exceptions such as farm usage and a couple of others. Rob

They are 34,000# with lightweight components, (aluminum). Rob

It was getting bad in the late 70's for certain. Haven't been down there in about four years now and do need to return next class I have in OKC. I'll get in touch with you too. If you see that SOB "cousin Bob", you tell him I'll be looking for his ass too. Rob

Rob Women Turkey Call.wmv

I've seen several crankshafts broken there, and more toward the rear on the E6 series of engine. Usually this is from driver's asking for more than the engine was designed to deliver,(a.k.a. heavy foot). No disrespect intended as I don't know the application. Most of the ones I've actually seen and worked on have be vocational type trucks such as dump, mixers, spreaders, etc. that are usually a lot of start and stop with heavy loading. Age, fatigue, stress, and overtorque, and vibration, (as from a defective harmonic balancer) all play into the equation as to why this can happen. If the crankshaft suddenly snapped, and the engine did not effectively chew itself apart, you may be able to install a reman kit into the existing block with minimal work. I would however use a micrometer on everything including the main saddles, rod bearing journals, etc. Also use a new or reman harmonic balancer on the front of the engine upon reassembly. Rob

We're gonna have to get you a 700 Mark. You ain't gettin any younger you know. Rob

You might have someone that is familiar with the drivetrain your truck has drive it to verify everything is as it should be. It is hard to learn on new and unfamiliar equipment if it itself is flawed. Most Mack dealers will willingly drive your truck as a courtesy for evaluation as it is good business practice. Rob

Glad to hear it is seemingly a simple fix. Feeling like an idiot is not that bad. I do it routinely; you get used to it. I also have perfected the art of looking stupid and I advise you don't try to emulate that. Rob

If you was "Dazed" along with confused, you'd be just like me. I have all my trucks plated as antiques and have done this so many times, when I walk into the DMV, (Secretary of State's Office here) it is expected I'll be plating another antique. It is not that hard, perserverance is the key here. Press your intentions and keep talking to people until they agree. Rob

It's that "snooze and lose" type of thing Larry........ Rob

You've been busy since I seen it last. Rob PS: I have another class coming up in Aurora next month. If you're around we'll do dinner, (again). Rob

In 1986, Peter Davies was on holiday in Kenya after graduating from Northwestern University . On a hike through the bush, he came across a young bull elephant standing with one leg raised in the air. The elephant seemed distressed, so Peter approached it very carefully. He got down on one knee, inspected the elephants foot, and found a large piece of wood deeply embedded in it. As carefully and as gently as he could, Peter worked the wood out with his knife, after which the elephant gingerly put down its foot. The elephant turned to face the man, and with a rather curious look on its face, stared at him for several tense moments.. Peter stood frozen, thinking of nothing else but being trampled. Eventually the elephant trumpeted loudly, turned, and walked away. Peter never forgot that elephant or the events of that day. Twenty years later, Peter was walking through the Chicago Zoo with his teenaged son. As they approached the elephant enclosure, one of the creatures turned and walked over to near where Peter and his son Cameron were standing. The large bull elephant stared at Peter, lifted its front foot off the ground, then put it down. The elephant did that several times then trumpeted loudly, all the while staring at the man. Remembering the encounter in 1986, Peter could not help wondering if this was the same elephant. Peter summoned up his courage, climbed over the railing, and made his way into the enclosure. He walked right up to the elephant and stared back in wonder. The elephant trumpeted again, wrapped its trunk around one of Peter legs and slammed him against the railing, killing him instantly. Probably wasn't the same elephant... Rob

Funny you mention the 2006 Silverado with the 6.0. My service truck at work is the same thing but a 2500 series with a "Knapheid" utility bed. The thing really lacks power and is hard pressed to see 10mpg empty. I put my skid steer behind it on it's trailer and I get passed by everybody due to lack of acceleration. Rob

You met ole "cousin Bob"? I ain't seen that SOB since he let one of the shop cats get pregnant, and left in a hurry with the toilet stopped up. This just after I threw him a twenty to go get me some fuel. Come to think of it, my yellow fuel can is missing too. He must be the reason the gorilla left and headed your ways down south. Coincidence eh? I think not. Rob

I've seen a lot of the NV4500 series transmission broken when used hard. The problem you are experiencing is not guaranteed failure but I've seen a few failure just as you mention. The six speed trans that replaced the five speed is an improvement to both the gear spread, and the durability but it is still reletively new in the marketplace. The four speed automatic in the Dodge just didn't belong there. With the V10 gas engine and even a light load behind, it was best to lock out the overdrive as this locked the converter, adjusted the shift points, and actually improved the economy, (loaded only). A five speed automatic, or manual transmission would have been a much better fitment as I used the truck. Rob

Thanks, If we could use my trailer it has a shallow approach incline and a Tulsa worm gear winch. I think the winch is only 10,000# but with a good snatch block it would get it up there should it be needed. I've had that winch for years and it really is strong for it's size. Rob

As mentioned there are probably gate, or ball valves in the cooling lines for the heater core shut off. Many do this in the summer so the air conditioner works better not fighting the heat from the engine coolant. You may also have cable, or blending door problems. I don't know on that series of truck how the HVAC system is operated but if not something as simple as a valve being closed, you should probably let the selling dealer into the mix for possible help with the repair(s) needed. Rob

Thanks to all for the replies and evaluations. When I purchased the "Trusty, yet Crusty" Dodge new in March, 1996 I couldn't then justify the upcharge for the diesel engine given many of the factors cited in this thread. At the time, the truck was my daily commuter, but as time went on and I exited the towing/hauling business selling off the carriers, it became strictly a workhorse for me. The replacement truck will fill the same need. I'm not looking for a commuter truck but rather something to work. As part of mine and my wife's conversation last evening we, (believe this shit) share in the desire to have a B model fill this role. Given that I have a nice single axle cab and chassis, a single axle air ride cutoff that will be a slip fit with 3.70 gears, a vintage underdash air conditioner, power steering. power window add on kits, and a whole bunch of new/rechromed ornamentation, this may be a viable option. Although it runs very well, I don't think I'd be interested in retaining the original engine but would rather go with a small Cummins, or DT-466 series at about 250 horses to do the job. Being all mechanical I'd be able to maintain it myself. I have a few different transmissions with both SAE#1, and SAE#2 bells on them. If I could find a small engine with a #1 bell, I'd used the double over triplex that is in the truck now. Thanks for the help. Rob

That is kinda where I'm at with it also. I guess after speaking at length with them a lot of items are not original to the truck meaning normal maintenance items. I get the impression their equipment is very well maintained. Being a former log hauler I'd bet it is geared pretty low. It also has an "underdrive/direct" Mack transmission so geared for pulling no doubt. Let's continue to evaluate the hauling of this unit cause it really is probably best. Rob

Don't do that. I used to "plink" them when out in Fallon NV for electronic warfare schools with a varmit rifle. Might make the gorilla mad not having something to cuddle with when randyp is out on one of his "walkabouts". Rob

Thanks Randy. I'm assured the truck would make the "jaunt" across country with fresh fuel and batteries. It was only in service almost a year after being built into what it is now, (fire suppression) unit. I'm asking for a close up evaluation before proceding further with that thought as it has sat idle for five years. Rob

Thanks Mike. This one did not come without a "deal" so to speak with my wife neither. Not that she would divorce me but she rather enjoys the infliction of pain upon my ass and divorce would not allow that any longer. Actually the deal was that I'd sell the white winch truck, 1980 R612ST, or one of the B models, (no way) so the decision to sell the winch truck was made to allow for this purchase. Rob

Made the purchase tonight. Rob