hicrop10 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 As I have said before in other post that I was restoring my B873SX tractor that has been in the family since new.Well here are some pictures of what I have done sofar.I have removed the seats,floor mats,heater and some of the floor panals.As you can see from the pic the cab floor is not that bad.The 2 back mounts need some mig welding.I would say that by the way the floor rip in those 2 spots that it would appear that the cab was leaning forward,hard to really tell.The 2 front mount you can't even see due to the 2 plates that have been welded in there.Looking up from the bottom the 2 bolts are in place,will be leaving the plates in place. There is some rust through along the bottom of the back of cab,not nothing to major.I have throught about taking the cab off but the building and ground where I have it stored at,I may have it sold and the buyer has cash in hand,so I may be looking for anew place.Don't want to get that involved and then have to move it in pieces.Things tend to get lost when you do that.Will keep you updated as I make headway. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 never seen any B models with those mounts on the side. they are made for a 4 point mount, two in front and two in back in center. looks like they may have been added and the floor is all cracked cause it has absolutely no flex. they made it soo solid. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-158830 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Let the games begin!Looks good Mike and best of all it will be a family affair.Yes, there are some problems in that floor but really doesn't look too bad.Jim Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-158833 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Maddog,your right the 2 back outer bolts were added,I can't say when but will know more when I get a good look at the 2 center bolts as to why they were added. I can remember driving the truck as far back as the mid to late 70's and the cab had no movement then,so the bolts were added before that.The truck was used as a daily lowboy tractor right up till early 80's,after that it was used as a back up to the 2 DM800's we had running. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-158846 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 ditch the two extra bolts. the cab is made to have a little flex. i think id also grind those plates off that were welded over the front and see whats under there. thats just me tho, i hate to weld good steel over rotted out stuff. if you do leave them, id at least drill holes thru them and bolt them back down to the cab foot like the original was with 5/16 bolts. looks like they put the bolts back in on the one side and not the other. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-158849 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Maddog,your a great mind reader.I was thinking just the same with the plates up front.I will be checking them in the morning.Will post what I find.Thanks for the help.MIke Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-158850 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Here are the pic after I removed the plates that had been welded onto the floor.It appear that the orignal floor panal in both sides rusted through,so our shop foreman decided that all that was needed was to just cover up the rust with a thicker peice of metal(putting perfume on a pig) that my throught.Since the orignal panal were most likely still able to be had from Mack but weren't in stock we decided to do our own body work,it work.I will weld in a patch alittle nicer that was done some 30 years ago.Maddog I am going to remove the two back outside bolts that we added,can't tell why they were added the 2 middle bolts are still holding. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159041 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Sorry first 2 are't right.I will be busy cleaning the whole area,it has 49 years worth of dirt and grease. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159045 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 looks really worse than it really is. you can get a cheap bead roller from Harbor freight to kinda replicate the strenghing ripples that were there originalls. might not be exact but it will make it stronger and its covered up by a floor mat anyways. its really only flat patches to so not that bad. make a pattern, cut it out, weld it in little by little. Larry (Freightrain) did his years ago and came out nice. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159078 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 22, 2013 Author Share Posted January 22, 2013 Maddog,do you really think I even need the ripples,since the truck won't be pulling anymore lowboys.I was just going to weld in something to match the orignal thickness and be done with it.Like you said it get covered up with a floor mat. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159087 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 yup, either way. doesnt matter. all covered up.the ripples are so the sheet metal doesnt '' oil can'' but with it bolted down to the cab foot it should be solid. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159088 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Posted January 22, 2013 Share Posted January 22, 2013 Looks good any way you do it. Many regards. mike Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159103 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 It was alittle cold out today to do any work in my unheated building,so I used the time wisely and took my wife of 28 years back to her home town of Baltimore,MD to visit the gravesite of her parents.It would have been her mother's 91st birthday today.Will be picking up my passenger door from a fellow that made a lower door skin for it.The skin looks great,willpost a pic of it on Wed. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159224 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted January 23, 2013 Share Posted January 23, 2013 Another option would be to weld a piece of 1/2" angle with the "v" up to reinforce the panel on the underside. Not original, but it would work and would not be visible. Make sure you seal up whatever you do with "Chassis Saver" or "Por 15" to keep it from coming back. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 I'm going to use Por15 on the complete floor panals,and where ever else I can get it on.That stuff is alittle $$$ but it well worth it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159327 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Freightrain Posted January 23, 2013 Popular Post Share Posted January 23, 2013 I put a whole new floor in mine, as it was pretty rough and wasn't worth saving. Cut it all the way around, rebuild the rear cab mount area too(it was a shabby patch job).I put in new flange for the center panel to bolt to, as it was flimsy. I also replaced the little "rocker panel" portion as you can see I had some 14ga bent up to look correct and just welded it in at both ends. I also added a piece of 1x1 sq. tube across where the front seat bolts are at. Solid as a rock.Looking like new: 4 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159346 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted January 23, 2013 Author Share Posted January 23, 2013 That a great job you did on your truck.Once you throw the floor mat down no one will be the wiser.On mine I don't know why they added the two outside bolts to hold the cab down.I will be taking them out and just putting a piece of metal over that area.Working on sanding down the passenger door today,put a lower piece of skin on it where it had rooted out. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-159353 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted January 28, 2013 Share Posted January 28, 2013 I'm going to use Por15 on the complete floor panals,and where ever else I can get it on.That stuff is alittle $$$ but it well worth it. Check on "Chassis Saver" paint out of NY. I'm using it on the 72 IH I'm doing now. Cost me $104.00 for a gallon with the reducer on EBay.http://magnetpaints.com/default.asp 1 Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-160275 Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul roncetti Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Nice job MikeD, hope minne can get done like that Quote RONCETTI Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-160445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigdogtrucker Posted January 29, 2013 Share Posted January 29, 2013 Check on "Chassis Saver" paint out of NY. I'm using it on the 72 IH I'm doing now. Cost me $104.00 for a gallon with the reducer on EBay.http://magnetpaints.com/default.aspI've been using this paint for years,LOVE it!Holds up great and goes a long way as well. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-160456 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Well I got some work done on the old girl today.I have the cab lifted up off the frame,just trying to break the steering box loose.Then I have to rig up something to get my chain hoist abit wider,it short by about 2" to clear the rear tires,so I can drag the truck out from under the cab.I may just remove the rear outside tires to drag it out from under the cab. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-160955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
philatruck Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Good Luck MIke on the Restoration, will it be attending some shows? Quote -Mike Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-160960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
hicrop10 Posted February 1, 2013 Author Share Posted February 1, 2013 Yes when I get her done it will be at the shows.You may be luckey enough to see her out on the road once in awhile.I think I'll do what Leversol does with his Superliner.My problem now is trying to get the steering box loose.It doesn't want to break loose from the frame.Will be working on that today. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-161062 Share on other sites More sharing options...
leversole Posted February 1, 2013 Share Posted February 1, 2013 Yes when I get her done it will be at the shows.You may be luckey enough to see her out on the road once in awhile.I think I'll do what Leversol does with his Superliner.My problem now is trying to get the steering box loose.It doesn't want to break loose from the frame.Will be working on that today.Just got back from a backroads/I-80 run...been nasty weather last few days didnt get to drive it for two whole days! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-161143 Share on other sites More sharing options...
xdudebrahx Posted February 3, 2013 Share Posted February 3, 2013 Well I got some work done on the old girl today.I have the cab lifted up off the frame,just trying to break the steering box loose.Then I have to rig up something to get my chain hoist abit wider,it short by about 2" to clear the rear tires,so I can drag the truck out from under the cab.I may just remove the rear outside tires to drag it out from under the cab.If I wasn't so damn sick I'd offer to come down and try to push the frame out from under. Put my young strength to use lol Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/29534-b873sx-rebuild-update/#findComment-161469 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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