differences between LJ and A model Macks?

[vwjunkie]

May sound like a stupid question, but as I've been looking at the older Macks doing research on the A model I'm potentially buying, I was wondering what the differences were between the LJ series trucks and the A models. The body style looks to be very similar, and while the LJs started production earlier, they did overlap in the early 50s while both were being produced. Just trying to educate myself a little more on what the LJs offered compared to the A models of the same period. I have searched on here and the internet quite a bit but there isn't much info on the LJs or A models.

I was also wondering about production numbers for the A models for the few short years they were made. Anyone know offhand how many were produced?

Thanks

Jason

[Joe Ditchkus]

A Models were made from 1950-to 54 I am not sure of final year. Somewhere around 6-7000 A-Models made. Though cabs look similar L-Models had split winshields and larger cab. L -models were made from 1940's to mid 50'S ?. The way A-Models were described to me too light for heavy work and too heavy for light work. A-Models shared the same basic cab as E-Models but no front window opening. I have a 1950 A-51 T with Mack 510 Diesel and 10 speed mono-shift. It does nor run but is complete I hope someday to put C-180 Cummins init with different trans. There is a nice red a-model in New Jersey with a 673 Mack and Tri-plex tandem. Tight fit as it was an A-40. The A-55'S hasd longer hood to fit 672 Cummins from factory. Is the one you are interested in a factory installed C-160 ? I would like to know what mounts were used and where placed. good luck. Joe D.

[cncFireman]

From looks of it they look like they would share sheet metal. Some of the L models look too use the same grill

Later Trucks
DE 1939-1942 2,164
EB 1936-1941 134
EC 1936-1941 123
ED 1938-1944 2,686
EE 1938-1950 9,719
EF 1938-1951 13,783
EG 1938-1950 7,349
EH 1936-1950 31,539
EJ 1937-1938 762
EM 1937-1943 1,584
EQ 1937-1950 10,661
ER 1936-1941 359
ES 1938-1940 75
ETX 1950-1950 50
FC 1936-1947 273
FG 1938-1942 162
FH 1937-1941 265
FJ 1938-1943 322
FK 1938-1941 123
FN 1940-1941 150
FP 1940-1942 365
FT 1941-1950 241
FW 1941-1949 63
LF 1940-1953 12,453
LH 1940-1953 822
LJ 1940-1956 13,931
LM 1940-1956 2,391
LP 1941-1942 55
LR 1943-1964 1,275
LT 1947-1956 2,009
LV 1948-1961 515
LW 1947-1947 1
LY 1958-1962 65
M R 1940-1942 290
NW 1941-1941 16

A-Series
A20 1950-1954 2,158
A30 1950-1953 3,356
A31 1953-1953 25
A40 1950-1953 7,666
A50 1950-1953 3,319
A51 1950-1953 2,575
A52 1951-1953 100
A54 1952-1953 864
A55 1952-1953 494

[bullhusk]

A Models were made from 1950-to 54 I am not sure of final year. Somewhere around 6-7000 A-Models made. Though cabs look similar L-Models had split winshields and larger cab. L -models were made from 1940's to mid 50'S ?. The way A-Models were described to me too light for heavy work and too heavy for light work. A-Models shared the same basic cab as E-Models but no front window opening. I have a 1950 A-51 T with Mack 510 Diesel and 10 speed mono-shift. It does nor run but is complete I hope someday to put C-180 Cummins init with different trans. There is a nice red a-model in New Jersey with a 673 Mack and Tri-plex tandem. Tight fit as it was an A-40. The A-55'S hasd longer hood to fit 672 Cummins from factory. Is the one you are interested in a factory installed C-160 ? I would like to know what mounts were used and where placed. good luck. Joe D.

Joe a V-53 Detroit with a nice 13 over would work well!!

Ernie DS

[Joe Ditchkus]

Ernie I love the sound of the 2 strokes but 6V-53's were unbearably loud. I was in Vietnam we had them in PBR'S (riverboats) 2 side by side with Jacuzzi Jet Pumps.Joe D.

[vwjunkie]

Thanks for all the info... From talking to the owner he told me it was a gas truck and was repowered by cummins in 1960 or 1961 with the C160 that's in it now.

Jason

[j hancock]

Joe D. covered it.

Even though the L and A model do look similar, I can't think of any piece of exterior sheet metal that would interchange.

Jim

[fxfymn]

As the old saying goes "They are identical twins from different mothers."

Unless you really know Mack trucks you cannot tell the difference between them by looking at them, but they are totally different. Basically, the A models are smaller versions of the L series that do not share any sheet metal and not a lot of mechanical parts.

They produced A model fire apparatus until 1956, despite ceasing production of the other products in 1954.

[cncFireman]

Joe D. covered it.

Even though the L and A model do look similar, I can't think of any piece of exterior sheet metal that would interchange.

Jim

It looked as if some L models may have shared the A series grill?

[cncFireman]

Joe D. covered it.

Even though the L and A model do look similar, I can't think of any piece of exterior sheet metal that would interchange.

Jim

It looked as if some L models may have shared the A series grill?

[j hancock]

I agree the L and A model grille look the same but the dimensions are different. The A model is smaller by several inches.

[cncFireman]

good to know thank you

[bulldogboy]

To me, the quickest way to tell the difference is by looking at the windshield; "A"s have a one piece windshield, "L"s have a two piece windshield. There is also the size difference, "A"s are smaller than "L"s.

bulldogboy

[Vladislav]

They are just two different trucks on my mind.

Have different sheet metal, frames, suspension and so on.

LJ is one of heavy L model modifications so go further from A-model as for example LF.

Although they have nothing of a big stuff in common.

Some engines and gear boxes migth used intermedial but those engines were used in many other Mack trucks of the time.

More interesting to me a difference between A-model and E-model.

I know they had different grills although everything else about the out look seems similar.

Do they have diff. frames and suspensions?

Or did Mack just change a grill and announce the new model?

[j hancock]

The A is an updated E.

The grille and hood are different. The E model door uses a one piece door glass and the A model uses a main glass as well as a vent window. The steel doors between an E and A are basically the same. The A features side vents in the sheet metal of the cowl section of the cab. There were little changes such as A models have black background gauges. E models have a tan background. The gauges were the same besides the colors and made for Mack by Stewart Warner.

Much of the running gear and chassis remained the same but as Mack made upgrades slight changes developed.

[snowmobile02067]

Just happened to find a youtube video of an absolutely stunning A30 going for a ride I think in the Baltimore area. All done up it is quite a nice looking truck. You can see the medium duty aspect to it though. Definitely not a big truck, and not a small truck at the same time. Good luck if you get it.

[Vladislav]

The A is an updated E.

The grille and hood are different. The E model door uses a one piece door glass and the A model uses a main glass as well as a vent window. The steel doors between an E and A are basically the same. The A features side vents in the sheet metal of the cowl section of the cab. There were little changes such as A models have black background gauges. E models have a tan background. The gauges were the same besides the colors and made for Mack by Stewart Warner.

Much of the running gear and chassis remained the same but as Mack made upgrades slight changes developed.

Thank you for cleaning to me what I can't see on net pictures.

I saw in the book an E-model has a distance between the frame rails wider in rear than in front.

Does an A has the same arrangement?

Or maybe diff. E's had frames of diff. kinds due to a payload?