jpavao1066 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Well Ive finally begun the restoration on my 66 R600. Im hoping to have it done by the beginning of summer, and I have a lot of work ahead of me so I figured I should start somewhere. I started on the interior today, gutting the dash so that i can rewire the truck and clean the mess the mice have made in there over the years. Since I plan to rewire everything, I think I am going to switch over to a neg ground system just for simplicity of adding anything later. From what I understand, to convert to neg ground, I have to-switch battery leads to starter-reverse the amp meter leads-reverse temp gauge leads-reverse the connections at the heater motor-install an alternator with a rectifier for Neg ground, unless it is a floating ground alt.Am I forgetting anything?Also, the truck has some original gauges, but some have been replaced with aftermarkets. I would like to have all matching gauges, so I was wondering If anyone knew of any places that may do gauge restoration at a resonable cost? I could find the missing original gauges and send them all out to be restored, or does anyone know of an aftermarket gauge manufacturer that sells gauges that would work in these trucks (air psi, 3k tach, etc). I have seen some "old school" looking gauges that look really sharp but they dont make the appropriate gauges that I need like previously metioned.And one other question, I am going to repaint the interior the original mack green, I was wondering if the R models used the same green color as the B models? Ive heard the newer the truck, the less metallic the paint will have, due to being what was left from the batches of paint the factory had, is that correct?Thanks in advance for any input-Justin Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 good luck with it,,,right now auto zone has got nice looking retro look guages,,,im sure they will carry all of them...bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238898 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joe Ditchkus Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 I think fuel gauge needs to be looked at also. Joe D. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238918 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mack458 Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 Try Bob's Speedometerwww.bobsspeedometer.com Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238926 Share on other sites More sharing options...
doubleclutchinweasel Posted March 23, 2014 Share Posted March 23, 2014 The volt meter on my '70 R600 had only 1 terminal, & was grounded through the case. Moving the wire would cause a dead short.I just got a universal volt meter with 2 terminals, & wired it to the correct one. Quote "Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238950 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 23, 2014 Author Share Posted March 23, 2014 Thank you for the input, I just contacted bobsspeedometer looking for some info. Also I believe my voltmeter had two leads, but I will have to check again I could be mistaken. And I will check into the fuel gauge as well, thank you Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238955 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Barry has the original style wings gauges. also Stewart Warner still carries them or they are available on ebay. BCR Al on here has the correct paint code for the earlier R models . its a GM color match, no metallic at all. think its GM code 503 Dupont.Centari. the 65-70 R models with the Corvette dash were a mint green color, 70-72 had a nasty olive drab color usually. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238956 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 I checked with Bobs About changing my Superliner gauges to white face, he said around $2000. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238962 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Barry has the original style wings gauges. also Stewart Warner still carries them or they are available on ebay. BCR Al on here has the correct paint code for the earlier R models . its a GM color match, no metallic at all. think its GM code 503 Dupont.Centari. the 65-70 R models with the Corvette dash were a mint green color, 70-72 had a nasty olive drab color usually.Great thanks for the info! Who is Barry that you say has the original style gauges? And as for the paint thank you, I didn't realize there was that much of a difference. I will look into it to make sure on the paint code. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238971 Share on other sites More sharing options...
2stacksuperdog Posted March 24, 2014 Share Posted March 24, 2014 Great thanks for the info! Who is Barry that you say has the original style gauges? And as for the paint thank you, I didn't realize there was that much of a difference. I will look into it to make sure on the paint code.Barry is the guy who created this site and works at Watts Mack in Pa. 2 Quote Matt Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238972 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 I checked with Bobs About changing my Superliner gauges to white face, he said around $2000.Ouch that's a lot of money just for gauges, I like the look of the white faces but I can't see spending that much right now! There is a superliner on YouTube with them and it looks really good, I believe it's the Australia Heavy Haulage truck that is in a few videos. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 24, 2014 Author Share Posted March 24, 2014 Barry is the guy who created this site and works at Watts Mack in Pa.Ok gotcha thank you! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-238974 Share on other sites More sharing options...
keg1 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 I know what you mean about their price. I can't find all the gauges I need in new ones so I don't know what I'm going to do yet. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
gearhead204 Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 pai has some gauges as well Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239303 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fxfymn Posted March 26, 2014 Share Posted March 26, 2014 My experience is you can find almost anything you need for a restoration if you look long and hard enough. Check eBay every day, attend as many flea markets as you can, try various search engine searches under as many listings as you think someone might list what you are looking for under, and put the word out to as many folks as possible about what you are looking for.I just located a pair of tail lights for my 25 AB that I have never seen anywhere on eBay. If you had asked me about those lights two weeks ago I would have bet a hundred bucks I was never going to find them. The 30 - 45 minutes I spend searching the internet each day for needed parts finally paid off.The gauges you are looking for will turn up somewhere at a price you want to pay. Quote Money, sex, and fire; everybody thinks everyone else is getting more than they are! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239315 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 26, 2014 Author Share Posted March 26, 2014 Ok i will continue to look, I've found a couple here and there but they are what I already have. Just out of curiosity, would anyone have a picture of an original early r model gauge cluster? I've seen a couple other old gauges but I am unsure if they are the correct ones, and i haven't found much from searching yet. Thanks again for all the info! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239326 Share on other sites More sharing options...
68MackR Posted March 27, 2014 Share Posted March 27, 2014 Here is a picture of my dash.all original except for the air gauge.Jeff 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239462 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 27, 2014 Author Share Posted March 27, 2014 Thank you! I like the white it looks real sharp! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239463 Share on other sites More sharing options...
57 bcr Posted March 28, 2014 Share Posted March 28, 2014 Justin, Matt is correct on the DuPont 503 green,but it was also tinted to match the Mack interior green needed.I do not have the formula,but taking a panel (that has not seen sunlight-back of glove box door,back of center dash panel,etc.) to a good auto paint store,they should be able to match it for you. Al Quote IF YOU BOUGHT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT..AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT, A TRUCK WILL HAUL IT AWAY!!! Big John Trimble,WRVA Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239606 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted March 28, 2014 Author Share Posted March 28, 2014 Ok cool I will give that a try and see what I can come up with that you Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-239634 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jpavao1066 Posted October 11, 2014 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 11, 2014 Well as things typically go, I wasn't able to get much done to the truck this summer due to more important things going on at the time. But I've finally started working on it again, even though it is only about once a week. I figured I would try to tackle all of the rust and rot first then try to finish off the interior. I discovered a bit more rot once I cut the bad cab corner off, so I'm cutting and replacing all of the bad stuff with new steel. In the mean time I have been trying to get everything I will need for the interior ready to go. I was wondering if anyone had any pictures showing where the shift pattern plate goes in the cab? I've been trying to find the correct duplex plate but so far all I have found is quad box plates. Also, does anyone know whether or not my truck is supposed to have the plate telling proper engine operating range like the b models had? I'm just trying to bring it back to as close to original as I can. 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-262909 Share on other sites More sharing options...
57 bcr Posted October 14, 2014 Share Posted October 14, 2014 Near as I can tell Justin,the R's had stickers for the shift patterns and the operating range. I used a B model shift pattern plate in my truck (seeing it is part B anyway!). The operating range plate for B could be used. Probably easier to find than the decal.Although these decal guys can make just about anything these days,with a good example. (Had to dig into the BCR's cab a little too!) Al 2 Quote IF YOU BOUGHT IT, A TRUCK BROUGHT IT..AND WHEN YOU'RE DONE WITH IT, A TRUCK WILL HAUL IT AWAY!!! Big John Trimble,WRVA Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-263228 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted October 14, 2014 Author Share Posted October 14, 2014 Ok cool I didn't realize they were stickers in these trucks. I know someone who can make decals, I'm sure I could find a good example online for him to copy from. Looks like quite the job on that floor! Luckily mine didn't get to that point, I only have a couple small spots I can cut out and replace. Soon as I'm done with the cab corner and rocker. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-263247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jpavao1066 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted August 24, 2015 Well I finally made some progress on the truck, mostly all interior work. I figured I would tackle the interior first then move to the outside. I stripped almost everything out and fixed a few rot spots, repainted everything back to the green it is supposed to be, dynamatted the floor to help with sound and insulation, put new front and rear floor mats in, pulled the steering wheel, fixed all the cracks and repainted the wheel, repainted the horn button, put a new air ride seat in it, and cut out the old bent/broken/welded/hacked shifters and made new ones. I also have the rest of the dash pulled out and repainted, along with the heater box, which I pulled apart to get the rusted up flaps and vents working again, and to fix a small coolant leak. I still have to clean up the headliner, and make a new back curtain piece for the lower half of the back of the cab. Its been a slow process but im glad to finally see it take shape! Ill try to remember how to post some more pictures. 5 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-301302 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpavao1066 Posted August 24, 2015 Author Share Posted August 24, 2015 Does anyone know why when I try to post pictures, some of them show up on their side, 90 degrees off? The rest of my pictures other than this one all show up on their side. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/35142-66-r-model-restoration/#findComment-301309 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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