kicking tires on a new cxu 613

[wiserfrombud]

Hey all. I am new to the forum, and new to Mack. I am an owner op of 10 years. I bought a 379 new back in 04, then in 09 I bought a loaded up t660. A friend of mine has had 2 Macks and I have grown to like them. I am currently in the works of specing a new CXU 613 at my local dealer with the new 505c I think it is? It's 1860 torque in all gears. Now here is my question. I can save a little money by putting in a Mack tranny vs the Eaton 18 spd. I see in the past there have been complaints of somewhat stiff gear selection, as well as some synchro issues. My Fullers have been maintenance free in both trucks for the last 1.2 million miles. Anyone have any input on these brand new Maxitorque's? Any opinions on the Mack diffs vs Meritor's is also welcome, as I am considering those as well.

Thanks.

[blackdog2]

goooood luck !!!!!

[Superdog]

I'm a die hard Mack guy thru and thru but when the trans. went out of our '07 Rawhide,it was a Mack 13 speed,with only 450k on it and Mack wouldn't stand behind it,that really soured me on the new Mack transmissions. A local feed company that runs several newer Pinnacles has also had alot of trouble with their Mack transmissions and 0 problems with their Fullers,it's sad because Mack used to make the best transmissions in the world bar none. Thanks again,Volvo.

[storkmack]

M-Drive

[rick harper]

The trouble is mainly the driver forgets to pre select and overtime the sychros will burn up. Stiff shifting is caused by the 3 countershaft on a Mack vs two on competition. If you are mainly on the road I would give a hard look at the M Drive with the performance shift pad. A F1 transmission in a truck chassis. We have had no trouble as of yet.

[wiserfrombud]

Thanks for the replies! I was only entertaining the idea of the maxi torque to save a little bit over the Fuller. The M drive is way high compared to either. For that price, I don't mind shifting. Anybody running their differentials? They claim an extra couple points on efficiency etc.....

[Dirtymilkman]

I have a 2015 with a Mack 18spd. All my older trucks are also mack 18spds, but I have the damnedest time shifting this new one. If you have luck with the fullers I'd run them. As for rears, I've had way better luck with macks for traction but if your highway driving it don't matter.

[wiserfrombud]

Yup I pull otr/reefer. Thanks for the input! How do you like the new one otherwise?

[Dirtymilkman]

I love my new one! 10,000 miles and not an issue yet. My low DEF light came on when it was almost empty and my dealer called to ask of all was well. I do like the guard dog. The leather is also great

[wiserfrombud]

Yeah I'm specing the Grand Touring interior. What tranny and diffs are you running? Twin y suspension?

[mackdaddy]

Our lowboy Mack is an 05 with a Mack 18spd.........no problems at all. It is a stiff feeling shift but you get used to it. Mack rears are the undisputed mileage champs but really not necessary for highway use.

I test drove the M drive and it is impressive.

[wiserfrombud]

I gotta be honest, I like the novelty of the entire Mack powertrain, and the gold bulldog on the hood. That being said, its little more then a novelty, and if it causes me grief its not worth it.

[mike69mackman]

Yes the m drive is big $$$$$$$ but works good for flatbed dryvan/reefer work. Not good for us tanker yankers. We test drove a 2013 fir two weeks last year and didn't care for it. Had it come with the fuller or the maxitorque boss would've bought it on the spot.

[Dirtymilkman]

Im running 3.5 rears and the Mack/Hendrickson 46,000 air ride but I'm in a totally different type of vocation. But my tractor I have the same air ride except its 40,000

[bts-4120]

I would rather have the Mack diffs the cross lock option is really nice in mud and snow. I was pricing on this summer there was not much of a price diffrence between the mack 13 and the fuller 18.

[wiserfrombud]

Well I officially pulled the trigger on a new CXU 70" Hugh rise yesterday. I went with the new Maxi cruise 505c+, 13 speed Eaton, and Mack 40S rears with the new Twin Y. Thanks for everyone's input, it was helpful.

[wiserfrombud]

Well I officially pulled the trigger on a new CXU 70" Hugh rise yesterday. I went with the new Maxi cruise 505c+, 13 speed Eaton, and Mack 40S rears with the new Twin Y. Thanks for everyone's input, it was helpful.

[wiserfrombud]

Well I officially pulled the trigger on a new CXU 70" Hugh rise yesterday. I went with the new Maxi cruise 505c+, 13 speed Eaton, and Mack 40S rears with the new Twin Y. Thanks for everyone's input, it was helpful.

[rmuhlbar]

Congratulations, that sounds like a great combination.

We just ordered a new axle back 60" midrise. 445C engine, Maxitorque 13 speed, 3:11 Mack rears, twin Y suspension. Over the road hopper bottom.

I spent almost 6 months specing new trucks before we ordered this one last week. We are a small business and a 130K investment has to be spot on. I feel pretty good about our purchase. I liked everything I could find about the Mack drivetrain and the price was slightly better. We seriously considered the M-drive but decided against it at the last minute. We went with high speed rears to try to create the M-drive like rpms at cruise speed in top gear (1206 rpm@64 mph). This keeps 12th very usable (1440 rpm@64 mph) for cruising the hills.

The deciding factor on the Maxitorque vs Eaton was the standard (not extended) warranty. Mack offers 750K warranty while Eaton was only 500K. We have had good luck with our Eatons but wanted to try the Gold Bulldog on for size.

[wiserfrombud]

Yup I did the same with the ratio. I did 283 rears, and will run around in 11th. I only drive 55 mph so I think this should be a pretty good set up.

[haulin-gas]

Glad you chose the Eaton. 160,000km and my Mack 18spd has been rebuilt twice and finally replaced with a re-Macked one, which is no better than the original. Mack diffs are still pretty reliable but they need to get rid of the crappy electronic over air system that controls the p/d and cross locks. Lousy little wires that break and corrode.

As for the twin-Y, it might be alright with a wider spread than 52", but their claim of less torque wind up is BS unless you're bobtailing across flat ground. And it's definitely not the suspension to have if you haul liquid or livestock!

If there ever is another Dog in my future it will NOT have a golden hood ornament. Since Volvo took over, Mack has become the ugly step sister.

[Mackdaddy2030]

I just pulled the trigger on a '12 CHU with the M Drive. I've only had it a couple weeks, but as of right now I'm not all that impressed with the M Drive. I think it would be good for over the road, but I pull tanker and dump and think I should have held out for the Allison. It's darn near impossible to find a good used Allison, and if you do they are crazy expensive.

And I actually like the way my '98 CH steering felt better. This new one just feels different like an old Volvo I had, which makes sense since they are trying to make everything universal now.

I do like the power of the 445 MP8. I Orininally wanted the 505, but heard the the 445 power wasn't much off the 505 and that the 445 would get better fuel mileage.

I really wish that Mack would offer a glider kit. I know you can get a fully dressed cab, so I called corporate office to see if you could get a fully built rolling chassis to try and make my own glider kit, but they of course said no.