BC Mack Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Fellow Mackavites.....I'm getting confused with too many part numbers for a new lower battery box for my MH613... here's what I've got so far...PAI catalogue has what looks correct for my truck, at least by picture and dimensons, probably for an R model but I can see no differences..PAI # FBB-4986 which they cross over to 32MK397 which I can get out of Alberta for 220cdn plus freight...went to my Mack dealer, they said that Mack part number (397) has been changed to 207SG2 and will sell it to me for 299cdn no freight...in the end, just a few dollars more to buy it locally...all went well until the manager turned up... he said.. nooooo... your MH needs part number 32MK3104M for 403cdn...all confirmed as lower box, no lid...so....questions...will the PAI part number really fit my MH? does Mack limit parts so they fit many models?why did the manager give me the need to spend another 100 bucks?? is the manager correct and the MH has a slightly different dimension?...on-line or ebay is tough, damn border, freight getting expensive for large items... so, I would like to buy from the local dealer but do I really need to take the manager's advice???pic added of the good box from the other side, note, it has the angle reinforcements of the HD box in the PAI book...thanks in advance for any help before I spend precious dollarsBC Mack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 The pictured one looks like a regular R model box. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Why are you starting out your search at PAI?Why not call Watts Mack with your model and serial number, and have them accurately provide/sell you the lower box? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 looks like a standard R model box to me. use to be around $150 bucks for bottom and $45 for the top and $90 if you wanted the chrome top up til a few years ago . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted May 14, 2015 Author Share Posted May 14, 2015 Maddog....remember there is a 20% difference in our currency...and you would think that after currency conversion from us to cdn that would be the retail price in canada.... no chance.your 150 box equates to my 180cdn.... but it sells for 220cdnblame it on hidden taxes, profit ripoffs or because we always say sorry!!research the same tool on snap-on.com and snap-on.ca and see how we get ripped off above the border...kscI will drop them an e-mail, see if freight, border brokers fees etc etc, local delivery fees add up to a deal or not.... in general I have not found buying and shipping from the us to be significantly cheaper...j hancock... agree with you... just looking for confirmation from all you guys who know the R model well...BC Mack Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 My MH parts book shows 32MK3104M and subs to 2511 2965. Price (year old) I have from Watt is $227US. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I looked over them on my trucks and both R and MH bottoms seem to me the same.At least I can say 100% sure I took the alu covers from one to the other many times and they're almost the same, fitted perfect.As I remember PIA had them cheaper than Mack. Don't know any difference in quality, they could be just from the same producent.The one on the picture is a R-model.And in relation to it yours is almost new Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 Maybe a R-model one has no holes in the sides to fit MH mud flaps. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 14, 2015 Share Posted May 14, 2015 I made some check out today.Basically both R and MH bottoms are the same.A R-model bottom is fitted to brackets by the 4 holes in the end wall (wich MH bottom has either but they're free).A MH part uses 4 holes in the sides to be attached plus 4 small holes along the bottom to fit air tank support strips (2 on each side).Those additional holes don't take their place on a R-model box so you will need to drill them through if gonna use it. 1 Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted May 15, 2015 Author Share Posted May 15, 2015 Farmer...thx for that... note that 227usd = 272cdn but my mack dealer wants 403cdn....Vladthere are two boxes in the PAI catalogue...p/n FBB-4635 is a standard box with no angle plates and has no holes for side mounting on an MHp/n FBB-4986 is a "heavy duty" box with angle plates and side mounting holes, the photo also shows the holes for air tank strapsI have added a photo of the installation on my MHI'm wondering if PAI have made the HD box more universal than mack...looks like I will go with my gut feel and see what arrives...thanks for all the helpBC Mack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Is one number for an aluminum bottom perhaps? That might explain the higher price. I have one wrecked MH that has aluminum bottoms,only one I've ever seen. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 I put R model boxes on my B and they are identical to the one you show in your pic of your MH. has the back and side holes and the smaller holes in the bottom to mount an air tank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 BC,Your MH box installation is almost the same as on my MH613 of 1991.The R-model I have has no additional holes although I have the only only two absolutely identical R's.Too probably PAI makes a universal box, if I produce them I would do it that way.Interweb search gave me 112USD for PAI FBB-4986 and it doesn't seem bad.Although I would pay 112x1.55 to get them here and I need them almost 4 pieces so it would be $695 Plus inside the US shipping...So now I think to fabricate them locally of sheet metal, maybe using the original end walls wich aren't so bad.By the word Doug Fetterly offered those parts made of stainless steel. Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IH Farms 2 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 Looks the same as what's on my superliner I rebuild both back in February because the driver's side decided to rip because the bottom was gone and being hidden by part of a mudflap. Think I spent 30 bucks in steel and paint and a day welding 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted May 15, 2015 Share Posted May 15, 2015 order them while you can. im sure Volvo will discontinue them sometime soon as there is no need as they say..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted May 16, 2015 Author Share Posted May 16, 2015 PAI part is ordered... will post info on installationBC Mack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted May 16, 2015 Share Posted May 16, 2015 Don't forget to.I'd like to see the stuff they offer. 1 Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted May 17, 2015 Author Share Posted May 17, 2015 Looks the same as what's on my superliner I rebuild both back in February because the driver's side decided to rip because the bottom was gone and being hidden by part of a mudflap. Think I spent 30 bucks in steel and paint and a day weldingIH... my left one was in worse shape than yours once I got to poking it hard with a hammer... a fabricator told me he could do it for less than new, but not much less.... so, for a few dollars more I'm going for new.... my MH is a gradual restoration not a quick fixer upper so the box will even get two new batteries too...!!!!Vlad... will post photos of new box.... I will probably start a new thread "summer project part deux" when I get my clutch back in and painting of the middle frame starts...BC Mack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cstaples Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Just bought 2 PAI bottoms at State Line Mack in Fitzwilliam NH (best parts department in the world). For the month of May they are on sale for $90. call em up and ask for Gene. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 What is the part number (FBB-4986?) and are they correct for a MH? Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAD DOG Posted May 24, 2015 Share Posted May 24, 2015 Superliner lids are the same as MH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted June 4, 2015 Author Share Posted June 4, 2015 Don't forget to.I'd like to see the stuff they offer.I got the PAI lower batt box delivered today and did a basic check to see how good a fit it will be on my MH... so far it looks ok, the side mount holes line up, external dimensions seem the same, the small holes for the tank straps are there...some very minor differences... battery tie-down post hole is square not keyhole, not an issue for me.... and in order to install the airtank the plastic? supports above the tank have a small dowel at each end which is needed for correct alignment, a small 3/16 hole needs to be drilled to do this... paint needs re-doing but that's just me..!!!it is not a Mack part, the "4986" is stamped onto it...next weekend I will take it to the truck and do a fit check in the mounts and check the fit of the lid..took some pics of old and new together..BC Mack 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vladislav Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Looks like about a perfect replacement.I agree on the need to repaint. You never know what they applied on it but see quite good how the original "rust protective coverage" is gone long ago allowing the steel to fall into pieces.Was the rubber latch a part of the set or you bought it separately? Quote Никогда не бывает слишком много грузовиков! leversole 11.2012 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 Does that battery box hold two n70 batteries? Might get one for my R model of so. Seems to be good quality. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
farmer52 Posted June 4, 2015 Share Posted June 4, 2015 The PAI box looks identical to the Mack box. Curious if the Mack and PAI are made by the same company. Both include the rubber latch. Quote Ken PRR Country and Charter member of the "Mack Pack" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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