Popular Post BGarofalo Posted July 22, 2015 Popular Post Share Posted July 22, 2015 I finally had some time to work on my project truck so I figured I'd share with my progress. Im making my CL into a live tridem. Some may ask the question why? Well, the simple answer is I can and I wanted too! The hardest part is getting all the pieces together so they match the originals. Here is a picture of where i'm at now. I just got the rear mounted. Still have a lot of stuff to do but it finally seems like its moving along. 10 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
dogg rescue Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Cool! Let us know how it turns with a load on. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297493 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOB DINGSDALE Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 theres no problem in the steering dept but middle drivers scuff real bad at least they do up here hauling logs at 53000 kg plus but there is a freight line hauling 53 ft tri box trailers out of town with all MACKS with M drive Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297510 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timmyb Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Did you use another diff or a lazy axle? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297554 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOB DINGSDALE Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 two fronts and one rear Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297625 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post BGarofalo Posted July 23, 2015 Author Popular Post Share Posted July 23, 2015 Correct two fronts and a rear. 3.65 ratio with air shift power divider. I don't think turning will be too bad. I am plumbing a dump valve in for the rear most axle to help with tight maneuvering. Should act like a shorter wheelbase. Just patiently waiting for the drive shafts to come back now. Mounted the new bumper a few days before the rear went in. 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297647 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezrider Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 looks good. looks like you are doing quality work.what do you use the truck for? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297767 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lmackattack Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Good idea for the dump valve. We have the same set up on a spread axle and it pivots on the forward axel. Makes tight turns much better. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ezrider Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 a agree on the dump valve you will have a lot of scrubbing on your drives without it but you will probably have to put your first inter axle in when you dump your rear.i have a steerable lift on my truck, better suited for my application than a tri drive. i bet that thing would be unstoppable in a straight line if you have cross locks on all three drives as well. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297856 Share on other sites More sharing options...
coastlogger Posted July 25, 2015 Share Posted July 25, 2015 Ive got a superliner im going to tridrive also...... just curious if you put the 3rd infront or behind the originals if you stretched the frame out and what ur axle ctr to ctr is? Thanks Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297860 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGarofalo Posted July 26, 2015 Author Share Posted July 26, 2015 Well, got the air suspension and dump valve all plumbed in. Moved the leveling valve to the mid rear. Lmackattack, that's where I got the idea for using the dump valve on the rear looking at all the newer spread axle trailers. I anticipated that I might loose traction with the rear-rear at no pressure that's why I spent the extra time and money finding an air lock power divider for the new axle.I only use this truck for a hobby so I stuck with 54" axle spread so it looks symmetrical. You would probably have to go to a 60" spread on non-Mack axles. The new rear went in front of the original bogie. Its cheaper and stronger than adding frame to the back.(need to change 2 carriers if adding to the back). Here is a picture from a different angle. Ill update again when the drive shafts are ready. With an air lock power divider feeding another airlock power divider the first jackshaft is just under 19" long 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-297973 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BGarofalo Posted August 14, 2015 Author Share Posted August 14, 2015 Got the drive shafts in today. I did fresh shafts from the trans back. The first jackshaft is 1810 and only 18". Rear jackshaft is still factory 1710. Didn't test drive yet though. Getting close... Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-300043 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gmerrill0516 Posted August 14, 2015 Share Posted August 14, 2015 Very ambitious and real neat. My head spins when I start figuring out what a set of tires for that would cost...Interesting project. Thanks for sharing Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41042-tri-drive/#findComment-300046 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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