B-73 Restoration

[carlotpilot]

matt  what a classic resto even if it took years . some high dollar wood on the back to. vids worked fine I  hav`nt heard a 220 running in years. BEAUTIFUL

 

[carlotpilot]

On 10/12/2023 at 9:57 PM, Brocky said:

Carlotpilot:: WELCOME BACK!!!  Hope you and the Mrs are doing OK..

we`ve had a few bumps but got past them we`re still hangin in there. and thanks to everyone else for the welcome back

[mechohaulic]

On 10/29/2023 at 10:22 PM, mowerman said:

 I’m sure they just think were all old people with their old vehicles Refusing to come out of the past ha ha that’s OK we think they’re all idiots we’re  even great video Matt thanks for that…. Bob

If the "young kids " can show me a positive reason for not staying in the past , I'll advance to modern times . as of todays world the past even with it's ups and downs was a better place. mentally I'll stay there ; if I can remember it. LOL

[mowerman]

My God these young kids don’t even want to get out and do anything just hold the steering wheel. You probably heard me mention before Fedex has got some of the laziest people I’ve ever seen and they’re not all kids Christ for Christ Sex nut up and do your job. 

[mowerman]

Just realized, I forgot to log off this morning

[doubleclutchinweasel]

Finally got to see the last 2 videos.  Love it!  Love the sound, too!

Only thing that would make it better is if it lived in my driveway.

[mattb73lt]

I was over at my friend's yard today, the one that very graciously sent me several lifts to assembly my truck. He just took delivery of a 2024 Mack Granite Tri-axle Roll Back with a Century body. I couldn't help but park mine next to it to compare. Not even registered yet, with all the stickers still on it!. I almost passed out when he said it was over $300,000, DAMN!!!!! 64 years between the two.

[mechohaulic]

call it grandpa and grandson Macks . had to go grab my heart pills after reading 300K. that's insane (I guess). don't repeat this LOL : Matt Yours is better .  the B-73 may have taken time and $$ to look as it does in the picture. but reality is the 73 was worth it. the "plastic Mack " == time will tell. jus sayin.

[mechohaulic]

still a beautiful comparison photo. still looks to be a lot of rear over hang on the '73 , almost as though a tag axle is missing. 

[Brocky]

$300 Grand???? What and what kind of weight is he going to haul on a Tri-Axle rollback??? Especially enough revenue to make the payments.

[mechohaulic]

it's defiantly a TOTALLY different world. i've seen triaxle dumps going for 300 plus , but they have all the "show stuff" = all the lights , fancy wheels  etc. a basic unit ???  but when an engine is 30K, turbo 3 K ;;;; glad I'm out . I'd have to double the heart meds. years back rebuilding a set of Mack rears , " had $2600.oo in parts which I sweated out hoping to get paid. 2600 today might buy some bearings.. PAY ATTENTION EVERYONE lets NOT go off topic. 😄

[mattb73lt]

Mehohaulic, the balance of the truck is pretty good. The deck has 13' forward and 11' aft. If you look at the landing gear, there's not much room to move the axle back maybe another foot. But that's about it.

[mrsmackpaul]

1 hour ago, mattb73lt said:

I was over at my friend's yard today, the one that very graciously sent me several lifts to assembly my truck. He just took delivery of a 2024 Mack Granite Tri-axle Roll Back with a Century body. I couldn't help but park mine next to it to compare. Not even registered yet, with all the stickers still on it!. I almost passed out when he said it was over $300,000, DAMN!!!!! 64 years between the two.

There's some photos here that need blowing and in hanging in the house, possibly even the dealership the new truck came from

Some smarter than me could think of a smart caption comparing the two

Really great photos 

I'm impressed with both trucks

As for the price, you yanks have been spoilt with cheap trucks for 50 years or more, you wouldn't want to buy a truck in Australia, you'd all fairly die in the ass at new truck prices out here

 

Paul

[mechohaulic]

16 minutes ago, mattb73lt said:

Mehohaulic, the balance of the truck is pretty good. The deck has 13' forward and 11' aft. If you look at the landing gear, there's not much room to move the axle back maybe another foot. But that's about it.

it also could just be the angle first picture was taken. this side view isn't looking  as off set. no matter what angle ; it's amazing work of art.

[mowerman]

14 hours ago, mechohaulic said:

it also could just be the angle first picture was taken. this side view isn't looking  as off set. no matter what angle ; it's amazing work of art.

i brought that up a while ago about weight distribution ,,,,, im sure you could probably get away with around 18,000 pound vehicle on it...and yes the truck is definately breath taking...thanks again matt for all your updated photos...bob

[mechohaulic]

On 11/3/2023 at 7:33 PM, mattb73lt said:

Mehohaulic, the balance of the truck is pretty good. The deck has 13' forward and 11' aft. If you look at the landing gear, there's not much room to move the axle back maybe another foot. But that's about it.

speaking of the landing gear; two pistons 4-6 diameter, 2 in rams ??  look to be 18in long. I found a DM steel nose with same body set up on auctionzip. nice looking set up .. think DM said it had 22 ft body. 

[mattb73lt]

Mechohaulic, here’s the axle set upon that Granite Tri-axle. It’s set up to carry some serious weight because it was spec’d out by a rigging company. For some reason they declined delivery so my friend grabbed it. Way too heavy for my needs, too many tires, too(ie; $$$$!)

[mechohaulic]

darn fancy set up for a rigging co having all the chrome and alum. basically it's a triaxle dump set up  having a HD flatbed instead of dump. being an "ole dog lover", takes a while for me to "warm up "to new. R's taking place of B's wasn't  bad; valueliner /superliner replacing R took getting use to and so on. these new models discussed even on here are a challenge. point is that's one fine looking Mack = the plastic round design will take some adjusting to . LOL just my thoughts.

[mechohaulic]

On 11/3/2023 at 7:33 PM, mattb73lt said:

Mehohaulic, the balance of the truck is pretty good. The deck has 13' forward and 11' aft. If you look at the landing gear, there's not much room to move the axle back maybe another foot. But that's about it.

sure hope now that this beautiful masterpiece is done it doesn't go to a "back burner " and is forgotten on these forums . we still need a mental boost every now and then for moral support to forge onward with other projects, 

[mattb73lt]

No, I don't plan on letting that happen. Still some stuff to finish, but the future goal is to get out there with it and drive it. Plus, using it to haul my cars to antique car tours for which the other truck was built and this was to be it's follow on.

[mechohaulic]

to combine forums ;; THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR,.. 

[mattb73lt]

Just now, mechohaulic said:

to combine forums ;; THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SIR,.. 

And same to you. Welcome Home!!

[1961H67]

I’ll keep asking for updates on your B73 , That forces me to stay in the shop on a rainy day and make progress on my project! And Thank Both of Y’all and ALL Veterans on here for their Service ! 🇺🇸

 

 

 

 

[mattb73lt]

This story is far from over and it's been a wild transformation. Now to finish it up and start enjoying the fruits of all my labors!!

[mechohaulic]

If we weren't watching the transformation through pictures on BMT, I would say without a doubt ==THAT'S NOT THE SAME TRUCK . the fact it is a B=73 with the bold radiator and so forth makes that build even more spectacular! nothing wrong with a B-61 build or any other truck== MACK . 73/ 75 has a way of saying ; get out of my way i'm coming through. for highway units. now if looking at the 73's cousin the B-81 = won't go there ..LOL