1961H67 Posted April 18 Share Posted April 18 I Love It ! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550136 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post yarnall Posted April 18 Popular Post Share Posted April 18 I can’t believe you are still working on this truck. In the time you’ve been messing with it I’ve managed to take the transmission pan off my 68 Nova and set it on the roof, put my 53 Chevy pickup up in jack stands and pull the front wheels and replace half the spark plug wires on my wife’s pickup. At this rate you won’t make it to Macungie next year, yet alone this year. I’ll never get to see this truck. Mike 3 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550138 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 19 Share Posted April 19 On 4/1/2024 at 12:29 PM, mattb73lt said: Back home again after a four month slumber. After checking it over it fired right up after very little effort. I had a friend go with me to drive my car back. He said,”Damn, that thing is fast!”. I thought I was just chugging along and shifting it easy, keeping the RPM’s down while I got used to driving it again. The speedometer is a little off and I was just moving along in traffic, but he said we almost hit 80 a couple of times. It really doesn’t feel like it at all. But, now to get a few things wrapped up on it for its first real truck show at Yankee Candle on 5/5!! any idea of your next appearance at a show?? have been looking forward for weeks to may 5th since you wrote of having high hopes of the B 73making it debut there. due to conflicting events same day I can't make the Deerfield show. the Knights of Columbus , to which I am a member are hosting an important gathering ;;;Darn . 52 weeks a year/ 365days a year seems everything takes place same day. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550201 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 19 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 19 Also looking at Bethlehem, 6/8&9, Brooklyn 6/23. I'm thinking about Macungie, 6/14&15, but I'm going to need a couple of days for that and that's right at the start of my busy season. 1 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 20 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 20 It still amazes me when I look back at this truck when I found it to what I built out of it. I have to admit the transformation is remarkable. I spent the afternoon finishing a lot of small things. I also ordered a whole bunch of new tie down equipment for the deck. I had a lot of hand me down stuff in the other truck, but figured I'd boom up and get some new and matching chains, binders and straps. All that will get organized and put into the new storage boxes once I get them mounted. I had to reschedule my meeting with the sign painter to this Thursday. I was hoping I could get the lettering and striping done before the first show, but it'll get done in a few weeks, once we settle on what I want to do to it. 7 4 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550232 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 20 Share Posted April 20 22 hours ago, mattb73lt said: Also looking at Bethlehem, 6/8&9, Brooklyn 6/23. I'm thinking about Macungie, 6/14&15, but I'm going to need a couple of days for that and that's right at the start of my busy season. Excellent I’ll be there this year. Looking forward to seeing it in person… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550237 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 26 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 26 The Merritt boxes I ordered came in last week and I spent today installing them. They’re matching 5’ long boxes, with dual doors that swing to the side. That’ll give me better access for my equipment. The left one is going to be for all my deck equipment and the right one will be just for storage and carrying stuff. I was going to order 2 DEF boxes and mount them to the headache rack. But, after installing these two I have a good 36” area on the passenger side between the storage and battery boxes. I’ll order one more box for there and that will be just for truck items (oils, tools and parts. I met with the sign painter on Wednesday evening. She took a bunch of pictures and we exchanged some ideas. She’s going to send me some mockups in a bit. She’s about 4-5 weeks out. So, it’ll be a bit before that gets done. 9 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550533 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 29 minutes ago, mattb73lt said: The Merritt boxes I ordered came in last week and I spent today installing them. They’re matching 5’ long boxes, with dual doors that swing to the side. That’ll give me better access for my equipment. The left one is going to be for all my deck equipment and the right one will be just for storage and carrying stuff. I was going to order 2 DEF boxes and mount them to the headache rack. But, after installing these two I have a good 36” area on the passenger side between the storage and battery boxes. I’ll order one more box for there and that will be just for truck items (oils, tools and parts. I met with the sign painter on Wednesday evening. She took a bunch of pictures and we exchanged some ideas. She’s going to send me some mockups in a bit. She’s about 4-5 weeks out. So, it’ll be a bit before that gets done. no words on those ;; beyond words! looked to be such a lot of space battery to drives ; but those filled it in perfectly .not to little or too much . one question :(not another one LOL). the axle nuts ??chrome caps would be tooo much , paint ?? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550534 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted April 27 Author Share Posted April 27 I was just going to put acorn nut covers on the axle studs and lug nuts. I just put a set on the front wheels, really dresses the wheel up. I like the red axle stub sticking out and the little bit of red showing on the front hubs. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550535 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 They look good, but are they upside down ? The reason I ask is every trailer or truck I have owned the lid opens down not up Gives a hand bench to sit stuff on while searching thru the box and you don't hit your head, the light shines in there for searching about Don't get me wrong, those are sharp looking boxes and I maybe wrong but it appears these hinge up opening Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550538 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Holy popcorn Batman,,,,,,,,,,,, wow… lol thanks for that… bob 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550541 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 Starting to think the boxes covered it. missing link ha ha now the pin striping and lettering will be overkill…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550542 Share on other sites More sharing options...
h67st Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 6 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: They look good, but are they upside down ? The reason I ask is every trailer or truck I have owned the lid opens down not up Gives a hand bench to sit stuff on while searching thru the box and you don't hit your head, the light shines in there for searching about Don't get me wrong, those are sharp looking boxes and I maybe wrong but it appears these hinge up opening Paul They're side opening boxes. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550543 Share on other sites More sharing options...
harrybarbon Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 13 hours ago, mattb73lt said: The Merritt boxes I ordered came in last week and I spent today installing them. They’re matching 5’ long boxes, with dual doors that swing to the side. That’ll give me better access for my equipment. The left one is going to be for all my deck equipment and the right one will be just for storage and carrying stuff. I was going to order 2 DEF boxes and mount them to the headache rack. But, after installing these two I have a good 36” area on the passenger side between the storage and battery boxes. I’ll order one more box for there and that will be just for truck items (oils, tools and parts. I met with the sign painter on Wednesday evening. She took a bunch of pictures and we exchanged some ideas. She’s going to send me some mockups in a bit. She’s about 4-5 weeks out. So, it’ll be a bit before that gets done. Matt, any thoughts about putting mud flaps or some protection between the front of drive wheels and rear of storage boxes to protect and keep the box rears looking good and probably the doors as well? The boxes look great. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550545 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 27 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 27 7 hours ago, mrsmackpaul said: They look good, but are they upside down ? The reason I ask is every trailer or truck I have owned the lid opens down not up Gives a hand bench to sit stuff on while searching thru the box and you don't hit your head, the light shines in there for searching about Don't get me wrong, those are sharp looking boxes and I maybe wrong but it appears these hinge up opening Paul It’s probably your perspective, maybe just spin your computer 180 degrees. It should look correct🤣🤣. But yes they do open to the sides. Lots of room in them. I have a shelf to add to the left one to help keep it organized. 2 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550547 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted April 27 Author Share Posted April 27 I was thinking about a pair of those Mack engraved 1/4 stainless fenders, but I don't think they're in production any more. Maybe just a plain set. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550551 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mrsmackpaul Posted April 27 Popular Post Share Posted April 27 Perfect now, but the bloods running to my head, to much standing upside down lol Paul 1 3 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550553 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted April 27 Share Posted April 27 well i did hear your toilet water.spins counterclockwise...bob 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550557 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 I know we had a full moon last couple days !!!;;; but wow there are some sick puppies around here . all I had to do was turn computer screen up side down or was it down side up ?? 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550570 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 28 Share Posted April 28 10 hours ago, mattb73lt said: It’s probably your perspective, maybe just spin your computer 180 degrees. It should look correct🤣🤣. But yes they do open to the sides. Lots of room in them. I have a shelf to add to the left one to help keep it organized. bet they double as a good hide away from the other half and the honey do list ,,LOL 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550571 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post mattb73lt Posted April 30 Author Popular Post Share Posted April 30 Mechohaulic, here's a front wheel with the nut covers installed and one more of the truck after I polished the new boxes. I still have to slap myself that it's mine and that I did it. 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550769 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mechohaulic Posted April 30 Share Posted April 30 THANK YOU for update . question I was asking pertained to rear drive axle (15/16th ? ) nuts . with this unit better than most museum pieces , the axle nuts themselves are tarnished from air gun install. going in for red paint touch up or smaller nut chrome caps ? don't know as if I would want to "slap myself " with thoughts "it's mine "! my luck a slap would wake me up from a amazing dream to find out ; only a dream. not only a major positive reading/ watching this start to finish build ; most important the inspiration YOU have given so many to continue their builds. nothing on this build was in the ordinary. the B-73 / L cab not the usual B-61 etc; roll off bed not standard . perfect color red with no over kill on chrome. can really be pis--d off I can't make Deerfield ; dates are on my calendar for Bethlehem/ Brooklyn/ Macungie 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550780 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattb73lt Posted May 1 Author Share Posted May 1 I have the nut covers for the rear, but i need to order the 15/16" covers for the axle nuts. They're both cadmium plated and yes, once you hit htem with a wrench they will start to tarnish and rust. The front ones already were, even though I was careful installing the,. They are more exposed to the elements than the rears. We'll meet up at one of the upcoming shows!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550786 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 My favorite was the colored versions. Blue reflecter nut covers. As far as the rear goes. It looks good the way it is. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550818 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted May 1 Share Posted May 1 But I do like the idea about brushing the nuts in the studs, red black gray white … bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/41547-b-73-restoration/page/79/#findComment-550819 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.