Hook n ladder 1 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I need some info about a project Im going to start in a few years. I want to use an MR as a road tractor and put a decent sized sleeper on it maybe an ARI sleeper or something. I'll farm out most of the work. There will be a long line of questions as I go. I'm entertaining all kinds of ideas. Such as do i buy one of the old post office tractors and start there. Do i buy a straight truck and convert it to a tractor. An older fire engine or ladder truck chassis maybe be an option. Im looking for tandem with ar ride 400 hp or higher and 10 or 13 speed. I may also go with a 6x2 chassis but i do do some rock/stone hauling now so they may not work for me. So some of my intial questions are these: 1. How much heavier is a double frame over a single frame ( i know length will affect this) 2: How dfficult is it to change rear end ratios and to convert camelback to air ride? 3: Does a heavy front axle (20,000lb rated) weigh that much more than a 12,000 lb front axle? Thanks in advance. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 You sure you wanna do this? Most MRs are refuse trucks, they're heavy and get beat to hell. The exception is the Post Office Mack tractors, not much heavier than a CH. Most of them that have survived are '96s with 300 Mack power, Allison HT740 automatic, and 3.90 Eaton rears on air. Frames are 3/8" deep belly with 23k or 40k rears and 12k Mack front axle. That's what you got to work with... Would make a good tractor for city use, but with the barn door aerodynamics and 3.90 gears it's burn too much fuel for long haul use. 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342053 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kscarbel2 Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 38 minutes ago, Hook n ladder 1 said: I need some info about a project Im going to start in a few years. I want to use an MR as a road tractor and put a decent sized sleeper on it maybe an ARI sleeper or something. I'll farm out most of the work. There will be a long line of questions as I go. I'm entertaining all kinds of ideas. Such as do i buy one of the old post office tractors and start there. Do i buy a straight truck and convert it to a tractor. An older fire engine or ladder truck chassis maybe be an option. Im looking for tandem with ar ride 400 hp or higher and 10 or 13 speed. I may also go with a 6x2 chassis but i do do some rock/stone hauling now so they may not work for me. So some of my initial questions are these: 1. How much heavier is a double frame over a single frame ( i know length will affect this) 2: How dfficult is it to change rear end ratios and to convert camelback to air ride? 3: Does a heavy front axle (20,000lb rated) weigh that much more than a 12,000 lb front axle? Thanks in advance. You would want to use an ex-Post Office truck. But what are you going to do about parts? Volvo doesn't want to support trucks in excess of 15 years of age. When/if they still do, they charge you a ridiculous amount. If your goal is to make a profit............... . Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342057 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dirtymilkman Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Don't worry about gear ratios or getting air ride. You just find one with the motor and tranny you want. You can buy a "cutoff" real axle setup cheap to slide under it. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342062 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook n ladder 1 Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share Posted August 12, 2016 What I didn't mention is more than likely I will not use a refuse truck chassis. I worked for Waste Management 25 years ago and drove an MR so Im aware of the beating they take. Also I have to disagree about Volvo not supporting parts after 15 years. I have an 18 y/o CH and have no prob getting parts. I know a 1998 CH isn't much different than a 2003 as far as parts. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342097 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superdog Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Wish I had some pics,but a good friend of mine had a MC685 tractor he ran for quite awhile,hauled livestock,grain,flatbed and tanker with it. The local Mack dealer ordered it as a single axle tractor and it sat on the lot quite awhile,Larry was needing a new truck and had a couple old F models in the weeds,took the tandems out of one of those and made a twin screw MC. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342116 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 I've only driven one "compact" tractor it was one of those godawful international cabovers with a 5speed column shift.!! Was for Wilson freight off the local 249 extra board. Was wondering why you want one! If you need a short Cabover sleeper the dealers are giving them away! The freight companies have a buyback arrangement with the dealers, usually at 3 yrs so their trucks are always under warranty.The 0/0's want big power "large cars" so the short Cabovers go cheap. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342121 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillyT Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 Hook n ladder 1, I agree with teamster Grrrl wouldn't be an economical road horse.Plus you know how they ride!! If you must have a Mack,there are a lot of MH Cabover around which are well built and comfortable.However, as Dirty Milkman says there are a lot of "cutoffs" around with any combo you want around, saw a couple on Tampa Craig's list today. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342122 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook n ladder 1 Posted August 13, 2016 Author Share Posted August 13, 2016 I never thought of the cutoff idea but you're right theres a lot around especially in my 'hood (Chicago). Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342141 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 There was a fellow I saw at a race a few weeks ago using an MR with a small "toter" on the back pulling a 40ft race trailer. Neat little tractor, should have taken a picture of it. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342518 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted August 15, 2016 Share Posted August 15, 2016 Here is an MR hauler from a while back. http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/30360-1984-mr-toy-hauler/ Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342524 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted August 16, 2016 Share Posted August 16, 2016 Very similar to what I saw. Not quite as big of box though. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342621 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post jdfordhd Posted August 21, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted August 21, 2016 I searched for a couple good USPS tractors to make counterweight toters. I found the single axle in Denver and the tandem in Sioux Falls, S.D. Me and my guys love driving these trucks. Easy to get in and out of. Automatics with air ride and air starters. 4 Quote "If it ain't got a motor, I ain't interested.!!" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342947 Share on other sites More sharing options...
TeamsterGrrrl Posted August 21, 2016 Share Posted August 21, 2016 I drove for USPS for several years and the MRs were fun trucks to drive- Excellent maneuverability and visibility and with the Allison automatic they seemed like they had a lot more than 300 horsepower! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-342972 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Green Dash Posted August 22, 2016 Popular Post Share Posted August 22, 2016 This handsome fella was at the Watts Mack show on Saturday. Whenever i see a tandem tractor I assume it's ex-USPS, but I could be mistaken. 5 Quote Jim Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-343162 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Took a picture of it bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-343172 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted August 22, 2016 Share Posted August 22, 2016 Made it home safe Bob? That MR was kinda unusual and caught me eye. Just don't see any dolled up like that. Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-343202 Share on other sites More sharing options...
BC Mack Posted August 23, 2016 Share Posted August 23, 2016 saw this one a few years ago, local truck, not seen it lately.... BC Mack Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-343240 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hook n ladder 1 Posted August 27, 2016 Author Share Posted August 27, 2016 The Watts pic and the crane toter pics are great 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-343726 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jkruss82 Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 nickname is the Plum 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-345807 Share on other sites More sharing options...
bbigrig Posted September 15, 2016 Share Posted September 15, 2016 On 22/08/2016 at 8:53 PM, BC Mack said: saw this one a few years ago, local truck, not seen it lately.... BC Mack This truck is actually an MRU with an MP series engine. It's for sale in BC. It's on truck paper. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/46418-mr-road-tractor/#findComment-345810 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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