79 mack rs786l

[mornin]

I am new to Mack. Been more of a Pete guy but have found a lot of really cheap old Mack trucks Ihave been thinking about buying this one 79 r model. It has an air shift 12 speed with a 300plus motor. I want it more or less for a farm truck for now and I'd like to stretch it and put a sleeper and air ride on it just want to knowa few things this truck doesn't have an engine brake I've done some reading on smacks thermodine and some say it's a joke others like it and I know Jacobs makes one also is it true you need a different cam with a thermodine I assume this isn't a air ride cab do they make a kit to make it air ride. Who is a good supplier of parts as far and interior goes on theses trucks anything  I should look out for truck pulled low boy and has a two like wet kit 

 

Thanks

[j hancock]

Start looking for interior pieces because lots of them are off the books at Mack.  If you are going to stretch it out, get an air ride cutoff and you should be able to skip the air ride cab.

[41chevy]

My R had an air ride cab, I took it off and tossed it after I ran the truck for a few months.  With Air ride you wouldn't really need it. Like Jim said, look for interior parts, most all else is available.   Paul 

[mornin]

Thanks for the replys any help on putting a sleeper on a day cab? How well do the Mack air rides ride haven't really drove many Mack trucks

[mornin]

Also how hard is it to come by the pieces the headlights mount in the aluminum or what ever the guy put square superliner lights on it and I would like to put the factory round ones back in it 

[j hancock]

Finding a real nice sleeper will be the first trick.  Depending on what you find, making mounts won't too difficult.  A donor hood may be the best bet for bringing the headlights back to stock depending on how much they did putting in the Superliner lights.