Jamaican Bulldog Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I have always found the plus 3 cabs on the R and DM models to be more appealing than than the original flat back cabs pre 1973. However to me the back of some plus 3 cabs look different. For example the back of some R models don't look as curvy as some DM models. Where there different versions of the 'plus 3' cabs? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 For those of us who have never heard of them, what's a plus 3 cab? Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417378 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamaican Bulldog Posted March 6, 2019 Author Share Posted March 6, 2019 1 hour ago, JoeH said: For those of us who have never heard of them, what's a plus 3 cab? Before 1973 the R and DM models had a 'flat' back cab. After that the back were extended about 3" to make the cabs more roomy, they called these 'plus 3' cabs. The flat cab was still available on the U models. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417385 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 Interesting, never noticed. I think they did modify the cab a little here and there, I think the roof on my 95 RD is a little different from my 1979, but I don't recall for sure. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417392 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted March 6, 2019 Share Posted March 6, 2019 I believe the basic dimension of the +3 (CA 49) stayed the same but there has been some discussion that the body line crease next to the grab handle is present on same trucks and not on others. Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417411 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman Posted March 9, 2019 Share Posted March 9, 2019 700 Series Brockways had the plus 3 also! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417805 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamaican Bulldog Posted March 10, 2019 Author Share Posted March 10, 2019 (edited) It could be just me but some of the DM cabs looked like they had more of a curve around the belt line than the R models on the back of the cab. Edited March 10, 2019 by Jamaican Bulldog Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417815 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 15 hours ago, wingman said: 700 Series Brockways had the plus 3 also! Not all of them Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417863 Share on other sites More sharing options...
wingman Posted March 10, 2019 Share Posted March 10, 2019 Mine does, and so far have never seen one that didn't! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417914 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 U and DM 600 series rear body panel is bulged and not a full +3 , uses pre 73 roof. That give the more rounded look. The +3 R series in flat as per Hollander Crash books. 1 Quote "OPERTUNITY IS MISSED BY MOST PEOPLE BECAUSE IT IS DRESSED IN OVERALLS AND LOOKS LIKE WORK" Thomas Edison “Life’s journey is not to arrive at the grave safely, in a well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, totally worn out, shouting ‘Holy shit, what a ride!’” P.T.CHESHIRE Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417927 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swishy Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 it's only a model truck but gives U the idear wunder n how many times u bang u're nuckles in the door from the grab handle tooo F close WotSezU? cya 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417932 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmackpaul Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Well I believe the plus as you blokes who call it was a Australian first thought of and produced down under deal Due to a shortage of cabs from states Mack Australia made its own R model fiberglass cabs for a while and these were the first to have the buldge in the back of the cabto allow for it to be double skinned When the US saw this they set about making all R models the same This story has been told to me several times over the years and l believe it is even mentioned in the book about Leader trucks which were made by the same company that owned Mack Australia at the time Paul Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417940 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whiskymack Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 I think the U model came with the flat backed cab as standard to preserve the 90 inch BBC but could be specd. with a plus 3 cab if BBC wasn't critical. I think the body line crease behind the grab handle appeared in the late 70's but wasn't present on the earlier plus 3 cabs. Apart from that I can't see any difference in the curvature of the plus 3 back panel. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417959 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 3 hours ago, Rob said: If I remember correctly the "U" series never got the +3 cab. The "flat back" cabs always had the small grab handles like the B series used, (at least here). This is my 1972 parts R-685, and a B series cab: I've got a U single axle dump with the long handles. I forget if it's a + cab or not. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417960 Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreenGiant2 Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 My in laws 758 brock is not plus 3 or my 761 dump. Quote We the unwilling, Lead by the unqualified, are doing the impossible, for the ungrateful. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417969 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry T Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 We purchased 4 or 5 of these in the mid 1980's used. They were late 70's/early 80's models and they had the long grab handle. These were great little city tractors. Power steering, A/C, with a pup you could almost do a u-turn on a city street with them. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417972 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 If I am not mistaken some of the early U models had the bump for the short handle but used a U shaped long handle that started from the top two bolt holes, then came out and down a ways then doubled back up to connect to the bottom two holes. I believe I had one of these handles out in my shop, I will have look to see if it is still there. terry Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417980 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Mine has the same grab handle as the newest RD's, I pulled the pass side off the U to stick on my 2001 RD tractor. Fit like a glove. I've got the stomach bug, so I'm not going out today to see if it's a flatback or +3 cab. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417988 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swishy Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 So wot twaz the deal with the concave cab so much trouble to save a cupla inches cya Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417991 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Lol that looks like a custom job from a driver that got fired not too long after the boss saw it. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417993 Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve p Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 Mrs Mack Paul , the RP cabs were made for extreme conditions ie sand mining 2 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417994 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hayseed Posted March 11, 2019 Share Posted March 11, 2019 3 hours ago, Swishy said: So wot twaz the deal with the concave cab so much trouble to save a cupla inches cya Same reason Kenworth do It Today Swish.. To stay within the overall length Rules.. Quote "Be who you are and say what you feel...Because those that matter...don't mind...And those that mind....don't matter." - Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-417998 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobert62 Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 16 hours ago, Swishy said: So wot twaz the deal with the concave cab so much trouble to save a cupla inches cya I think it was a mistake, and they welded it together inside out. Atleast I'd like to cut mine out, flip it around, and put it back together. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-418015 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 The DM and U flatback cabs are both a Mack CA 361 (w rider seat) before the +3 cab came along. After the +3, the DM cab was a CA 491 (w rider seat) or CA 492 (without rider seat). The U model remained with a 36 series flatback cab but the CA 491 cab (+3) was available in 1981 until the end of the U model production. I believe the CA 363 designation used reflects the change to a plastic dash with a flatback. The flatback R models are a CA 36 and the +3 R model cab is a CA 49. The RW Superliner cab is a CA 494. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-418025 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted March 12, 2019 Share Posted March 12, 2019 Mr. Hancock to the rescue. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/55986-were-there-different-versions-of-macks-plus-3-cabs/#findComment-418031 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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