Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) A friend of mine got a R model with a farm he bought. He's been trying to sell it for 6k, I offered 3k. I've been driving for 6 years and would like to have a toy to work on. The frame/tanks/springs/break Chambers/engine still have paint (gold valve cover, fancy), no cracks in the double frame, and the cab has some crusty spots, hood is perfect. Was just used at a cement plant hauling gravel then the farm and shows 345397 miles and the hour meter has 7409 hours (has a pto). With a battery and a can of starting fluid it should fire up, last ran 2 years ago has been kept in the barn since 1985(last sticker on it). Twin stick with Lo-Direct+reverse on the 2nd stick (6-speed?). I want it, am I crazy? Or crazy if I don't buy it. Edited May 24, 2019 by Rockland Steel 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddeere Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Buy it . If you do not you may regret later . 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423622 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) 10 minutes ago, eddeere said: Buy it . If you do not you may regret later . I think you're right. It's got a turbo on it and the after cooler. My 2015 Volvo has more crust on it than this thing running in Canada. And a cab is no big deal on these. Well, it might have an after cooler, I don't know exactly what's what. I just like it. Edited May 24, 2019 by Rockland Steel Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423623 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 285 with tip turbine? With camelback suspension...it will beat you to pieces driving it bobtail. But it will be fun!!!! LOL!! 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423627 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 (edited) 41 minutes ago, Freightrain said: 285 with tip turbine? With camelback suspension...it will beat you to pieces driving it bobtail. But it will be fun!!!! LOL!! Not a single air bag to be found on it. Straight from pothole to spine. And i'd love every second. I'll see if I can upload some pictures. Looking at the picture now its just a 237 Maxi with a turbo, only one pipe to the air cleaner. Edited May 24, 2019 by Rockland Steel Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423638 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423641 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freightrain Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Barn fresh!!!! Little crusty here/there, but doesn't look too bad. Hows the rain gutter area? The roofs tend to rot off those trucks. 1 Quote Larry 1959 B61 Liv'n Large...................... Charter member of the "MACK PACK" Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423642 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Freightrain said: Barn fresh!!!! Little crusty here/there, but doesn't look too bad. Hows the rain gutter area? The roofs tend to rot off those trucks. The gutter itself is mostly rot off, but no holes that i can find on the inside, headliner is still in it. Its full of dust and ancient cow shit so I didn't do a whole lot of digging. Just wanted to see if the frame was alright, I could find a cab if I wanted but it wouldn't take much to make some patch panels and fix it the right way. I say this now, but the pressure washer might reveal who knows what. I was just surprised at the shiny gold paint under all of that dust on the engine. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423643 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Looks like it's got 10 air bags to me so ought to ride like a cloud..... 1 Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423644 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Rob said: Looks like it's got 10 air bags to me so ought to ride like a cloud..... Yea, a thunder cloud lmao Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423646 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 27 minutes ago, Rockland Steel said: Yea, a thunder cloud lmao I have a few of em so vaguely familiar..... 1 Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423647 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 1 minute ago, Rob said: I have a few of em so vaguely familiar..... Right, airbags, tires, im a little slow, forgive me. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423648 Share on other sites More sharing options...
41chevy Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Most all panels are available. BUY IT !! 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/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423650 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 1 minute ago, 41chevy said: Most all panels are available. BUY IT !! Hes looking for the paperwork for it. He couldnt find the paperwork for the tanker trailer either and I got it out of the tube on the frame. Maybe i should have looked for it. lol Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423652 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 Best thing you can do for your back if you're going to drive this truck every day is convert the cab to air ride. This'll involve a new fuel tank support cross member, deleting the current radiator support arms from the cab (replace with a couple diagonals from the frame) and the hood bumpers on the top of the firewall need to be converting to a roller style instead of the rigid type. Might be more, but those are some important things to watch for. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423654 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 24, 2019 Author Share Posted May 24, 2019 8 minutes ago, JoeH said: Best thing you can do for your back if you're going to drive this truck every day is convert the cab to air ride. This'll involve a new fuel tank support cross member, deleting the current radiator support arms from the cab (replace with a couple diagonals from the frame) and the hood bumpers on the top of the firewall need to be converting to a roller style instead of the rigid type. Might be more, but those are some important things to watch for. Nah, its just a toy to tool around in. It does have a really cushy thick foam seat in it. No rips in it. But I don;t think its going to have the same bounce and sway as a Volvo 780 xD Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423656 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 24, 2019 Share Posted May 24, 2019 I have no trouble spending your money so I vote for Buy It. A 685 would have been born with a 237 Maxidyne and turbo (no cooling). Also a big fan of the X107 6 speed trans. Very versatile unit. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423664 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 1 hour ago, j hancock said: I have no trouble spending your money so I vote for Buy It. A 685 would have been born with a 237 Maxidyne and turbo (no cooling). Also a big fan of the X107 6 speed trans. Very versatile unit. Yes sir. I imagine it's what I'll do. What else am I saving money for. I have another 35 years before retirement lol Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423668 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 It's 6 speeds forward (low on the right stick sets every gear to the equivalent of the gear below it, i.e. 2nd acts like 1st, 3rd like 2nd, etc.) And 5 speeds reverse. Nothing pops a grease monkey's eyes open like shifting from 1st through fourth in reverse. And on a straight truck there is no better transmission for offroading. (3rd gear reverse has gotten me through some soft mud many times in our volumetric concrete trucks. Your momentum and continued power application is invaluable.). Only downside is these trucks tend to hit the governor around 62mph. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423669 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maddog13407 Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 looks about a 69 70, 71 with the marker lights and reflectors on the fenders. buy it... they don't make them anymore. looks like someone changed the air cleaner to the newer style and ditched the oil bath 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423670 Share on other sites More sharing options...
j hancock Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 Has the +3 cab. 1 Quote JimIt doesn't cost anything to pay attention. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423672 Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeH Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 I've got a flat back r685 with pretty much same air filter housing. I think that's stock. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423673 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 10 hours ago, Maddog13407 said: looks about a 69 70, 71 with the marker lights and reflectors on the fenders. buy it... they don't make them anymore. looks like someone changed the air cleaner to the newer style and ditched the oil bath Also has the real old fuel tank bracket and strap. terry Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423690 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockland Steel Posted May 25, 2019 Author Share Posted May 25, 2019 11 hours ago, JoeH said: It's 6 speeds forward (low on the right stick sets every gear to the equivalent of the gear below it, i.e. 2nd acts like 1st, 3rd like 2nd, etc.) And 5 speeds reverse. Nothing pops a grease monkey's eyes open like shifting from 1st through fourth in reverse. And on a straight truck there is no better transmission for offroading. (3rd gear reverse has gotten me through some soft mud many times in our volumetric concrete trucks. Your momentum and continued power application is invaluable.). Only downside is these trucks tend to hit the governor around 62mph. Most Canadian trucks at 62-65 anyway lol 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423692 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bullheaded Posted May 25, 2019 Share Posted May 25, 2019 18 hours ago, 41chevy said: Most all panels are available. BUY IT !! Panels are still available? I would not have thought that considering Mack doesn't stock any motor parts any more. I saw my old R model a couple weeks ago. Pretty sad sight. cab is rotten, motor has been replaced and is shot, they even put mufflers on it!!! 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/57368-1973-r685st/#findComment-423699 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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