Popular Post Tinman22 Posted March 8, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2022 After 23 years I have finally taken my father in laws truck home. It was used to pull asphalt tankers from the Toledo to jobsites around two counties in n.w. ohio. since 1985 its managed a whole 164000 miles. We have started going thru it and should have it back to work pulling a flatbed hauling local steel in a month or so. It has an e6-350/t2090 and mack 38k rears. Unfortunately It was only driven in the summer so it has sat every winter since its purchase in 1985. So far we have replaced the radiator, A/C condenser,A/C lines,power steering lines,fuel lines,swapped steel fuel tanks for an aluminum set,aluminum battery box covers,oil cooler,alternator,all brake cans and shoes,a couple of wheel seals,ten new tires,air dryer,several hundred light bulbs,welded up a hole in the cac,oil pan gasket and all fluids. It still needs a new one piece composite headliner and full interior if such a thing even exists. Im taking alot of ribbing from family and friends for its age but I figured if it could do it in 1985 it can do it today. we run two lane state highways all the time between gary indiana and toledo so no hills and 55 mph. I dont think ive used all 500 hp in the other truck in years so 350 should do it. Ill try and put up some shots of it in before and after condition. 4 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
67RModel Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 8 hours ago, Tinman22 said: Unfortunately It was only driven in the summer so it has sat every winter since its purchase in 1985. I think you meant fortunately 😄 8 hours ago, Tinman22 said: It still needs a new one piece composite headliner and full interior if such a thing even exists. There was a guy on here a year or two ago selling or at least taking orders for full cab kits for R models. I think actually yesterday the thread was resurrected. It seems maybe Covid put the guy out of business? I think in the thread there someone listed a company in Australia making interior pieces too. 8 hours ago, Tinman22 said: Im taking alot of ribbing from family and friends for its age but I figured if it could do it in 1985 it can do it today. we run two lane state highways all the time between gary indiana and toledo so no hills and 55 mph. Yes I love how 350hp was more than adequate 35 years ago but most people seem to think an engine like this is irrelevant today. I wouldn't hesitate a minute to run that powertrain even in the hills of Pennsylvania. Heck my 94 RD dump has a 250hp Maxidyne. Probably not pulling the weight you will be but she certainly slows down on the hills but gets me there every time. I really could not care less if people behind me get angry. As far as I'm concerned everyone is in too much of a hurry all the time anyway. In my opinion you will be way further ahead going this route than financing yourself to death on one of these new trucks. As long as parts continue to be available your better off with a truck like this than anything made past 2002/2003 really. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491210 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 Excellent that’s a good start changing all those parts that much left to go sour on you once you get started excellent choice best of luck to you…. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491213 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 I ran an E6. In he 80e myself really liked it …. Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491214 Share on other sites More sharing options...
terry Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 Should give you alot of trouble free miles for a long time! Alot better than them emission plagued engines along side of the road! terry Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491217 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Share Posted March 8, 2022 I found the post about the interior sets but it didn't seem to lead anywhere. we have a 94 tandem dump that a driver put in a ditch out back. the interior is there but its grey not tan. I guess it would work if needed. I have a freightliner 132 midroof with a detroit/13 speed and a 270" wb. Im just really tired of driving it. The sleeper is a waste of weight and sometimes its just to much truck in tight spaces. I was looking at newer pre 2000 daycabs and the prices seemed a bit high and we figured that money could be better spent elsewhere. Three weeks till its done. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491218 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post 67RModel Posted March 8, 2022 Popular Post Share Posted March 8, 2022 In my opinion the only thing your 85 R model gives up against anything new or even your Freightliner would be a bit of engine/road noise comfort. These old Macks are very noisy inside by modern standards, which can be fatiguing if driven for hours on end. Just about every other metric imaginable the R model will win in my opinion: reliability, simplicity, aesthetics, economy, etc. 2 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491221 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Share Posted March 8, 2022 I agree it is kind of like riding in a coffe can. I ordered 2 gallons each of lizzard skin heat barrier and sound deadener. I figured that and some interior panels would bring it down to good enough. I jumped into a friends new (2017) volvo a few weeks ago and after awhile not being able to hear all of the typical noises got me wondering if something was going bad that i couldn't hear. 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491233 Share on other sites More sharing options...
james j neiweem Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 Was the cab galvanized? They started in about 85 or so. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491238 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Share Posted March 8, 2022 In the places the sun has baked the paint off like the roof it looks like it could be. It was only driven between april and august so it's in pretty good shape. There are some places where stones have peppered the cab and it looks like brown coming thru. It's set for a paint redo in two weeks either dark green and black or dark red and black not sure yet. It was originally white. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491239 Share on other sites More sharing options...
67RModel Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 You should upload some pictures of it. Everyone here loves pictures and a rust free 85 R model with only 165,000 origianl miles would be eye candy. 1 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491241 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 I ran a 73 and I do believe the plus 3 cab was a lot quieter than the 60s models but no it’s not going to be as quiet as the Volvo… Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491247 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 8, 2022 Author Share Posted March 8, 2022 I don't know if its quit "eye candy" but it is rust free and low miles. The kids have been calling it Ugly Betty. i've got some shots of it in several states of disarray. i'll get some up when i get home. Does anybody have a fix for the springs located on the hood hinges? These seem to be very soft. The hood comes up quit a bit in the front when you hit a frost heave or bridge joint. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491270 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 I don’t think there is any springs the pins do wear out sometimes … Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491278 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 It’s probably just the front end going up and down… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491279 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted March 8, 2022 Share Posted March 8, 2022 my 85 had a 300 in it and would keep up with most anything on the road. it had 27 miles on it when i got into it, and a little over 450,000 miles on it when they sold it in 2001. a friend sent me a link to a for sale ad in New Hampshire back in december. guy was asking $19,000 for it with over 800,000 miles on it. we knew it was my truck because of the custom paint. the name was changed, but the number was still the same. big blue #34 on the side of the hood. 1 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491289 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 its definatly springs. the hood is off. ill go get a shot of them in a min. they are real week. maybe a couple of valve springs welded together and cut to fit? 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491369 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) 'here the be. Edited March 29, 2022 by Tinman22 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491370 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Wow I have never seen springs on them… Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491445 Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjh Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 (edited) 30 minutes ago, mowerman said: Wow I have never seen springs on them… Bob Very common on RD SX and most RD of that vintage! took a lot of stress off the hood in adverse conditions! Edited March 9, 2022 by fjh 1 Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491447 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 OK thanks for that I had a 87 U model years back I don’t remember any Springs and of course my 66 does not have them they are actually a pretty good idea… Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491448 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 You know now that I put my thinking cap on I sold that U model in 1990 and I am really not sure now it might’ve had the Springs …… bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491449 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tinman22 Posted March 9, 2022 Author Share Posted March 9, 2022 I think im going to try some big block chrysler valve springs welded together and cut down to fit. maybe get half the bounce out of it but still have some give. Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491452 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tjc transport Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 the nut is to tighten the load on the springs for less "bounce" unless they are already cranked all the way down. 2 Quote when you are up to your armpits in alligators, it is hard to remember you only came in to drain the swamp.. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491453 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mowerman Posted March 9, 2022 Share Posted March 9, 2022 Well now I am wondering if maybe it’s supposed to bounce up and down that way or do you think it’s bouncing way too much.:: Bob Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/69341-almost-new-1985-r688st/#findComment-491455 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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