B75 vs LTL

[reb87]

I’m thinking about getting a vintage Mack for hauling corn because I love the way these old trucks look.  It got me thinking about the criteria for getting a new truck and what the original purchaser was thinking when he choose one truck over the other.  Why would someone choose a L cab B series truck over a LTL or vice versa.  I really like both of these trucks and wondered what the individual selling points of each were

[mowerman]

well thier all beefy trucks,,,,strait B models,are alot easier to find versus B75 or 73 L cab or an LTL good luck,,,bob

[Red Horse]

3 hours ago, reb87 said:

I’m thinking about getting a vintage Mack for hauling corn because I love the way these old trucks look.  It got me thinking about the criteria for getting a new truck and what the original purchaser was thinking when he choose one truck over the other.  Why would someone choose a L cab B series truck over a LTL or vice versa.  I really like both of these trucks and wondered what the individual selling points of each were

You are asking a logical question which many ask.  Mack spent a lot of money to design the new B Model with its "Aero look" and in so doing produced a cab that was less comfortable and with less visibility than the truck it was designed to replace.  I've always felt it came down to marketing guys-even in the early fifties they did exist- who felt they had to offer something new.  Ask me what was better about the B, let me think..................uh give me a few more days😎

[yarnall]

The B model was introduced in 1953 and the LTL was discontinued in 1956 so if you wanted the L cab after that you had to get it on a B chassis.  

[D2Denny]

As Red Horse stated the B cab was quite a bit smaller than the L cab. The L appealed to the true over the road driver (owner operator) who needed a sleeper which would be much easer to enter than contorting yourself around in a B cab to try to climb into an add on sleeper.   Most B's used by the freight fleets were relay and slip seat operations, so no need for a sleeper.

As a side note, if your going to haul crops, Every fall I see several really nice day cab  R's and Superliners that area farmers use to haul their crops to the local Grainery. They really stand out, have decent power, and can still be found at a reasonable price.

[reb87]

This is what I have been using.  400hp big cam and either an Allison 5 speed or cat 7155 air shift. 

[reb87]

This one is cat 3126 and Allison 7 speed. 

[h67st]

We have a lot of farmers here with R models and Superliners, but I haven't seen any military trucks! Pretty neat.

[mowerman]

Hell, yeah that’s some cool stuff. I thought you were just barely starting out looking for your first one.Bob

[Brocky]

Other than being Military Ugly  it looks like the fleet you have is great for going into the fields and reliability.

[reb87]

I bought these trucks twenty years ago when the gov was flooding the market. I’ve been very thankful for them. Mostly use the m915a1 6x4 trucks but when harvest is wet or snowy I dig out the 6x6 trucks.  Ive hauled 1000 bushels in knee deep snow out of the field and left 12 inch ruts in the mud doing the same in rainy years.   One thing about older military trucks is you are really part of whatever the weather is when you are driving one.  If it’s wet you will probably get wet.  I’d like to get a Mack for a tighter cab and doors and windows that close a little better. 

[BOBWhite]

Wow I've never seen something like that! A few ranchers around here use military truck in winter for water haulage but the farmers seem to shy away from them. Probably not going to haul very much very fast with an LTL or B series but they would still look cool. The 60s International grain trucks have the best sealed cab (from dust at least) in my experience. Good luck!

[reb87]

This m920 8x6 has a 400hp big cam Cummins cat 7155 air shift 16 spd. 52 inch tall 16 inch wide tires, full lockers on rear and unlocked front with air tag.  Rear bogies rated 56k lbs it is a beast.  The straight truck m919 has the same drivetrain with out the lockers but is 6x6. 

[mattb73lt]

An LTL or a B series with the L cab? Good question. Both run the same cab and could run the some of the same engines. The main difference is the front nose clip and then what appeals to you the most. The B front end is a bit shorter, but has integral fenders vs cycle fenders. Most B parts are a lot easier to find than L models. The frame of the B is later so more modern and more plentiful. Some L parts can be extremely hard to find. The cabs themselves were not as durable, so they'll both suffer there, rot and fatigue can reek havoc. Both were somewhat low production, number wise. Survivors in good shape can demand a higher price for either. But, I think the LT series demands more money overall.

Considering the B vs L cab, the L is much more comfortable and has better visibility. The B cab had better manufacturing processes and was much more durable, but very cramped. This is a non-issue for your question.

I think it will come down to which is more pleasing to your eyes, it's configuration to suit your needs and what is it worth to you? I lean more towards the B series, as I like it's more finished appearance, but it would be a hard choice between the two.

[cruiseliner64]

21 hours ago, reb87 said:

This one is cat 3126 and Allison 7 speed. 

You have some really interesting trucks there.the sandy coloured cabover you have is it a KAMAZ?...It looks like one iv seen on a visit to Ukraine  back in 2019..

Paul

[reb87]

2 hours ago, cruiseliner64 said:

You have some really interesting trucks there.the sandy coloured cabover you have is it a KAMAZ?...It looks like one iv seen on a visit to Ukraine  back in 2019..

Paul

It is a 2004 FMTV Stewart Stevenson m1088a1. It was derived from the Austrian Steyr truck but built in the US

[cruiseliner64]

Ah yes the Steyr,Very similar cab to the Kamaz.In fact its so close i wouldnt be shocked to find its the same cab shell as i think they had an agreement at one time.what engine does it have?

Paul

[Freightrain]

A B model for more comfort?  That is going in the wrong direction.  Lol.

My heat works great in the summer and the AC works good in the winter.  😂. Unless you do a lot of upgrades, they are drafty old trucks(kinda like an army truck).

I've used mine for the last 23 summers to drag my race car around the East Coast.  I added a 237 for some power, cruise control, AC, air steering, air ride.  Still rides like a slow moving 50's buckboard.  You will miss that 400 Cummins!  I would recommend an R model with some factory power.

[harrybarbon]

It is ultimately a question of time and $'s, what do you want or have to invest in your desires. For class and style, an LTL is the bees knees. With some modern additions maybe a Mack E9 V8, air con, power steer and air bag rears an LTL would be awesome. Otherwise a well kept R model would be a good choice, although the prices seem to have risen for good trucks. Have a look at Willard Goods attached LTL for some thinking.  

[harrybarbon]

I recall maybe on here, a video of a working LTL towing a bull hauling trialer, it was pretty good too.

[tjc transport]

years ago there was a video on youtube of a LTL with V8 engine pulling i think a dozer up a mountain dirt road. 

[Mark T]

That Good truck , wasn't too long ago it was a fairly easy thing to see it on route 322 working.  There was an extended hood W900 painted the same way too.  Beautiful trucks.

[Brocky]

Harry, You are thinking to of red and silver LTL and bull rack of Kranik (sp???) Ranch some where in Texas.. I have seen it a couple of times at Macungie, and maybe York also???

[reb87]

2 hours ago, harrybarbon said:

It is ultimately a question of time and $'s, what do you want or have to invest in your desires. For class and style, an LTL is the bees knees. With some modern additions maybe a Mack E9 V8, air con, power steer and air bag rears an LTL would be awesome. Otherwise a well kept R model would be a good choice, although the prices seem to have risen for good trucks. Have a look at Willard Goods attached LTL for some thinking.

 

what a beauty!  Thanks for all the input.  I think I am drawn to these vintage trucks because I really appreciate the workmanship and quality materials that went into the manufacture of old things. 

[mowerman]

I think I was pretty much gonna add the same thing by the time you get done investing, lots of time and money to get these things where you want them it’s a lot easier just to buy something a little newer and yes, R  model is a pretty perfect choice you could find something ready to work a lot of times 20 to 30,000 ready to go and accomplish what you need without running around the world looking for parts that are a lot of times way over priced and add shipping to that. Good luck whatever you choose…. Bob