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Mack Truck Car Hauler Project

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by jim_ss409, Jan 24, 2010.

  1. jim_ss409
    Joined: Dec 2, 2008
    Posts: 202

    jim_ss409
    Member

    My racing partner and I are building a B model Mack pickup to pull an enclosed 5th wheel race trailer. Now that we finally got the cab back on to the frame I thought I'd post some progress pictures.

    Here's a couple I took today.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    Here's a sketch of the original plan we made before we got the truck.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    We were looking for a Mack tractor but came across a deal on a 57 Mack fire engine.

    [​IMG]


    I felt bad about using a fire engine but it's a great truck because it's virtually rust free. Even the frame was really nice.

    [​IMG]


    We pulled the box off and cut it down.

    [​IMG]


    Here it is while we were mocking it up to see how it was going to look.
    We had to keep the sides low in order to clear the trailer.

    [​IMG]



    The Mack had a 707 ci gas engine and parts are hard to find so we decided to re-power to a more modern diesel engine and driveline from an International school bus. The bus rear bumper worked great once we narrowed it a bit.

    [​IMG]


    We welded a piece of 5" truck exhaust to the fender to hold a tail light.

    [​IMG]


    Here the box is a little farther along. We re-used the running boards.

    [​IMG]


    We made a sunvisor and the stacks are propped up in place in this picture.

    [​IMG]


    Once we got things mocked up we pulled everything apart. We do our own sandblasting, it's a big job.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]


    We used the axles from the bus because they have disc brakes and parts are readily available. They also accept modern hub piloted truck rims.

    [​IMG]


    The engine is actually an International DT466 turbo diesel but we painted it Caterpillar yellow because we liked the color better. The wheels and tires on this truck are exactly the same size as those on the Kenworth beside it.

    [​IMG]


    I'll carry on with a few more pictures later.

    Jim
     
  2. Mr48chev
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 33,861

    Mr48chev
    ALLIANCE MEMBER

    I hate to see a fire truck in great shape bite it but that is going to be one fantastic hauler when it is done.
     
  3. Undercover Customs
    Joined: Mar 24, 2009
    Posts: 362

    Undercover Customs
    Member

    That thing is going to be sweet. What year Mack is that?
     
  4. power58
    Joined: Sep 7, 2008
    Posts: 432

    power58
    Member

    Fantastic build, top flight work, keep us posted.
     

  5. FrozenMerc
    Joined: Sep 4, 2009
    Posts: 3,092

    FrozenMerc
    Member

    Beautiful Truck, I am looking for to seeing pics of it finished!!!. Keep up the good work.
     
  6. Von Rigg Fink
    Joined: Jun 11, 2007
    Posts: 13,418

    Von Rigg Fink
    Member
    from Garage

    would love to have a tow rig like this..sweet,
     
  7. captainjunk#2
    Joined: Mar 13, 2008
    Posts: 4,420

    captainjunk#2
    Member

    pretty awesome build thanks for sharing your photos of your work
     
  8. ratrodder34
    Joined: Dec 28, 2007
    Posts: 2,219

    ratrodder34
    Member
    from Irvine,ky.

    I'm in love with MACK and didnt know it...so ashamed I am. That thing will cause more accidents going down the highway with rubber neckers it wont be funny. Is totally awesome it is.
     
  9. The Shocker
    Joined: Dec 30, 2004
    Posts: 3,538

    The Shocker
    Member

    Very cool.Im really starting to get a craving for a vintage hauler for myself .I like the old Macks and cant wait to see that one finished with a trailer attached to it ...
     
  10. OldSub
    Joined: Aug 27, 2003
    Posts: 1,064

    OldSub
    Member Emeritus

    Firetrucks often make the best starting places for truck projects. They spend much of their lives stored inside and carefully maintained. Catch an old one before it spends 20 years sitting unused in a field and most likely you have a solid body as your starting place.

    Great project, I love it. Please keep posting more photos as you go. I'm particularly interested in how you made your visor.
     
  11. bigroy
    Joined: Nov 25, 2009
    Posts: 159

    bigroy
    Member

    That's just to sweet.Should make for a grate to rig.
     
  12. kisam
    Joined: Feb 28, 2005
    Posts: 1,922

    kisam
    Member

    Wow! What a car hauler! Nice job.
     
  13. The Brudwich
    Joined: Oct 3, 2005
    Posts: 788

    The Brudwich
    Member

    Really awesome project, keep up the good work!
     
  14. Terry
    Joined: Jul 3, 2002
    Posts: 1,824

    Terry
    Member

    Love big trucks! Awesome!
     
  15. blt2go
    Joined: Oct 27, 2009
    Posts: 551

    blt2go
    Member

    that's a great truck. i would always lean toward using a fire truck because of the way they are cared for.
     
  16. xlr8
    Joined: Jun 26, 2006
    Posts: 700

    xlr8
    Member
    from Idaho

    I wouldn't feel too guilty about cutting up the firetruck, once their useful lives are over fighting fire there is very little demand for the fire apparatus part. You are putting it to way better use and more people will see and appreciate it. The Mack gods are smiling.
     
  17. low-n-slo54
    Joined: Jul 25, 2009
    Posts: 1,920

    low-n-slo54
    Member

    Man that thing is awesome! Subscribing to this one.
     
  18. fab32
    Joined: May 14, 2002
    Posts: 13,985

    fab32
    Member Emeritus

    Anyone who can't wrap their mind around this one ought to check for a pulse. I agree that firetrucks make great building platforms for hauling projects as you won't find a better maintained platform or pristine sheet metal candidate anywhere. Please keep posting the progress on this one it's going to be sweet.

    Frank
     
  19. ChevyRat
    Joined: Oct 12, 2007
    Posts: 575

    ChevyRat
    Member

    WOW - That is great. I'm jealous.
     
  20. What a cool project. Please keep the updates coming.
     
  21. 57tailgater
    Joined: Nov 22, 2008
    Posts: 845

    57tailgater
    Member
    from Georgia

    B model Macks are cool and the new drivetrain was a good move. Very nice design of the rear body portion too. Love the super singles in the back! Does it have power steering? Looks like it's getting closer to time to make the big haul! :cool:
     
  22. Falcon Gasser
    Joined: Aug 29, 2007
    Posts: 940

    Falcon Gasser
    Member

    That is really great, nice work. When do you think it will be on the road?

    Jon
     
  23. Falcon Gasser
    Joined: Aug 29, 2007
    Posts: 940

    Falcon Gasser
    Member

    [​IMG]

    Jim are you guys using an Allison trans? Also are those Super 60 tires on the back?

    Jon
     
  24. YukonCor55
    Joined: Nov 20, 2009
    Posts: 16

    YukonCor55
    Member

    What a gorgeous Mack! I'd love to see it inperson...Maybe you can drive it down to Macungie, PA this summer for the 2010 Antique Truck show??
     
  25. BStoltz
    Joined: Mar 30, 2009
    Posts: 123

    BStoltz
    Member

    dam thats an awesome project.... looks like you guys have a helluva nice shop to work in too.....
     
  26. No Cents
    Joined: Feb 28, 2009
    Posts: 335

    No Cents
    Member

    Awesome build. Can't wait to see more pics. [​IMG] [​IMG]
     
  27. harpo1313
    Joined: Jan 4, 2008
    Posts: 2,584

    harpo1313
    Member
    from wareham,ma

    second life for that bad boy.nice work on that bed.
     
  28. flynbrian48
    Joined: Mar 10, 2008
    Posts: 8,220

    flynbrian48
    Member

    Way, way cool. Keep us posted!
     
  29. exStreamliner
    Joined: Apr 7, 2009
    Posts: 1,553

    exStreamliner
    Member

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