OT Mack DM

CBBC · Mar 27, 2016

Im going to look at late 80's Mack dump truck....I've actually already seen and driven it. It's pretty clean, good tires, clutch seems ok and shifts alright. It will need a few things done like some lights and an exhaust elbow...nothing glaring wrong to get it to pass inspection.

But I'm always skeptical, he's asking $6000 and I'm thinking there is something I'm missing. Anything special I should check for in these old trucks. I want to check the pH of the coolant. I have heard that if it's too high it can cause cavitation on the liners...that being said, what range should it be? I don't think he has done much recently so I don't believe he just changed it.

Any other thoughts or advice? Thanks Grant

showcrop · Mar 28, 2016

If you are going to check coolant, you want to be checking SCAs. You can pick up a vial of test strips at any heavy truck dealer. Check the frame closely. A lot of Macks built for dump use had double frames. moisture and salt would get in between the two rails and work 24-7 making them ultimately very weak.

RBnSC · Mar 28, 2016

I would say that was pretty cheap. I went to an auction with 10 DMs with mixers on the back and almost everyone had plans to buy them and put on dump beds. they went for 7k to 17k. If it runs and drives out ok I'd say you still have room for some repairs. We recently bought this DM roll back for more than twice what you're looking to spend.
Ron

f2355j · Mar 28, 2016

Start engine and let it run at slow idle, see how smooth it runs If it idles smooth that will be a good sign. I owned a 85RD with a 300 engine and before that a 74 with a 235. The 85 with the 300 had a 9 speed and was a very good work truck. I'm a smallish guy so cab was comfy for me but if you are over six feet tall cab lacks elbow room.

ericlb · Mar 28, 2016

if it runs and drives decent , for 6 grand you in cheap, the engine alone is worth more than that, macks are tough, but just check the usual things, oil, fresh oil may hide a leaking liner, if no unusual noises its probably good, tranny quiet in all gears, any major leaks on the whole truck, does the bed cycle properly? how are the tires, those are a big ticket item if you have to go and buy pairs of them, what are you going to do with it? if just running local or on a farm its probably a good buy,i bought a late 80's kw for 16 grand and drove it locally for 200 thousand miles with minimum problems, nothing unusual at all, and thats running in the mountains full time, sold it when the economy tanked, 6 grand will buy about a weeks worth of hauling in some areas , one thing of note if you plan to run for hire, you have to have the federal million dollar commercial truck insurance coverage and that aint cheap, i was paying about 600 a month for mine

CBBC · Mar 28, 2016

Thanks guys. This will be for on farm. But I want to get it inspected and insured for farm use.
There are lots of times when it would be convienient to pick up a load of rock at the pit or get some manure or sawdust from a guy down the road.

I agree the $6000 isn't bad. I just bought a Louiville Aeromax for 9000 for my dads place. I forgot how nice it is to have a good dumptruck. Currently I have a GMC 5 ton ... But it's so beat I will never drivin on the road again.

Thanks Grant. I will let you know how it goea

greg oliver · Mar 28, 2016

Grant, Is it single or tandem axle? We had a tandem axle DM that was tough but needed the tandems worked on. The repair shop quoted him around $3500 to do the work. We found another set of tandems and changed them out. It wasn't to bad we blocked up the frame behind the cab and had removed most of bolts only had to torch a few. We also were able to leave the dump box on. On the camel back suspension there are covers that will show wear. Its been about 10 years ago that he sold the Mack and replacing the tandems and needing reverse gear fixed were only major problems. It had the 237 with a 5 speed so pretty slow except for backing up.

CBBC · Mar 30, 2016

Well it looks like I bought it. Agreed on 5000. I need to get a permit to run it home on the weekend. I'm sure there will be a bunch of little stuff to fix...hope nothing big like the rear end or transmission, or breaks.

I did do a pH test and it seemed to be in the 8-10 range which is what I could find online it should be...I hope.

I'll post pics next week when I get it to the farm.

Thanks Grant

OT Mack DM

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showcrop

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f2355j

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ericlb

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greg oliver

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