Mack truck mods?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Boosted_SC300, Jul 18, 2020.

  1. Boosted_SC300

    Boosted_SC300 Light Load Member

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    So i have a 15' CHU613 and ive been looking around to see what kind of modifications, whether that be power/tuning, airbag suspension on steers, exhaust from single back to dual sides... or evening putting a #### back window and i only find very very VERY few threads on the internet about these trucks. Only thing i found was an aftermarket exhaust manifold for sale. Its mostly petes and KW's that get the attention. What gives? Dont these trucks have a lot of history? Anyone with a mack that has done these things on here that can give advice? Thanks!
     
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  3. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    I got a real good deal on a 2000 CH 613 that needed a lot of TLC. Was looking for a single axle to pull a 7 car trailer so I made some major modifications.

    As you can see from these pics she started out as a single stack Mack with a small shack on the back. In the end the exhaust was converted ta weed burner (more turn clearance with a short wheel base for the front over hang car), rear window in the sleeper (I did a lot of blind side backing in car dealerships) and slide the front differential back to single it out (saved a bunch of tolls running the NY Thruway daily).

    The window was a fairly easy modification using a window kit from a RV dealer. Only thing I would have done differently was use a larger window that opened so that on the nice days when I wasn't idling I could have had more fresh air in the bunk. The exhaust and axle mods required some fabrication but it was more time consuming than hard to do.

    Engine mods and such are not very common probably because there just are not as many Macks on the road as the other brands, at least that would be my guess. You may have to make your own special parts if you want to modify your 613.
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  4. Boosted_SC300

    Boosted_SC300 Light Load Member

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    That is a clean looking truck! Any reason you went diamond plate catwalk instead of smooth aluminum or steel? So are macks the class 8 equivalent of toyota's? because i mean #### dude my 15 has the same exact interior design all the way down to the bunker controls lol. The window im planning on getting is from amazon, its for an rv its biggish and it slides open and that will def come in handy so im glad to hear rv windows work. Yeah for the tuning and performance(itll be turned to farm/personal truck) i already found a shop but its strange to not hear about mack tuning seeing as how theyve been around a long time. What about air suspension on the steers? Any info on that?
     
  5. Rubber duck kw

    Rubber duck kw Road Train Member

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    Most people who are going to do a lot of modifications, power or looks, don't get Macks. They seem to be mostly company trucks that I can tell, that or owned by somebody who doesn't care if it looks like a million bucks and will outrun anybody on a hill, just my opinion. I do know a guy who's restored an 80s Superliner, but that's a whole different dog.
     
  6. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Diamond plate was for traction, I had to stand on it daily to tie down the front vehicle. Easy to repaint and I hate polishing so aluminum was out.

    Air suspension for the front axle should be easy enough, maybe find a air ride suspension from a salvaged truck and make it fit. I am not aware of any conversion kits on the market.

    The rear wall of the Mack is built just like the side wall of an RV, didn't need any spacers or anything. Used some square tube, think it was 1/2", to build the frame that the window screwed into. Made a nice wood trim ring for the interior because I didn't like the trim ring that came with the window kit. About a day to install the window.
     
  7. SmallPackage

    SmallPackage Road Train Member

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    Nice! Was that an ex Weatherford truck?
     
  8. brian991219

    brian991219 Road Train Member

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    Yes, good eye
     
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  9. abyliks

    abyliks Road Train Member

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    My favorite thing to do with our Mack is park it and get back in my KW.....nothing about it is on air and the only way you are going to get that 237 going any faster is to push it off a cliff
     
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  10. Boosted_SC300

    Boosted_SC300 Light Load Member

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    Rubber duck- I LOVE SUPERLINERS! My dream truck will be a superliner i restore teal colored with orange striping and an orange frame with matte black wheels, bumper, and dual exhaust. I saw an article of a granite mp8 pushing 800hp but they dont mention who did the tune or anything :(.
    Brian- Oh ok yeah that makes sense since im on the fence on which cat walk to get(steel or diamond) for mine since i do flatbed and its better for me to put the tarps on the catwalk then to keep dropping them and putting them back on the flat when i dont need them and becuase i also use the catwalk a lot.
    abyliks- Negative Nancy! lol
     
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  11. PSM379

    PSM379 Heavy Load Member

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    Maybe I’m wrong, isn’t this a vision? Or a CX? Doesn’t look like the CH613’s i was familiar with.
     
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