- 86
- 117
- 33
- Location
- Fontana, Ca
Hey fellas, I just completed a long term goal and finally got a 6x6! I was originally going for an M35 with a multi-fuel engine but I couldn't pass on this ride. The tag says 1975, not sure if that is manufacture date or a rebuild date, M54A1 with the Mack ENDT-673. The brakes are out (brake booster) and has extremely questionable tires. Have the brake parts already and got some newer wheels with the 14.00 20R Michelin XZL and a few Goodyear AT-2A treads (some brand new and most like-new) from a buddy, so should be good to go right off the bat with a more aggressive look, beefier tires and a somewhat higher cruising speed.
I know there are probably tons of answers to my questions, but as I am so new to these vehicles and already immersing myself with tons of information about this vehicle, I figured I would ask a few questions and get to know some guys on this forum, as I have already been tearing through your old posts in the last week trying to learn as much as I can about my new truck. I got it for an RV conversion, an off-road vehicle as well as to haul/tow personal stuff, so my work is cut out for me and the designs in my head are going to take some time to work out. I know the M35 would have been a bit more practical for the camping and off-road part, but I couldn't turn it down for the price and condition, a few seals need attention but it looks solid and fires right up. Luckily I am a capable auto-mechanic and a welder/fabricator by trade, so my endeavors will be a lot cheaper than many would be capable of pulling off. I haven't had any experience working on either diesels or big-rigs, so a few new systems to figure out.
I was thinking of just running singles in the back and rotating the tires that I do have for a full 5 spares, unless I have to haul something then perhaps putting duals back on for heavy loads. The wheels are not offset to the degree of the original ones, is there a spacer that I need to get for running duals and should I use a spacer for running singles or should I just wait on funds and have all of the tires switched to the old rims? The wheels look like those of the M900 type.
Before I do any driving on it I am going to do a full maintenance/service on the vehicle and have already downloaded a lot of service and technical manuals for it. Are there any points of main concern that I should be sure to check and/or even just upgrade before I put the vehicle into service? I've already got the remote master cylinder reservoir kit while I was researching the brakes, but I am sure there are several little such upgrades, improvements or weak points that hopefully someone can recommend. Patience is the difficult part, but I have some work to do before I register it and already have to regenerate my pocketbook, so patience isn't much of an issue yet, but I can't wait to show off my new ride a little bit and hit some mild trails to get the feel of it.
I know there are probably tons of answers to my questions, but as I am so new to these vehicles and already immersing myself with tons of information about this vehicle, I figured I would ask a few questions and get to know some guys on this forum, as I have already been tearing through your old posts in the last week trying to learn as much as I can about my new truck. I got it for an RV conversion, an off-road vehicle as well as to haul/tow personal stuff, so my work is cut out for me and the designs in my head are going to take some time to work out. I know the M35 would have been a bit more practical for the camping and off-road part, but I couldn't turn it down for the price and condition, a few seals need attention but it looks solid and fires right up. Luckily I am a capable auto-mechanic and a welder/fabricator by trade, so my endeavors will be a lot cheaper than many would be capable of pulling off. I haven't had any experience working on either diesels or big-rigs, so a few new systems to figure out.
I was thinking of just running singles in the back and rotating the tires that I do have for a full 5 spares, unless I have to haul something then perhaps putting duals back on for heavy loads. The wheels are not offset to the degree of the original ones, is there a spacer that I need to get for running duals and should I use a spacer for running singles or should I just wait on funds and have all of the tires switched to the old rims? The wheels look like those of the M900 type.
Before I do any driving on it I am going to do a full maintenance/service on the vehicle and have already downloaded a lot of service and technical manuals for it. Are there any points of main concern that I should be sure to check and/or even just upgrade before I put the vehicle into service? I've already got the remote master cylinder reservoir kit while I was researching the brakes, but I am sure there are several little such upgrades, improvements or weak points that hopefully someone can recommend. Patience is the difficult part, but I have some work to do before I register it and already have to regenerate my pocketbook, so patience isn't much of an issue yet, but I can't wait to show off my new ride a little bit and hit some mild trails to get the feel of it.