Driving a 40 Year Old R Model Mack 5 Hours... What Could Go Wrong?

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Y'all might remember when Gavin and I drove an R Model Mack 11 hours from Texas to Missouri. I like to tell people he bought it just to spend more time with me. But now a year and a half later, we went on our second R Model roadtrip together from Kentucky to Missouri, this time in my truck!
My back hurts a little, and we leaked a little oil, but we made it to Gavin's shop in one piece, so I can't complain!
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Thanks so much for watching, I'll talk to you guys next time... Byeee!

[@StevenLoetterle]

Bet there is a ball valve under the hood in the heater hoses that was turned off in the summer....

[@aaronsanborn4291]

Good chance of it

[@fuddmethen]

mines always off, then the fall mornings come and i’m like “damn that valve is shut!” 🤣

[@pointingdog7235]

​@@fuddmethen😅

[@ESPirits87]

4:07 What a wonderful sound, nothing beats the mechanical sound of old trucks.

[@davidmattice3752]

Hi I'm Canadian truck mechanic. My previous employer had half of his fleet still on the rd and hauling with R, RD, Rm macks! And they have been in business for over 60 years.

[@robertp.wainman4094]

Bet not many modern trucks will be in regular service for those amount of years!

[@wespaisley257]

There just is no way to properly ride an R-600

[@davebaker489]

I drove many a Mack. Never had 1 break down ever. Thank your lucky stars it's not a camel back suspension like my 1st 1 was. Eventually I worked up to an R model with a 350 Mack 10 speed Eaton, air ride suspension and cab. I thought I was in heaven. Also never got less than 10 mpg. Part of me misses those days. Not my new knees, sore back or my varicose veins. But somehow you've got to love a truck that never lets you down. Now that's something you can't say about people.

[@Steiger550]

It's a camel toe

[@donmears4090]

Two rules for owners of leaky vehicles 1: Fill it with oil and check the fuel 2: If it leaks it still has oil. 🤔😳🙄😀

[@phillipgarrow2297]

That's a rule for the 71 series Detroit diesels

[@stevehaller6332]

@@phillipgarrow2297 also pick a fight with your wife the night before, slam the door on your hand , get fighting mad a truck with a 71 series two stroke Detroit and try to blow it up with your foot on the accelerator and you will get the power from the engine. If you baby the 71 series you will blow it up.

[@ZeroSen07]

О, и у вас так же? 😂 У нас говорят: если из Уаза не течет масло, значит масла там уже не осталось!

[@pointingdog7235]

A friend of mine had a 72 R-600 that he hauled chemicals with. It had a Mack 5 speed gearbox. I would help him with maintenance on the weekends. I have to say that when he had to get rid of the old girl in 83 it broke my heart. When you crank it up it took me back.

[@stevesales4263]

Just a quick suggestion for changing gear (shifting) on the old gearboxes. Put some pressure towards neutral on the gear lever and then dip the clutch. The engine will help throw it out of gear with much less driver effort. Watching this clip, I'd be happy to drive with you . Great vehicle sympathy and procedures.

[@Redhens303]

I love R models, but they are hard on the driver. Ear plugs recommended! My first R model was a 1976 model with 237 engine, air starter, 5 speed, twin screw. It did not have power steering nor air conditioning nor AM/FM radio. Next R model was a 1980 with whopping 285 engine, 5 speed, twin screw AND power steering AND A/C, AND AM/FM radio with cassette! Wow! Luxury! Both had camel back suspension on Mack rears: VERY bouncy when empty, bobtailing shook fillings out of my teeth! I logged well over 100K miles on these two farm trucks! Never had a breakdown on the road I couldn’t fix with my basic tool box stowed under the bolted passenger seat (no air ride for the passenger!). Never had to be towed or rescued. 5-6 MPG loaded, 9-10 MPG empty. Good Ole Days!

[@anthonydolezal6627]

🎶It will take you there and bring you back, the 1Stack Mack with the window in the back!!🎵

[@jimb_28]

Love the R model Macks , i learned in a Mack cabover for a year , then i started in the R model and it was like a marriage lol .... R models are like a different breed of trucks, i love them .... Have a great day Grayce

[@scottcochran384]

if y'all are traveling 5 hours to see each other thats true love .. might as well put a ring on it and one of ya's gotta Move .. Nice lookin ole Mack and i'm impressed with the double clutchin Queen's driving ability.. Macks are Brutal you don't wear them out they wear out Drivers..

[@tedhicks5431]

Yes get married

[@Jeff-sl8xz]

Why buy the cow when you get the milk for free? Makes no sense.

[@tedhicks5431]

@@Jeff-sl8xz i used to think that way

[@JL4ever]

Nopeeee!! I say let it happen organically cuz if either one caves into pressure from external forces it'll create regret and resentment and neither one wants that! In my case, I didn't cave into the pressure but held firm and did it when I felt like it and it's been going strong for 21 years and five children🙂😁. Never perfect, but I wouldn't change a thing! ZERO REGRETS!! Besides, I don't think anyone has ever looked back on avoiding a massive mistake and said "damn, I wish I would have made that mistake" 🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️😉.

[@deepthinker999]

@@Jeff-sl8xz Can't you let anything that is nice alone?

[@ky.gambler5281]

Matlack inc. Pipe line on wheels. Mack was the top dog

[@fresnokidsr]

Macks are the one truck that are still being made that I have still yet to drive. I have always liked their looks. That old girl is a beautiful example. She reminds me of a dump truck that a driver in my childhood neighborhood used to have he pulled a transfer pup trailer with his. Thank you guys for sharing this litle video with us. Oh I almost forgot it sure was great to see Hyde and Kelso again it's been way to long since we last got to see them. May y'all have a good one. Have fun take care

[@chrisherman7531]

Check the fuel level by spitting in the tank. The ripples from it will reflect light and you can see the level.

[@Steiger550]

If it hits your tonsils then it's full

[@jasonstevens7163]

Old trucker tip,dip a wooden yardstick in the tank to check fuel level

[@thefarmergrayce]

I usually use a tape measure lol!

[@charlesb4267]

@@thefarmergrayceIt keeps the tape from rusting doesn't it 😜

[@Steiger550]

​@thefarmergrayce I'm the big tipper with the big dipper I've got queens like you holding keys to my zipper 😂

[@stevehaller6332]

Where I live we call that a redneck fuel gauge. Guaranteed not to lie on how much you have in the tanks if you remember to use it

[@charlesb4267]

@@stevehaller6332 I've done that for years on storage tanks on the farm since there is no other means of knowing the level and every so often with equipment as well, however I don't have a stick so I use a steel rod that I wipe clean before using. Of course wood was used to ensure no sparks were created or I could use an aluminum rod ( or actually go and buy the real deal wooden one with the markings on it ) but I guess I like to live a little more on the edge LOL.

[@philipthornburgh7222]

Awesome trip glad you didn't have any problems Grayce

[@michaelbishop1863]

Hey Sis. Just a suggestion, when I was driving a truck. I used to use a seat cover to sit on that had wood rollers and every time I used it when I got done, my back didn't hurt and it felt better. Just an idea. Love your show.

[@markdanielczyk944]

Wooden dowl rods work great for "sticking" fuel tanks.

[@mikemullay5622]

I just bought a 1/34 diecast model of a red Mack R double axle truck towing a P.I.E. (Pacific Intermountain Express) trailer. Since I have been watching your videos I now have a renewed interest in Mack R model trucks. I am a diecast collector and have been collecting Mack L's and Mack B's for years. This is my first Mack R.

[@thomasvogelgesang667]

It is nice to see the youth farming. I wish the best for you with the truck rebuild.

[@nickolasburger3769]

Like the old r model mack truck, blue & white paint scheme.

[@kvoigt19]

This brings back memories when I worked at the Farmers Cooperate. We had a 1980 Mack with a paltry 237 with a 5 speed pulling a hopper grain trailer. To call it a gutless wonder would be an understatement. This was a fun video. Thanks!

[@stevehaller6332]

One farm I worked on years ago twin screw R model Mack’s was all they had. I loved them because they could handle whatever load you put in the grain trailers. All of them could run maybe 58 to 60 mph tops if that but do not worry about the bulldog just load the wagon

[@RJ1999x]

My guess is it had problems they ignored, because a true Mack wasn't a gutless wonder

[@stevehaller6332]

@@RJ1999xyou are correct it is called maintenance such as changing engine oil as required, the fuel that is available is not what it used to be so fuel filters need to be changed more often, which would lead to injector pump problems also. An injector problem is easy to figure out because the engine oil will be thinned out with diesel, the same thing if there is a seal out where the injector pump is mounted. Otherwise if everything if working like it is suppose to on the fuel system that little paltry 237 Mack engine will pull what ever load you put in the trailer straight up the side of a grain silo at the grain coop

[@RJ1999x]

@@stevehaller6332 you are correct. Me friend had a DM It had a 4 and a 2 if I remember right, dual lo was if you were going straight up a silo. I was told that a Cat or Cummins 250 was 250 on the flywheel, but a Mack was on the wheels, which makes a big difference

[@chrislovett6120]

Love that old Mack. So glad y’all found each other and look forward to the content you create.

[@bradh74]

The R Model I drove was a dump that had the engine turned up in it. You could not drive it with a load on without smoking out the people behind you. It was terrible for "rolling coal". The other old Mack's had the off set cabs on them, that company had a lot of mixers like that, but, my favorite was the 98 not sure what Model it was, but it was a nicer truck and rode the best. The Camel back suspension was good too. You probably need to turn the heater valve or valves on for heat. Look where the hear hoses go to the firewall on the passenger side and follow them to the engine to find the valve. Some had 1 and some had 2, you'll have to take a look. Hope it lasts you another 40 years,but don't have to go so far!

[@jjcastleberry3662]

I'm gonna go out on a limb here..... Nothing is more exciting to me than a Lady behind a big rig truck!!! To hell with Pole Dancers. This lady ROCKS!

[@jimloecke4442]

The blue and white paint job looks really sharp! The choice of Carharts complement the interior trim package quit nicely also.

[@jackbootsman5672]

Jug behind your seat. Sliding steer wheel wheel. Set your seats for pedals, knob on right of steering, down, slide wheel to you, flip up to lock.

[@weshilgart1056]

Nice looking R . Hope it turns out nice what ever your doing with it

[@7viewerlogic670]

No heat sucks. Look for water valves on the engine. Good yard ad.

[@denhackle8020]

Very nice looking R model. ''Bubba-tail'' s/a is kicking, using seat belt help to reduce back inconfort. I drove a s/a '79 R with a 285 and TRXL 107, 5 speed twin stick and was a nice truck, I liked the Mack engine torque.

[@njh4473]

If that was an old Detroit leaking oil we wouldn’t have worried just another day those old Detroit diesel’s leaked oil out everywhere on the engine. Great looking Mack keep safe and keep the videos coming.

[@roycepruett5862]

Beautiful R Model, Congrats.

[@michaelboyce7079]

Years ago, I met a bloke who ferried new Macks all over Queensland to the buyers and then was "supposed" to bring their trade-in back with him. Many times he would take a new truck to some very remote cattle station ( ranch ) and then be confronted with the prospect of driving some old R700 all the way back to Brisbane - bobtail! Usually, he'd get a ride into the nearest town and hire a car after telling the station owner he could keep his trade-in and he would keep his back from even more damage! 😂

[@jasonniles9270]

Great video glad you both made it there safe can't wait to see your truck when you are all done getting it worked on do you want to have a safe trip back home take care now

[@stevehaller6332]

There is an old saying, a Mack truck does not leak oil, it is marking its territory.

[@jaysartori9032]

On the road again, I am so glad that you made it Grace. Buffalove

[@bobmp3832]

Aww the good old days of double clutching. We’ve come a long way since that model. Great looking truck though.

[@stevehaller6332]

You must have drove on with two clutch’s I only use the clutch to take off and put in first gear or reverse. Otherwise I use vehicle speed and engine rpm’s to shift gears on the big trucks

[@geraldcrippen1649]

Beautiful truck!! I'm glad your trip was safe!!

[@christophearnoldy6233]

❤🤩So classy behind the wheel, and the gearbox, you manage like an old backpacker. 👍👏💪

[@joegoforth8893]

Lots of memories, I made a living with B model,U model and R model Macks.

[@stevenkott4428]

She really looks fantastic! Go old school, get yourself a measuring stick, for the tank, a real seat cushion, and a blanket! Good luck to both of you, you're a great looking couple!!

[@thefarmergrayce]

Thanks so much!!

[@dantate9245]

Love the old school truck, the first big rig i drove was a B61 Mack.

[@ky.gambler5281]

Same here with a tri-plex.

[@FishFind3000]

0:15 💯%, and that’s coming from an Illinois resident. One of the highest road taxes and worst roads…. 😂😂

[@MrRacin666]

Wouldn't it be great if all influencers called out the states for their crappy roads, in a perfect world Pritz-nub would be shamed into fixing them, instead we are spending 500million in cryogenics tech, LMAO!

[@thomasanderson2870]

Guess you never drove on michigan roads 🫣🤫😉

[@FishFind3000]

@@MrRacin666don't forget all the money going to house illegals that magically showed up... Claimed it was covid relief money they never spent and it was only a couple hundred million...

[@lindajackson2550]

Growing up my dad would say you could light a cigarette between shifts in the old slow shifting maxitorque transmissions but one thing they were hard to kill.

[@fwb8627]

Headlight dimmer switch usually the problem with headlight turnin off. Rason came back on is they put breakers in instead of fusses.

[@joetallon4968]

Nice truck! Brings back a lot of good memories! Drove Mack’s for 18 years.

[@Husker3435]

Great stuff young lady, y’all are quite the duo. Stay safe and God Bless🇺🇸

[@thomaschew2191]

I drove a similar early 80s Mack 5 speed tanker. Did this as a volunteer firefighter. In the hills here in NE PA it could be a challenge at times. With 2000 gallons of water once you got it moving it rode nice. The Mack plant that built our truck was about 25 miles from our fire district. We sold it about 8 years ago because the frame was too compromised. A farmer in (i think) upstate NY bought it to move water around his place.

[@Pwaak]

Beautiful Rig!!! Mack Bulldog...with the drivers , helped build this Country! A sore back matched a sore neck driving a single-screw "F Model".

[@user-fg5lh9ll3n]

The paint job is too much awsome!!!! so clean

[@joshsuperduty1270]

Grayce you ROCK any truck 😊

[@chrissnow9661]

This is one of the most beautiful semi's I have ever seen! Great compliment!! 🙂

[@josecora1917]

What a beautiful truck ! The R series Mack in those year are the best ! My father use one here in Puerto Rico to haul sugar cane to the sugar cane mill, excellent truck !! I love it !!

[@thefarmergrayce]

They’re awesome!! Thank you!!

[@charlieromeo5340]

The paint job looks good.

[@edwardmiller868]

Good morning my friend. I love the paint job on the Mack. And I love your videos very much also

[@DavidMartin-tp2in]

Beautiful Old Bulldog

[@TheTraveler432]

Check that both valves on the heater lines are open. Should be one near the water pump and one closer to the heater core. That would be a good place to start trying to solve the no heat issue.

[@kenbeitzel9168]

That's a pretty truck and I'm going to be watching the restoration. Very cool

[@user-on1cu7rc1t]

Good video Grayce, R model forever.

[@HamiltonFamily2023]

Sweet old Mack! I drive an 86 R-600 at work. 300 Econodyne engine 9 speed. Love that truck, only problem is I'm 6' 6" so it's a little tight being that tall. I also just float the gears when I shift

[@WS-gw5ms]

R model mack was a site trip axle I used to drive. They said it was bullet proof. It's bc they don't have enough power to break anything. Yours is beautiful

[@Torsee]

Love the chemistry!

[@johnviney7919]

Always good to get there safely! A few items to fix up but truck looks and runs really nice. In my opinion, I would like to drive a loaded rig rather than bobtail any day except that they run like a greyhound when they're empty. Have a nice week you guys!! 😀

[@thefarmergrayce]

Me too!! Bob tailing is fun for a few minutes but then it starts to hurt 😂

[@timkis64]

you have my deepest sympathy.my first assigned tractor was a 1970 F model no sleeper cabover, without an air seat.i learned to HATE camelback suspensions quickly.the 237 5 speed combo didnt help much either.

[@wvmedic68]

Got to love those old R's and the maxidyne 5 speed transmission. I drove one that was a wrecker, couldn't shift that old 5 speed the same way twice on up shifts.

[@charlesb4267]

I can just imagine how that rear axle would kick when it hits a good bump with no weight to settle it down, the joys of bob tailing a completely leaf sprung truck. This reminds me of ( although much worse ) of our first highway tractor we bought for the farm, a well used GMC General with the 8V92 turbo engine and not only leaf sprung but the steer axle had the thick multi stack springs that road just like a lumber wagon, its hard to describe how awful the ride was. I soon changed that out to the three leaf tapered springs like you have in you're Mack, that was a big improvement. I thought the steering wheel might come off into my hands, frick it was god awful 🤣

[@JoeBeech]

Awesome truck love the colours

[@thomasj.harris5630]

Good ol Mack Trucks!

[@bgengler30]

I remember my grandpa had an old mack. He hauled his dozer with it. I just remember it being loud AF when he would take us for rides.

[@weswilson6900]

Ok,for all seal leaks *Rislone all seal for rear main etc,an transmission seal's,diff seals ,that leak would stop in 5 hours driving.Ifin u choose, blessings Wes 🤠

[@chrisdesroches8268]

a really fun video you two! Quite the adventure. Hope ypu have a great rest of the week and a great weekend.

[@thefarmergrayce]

Thank you so much!!

[@milesloux8339]

My very first baseball cap was a Mack hat.

[@thomasbauer9691]

Try driving it to Macungie, PA. I'm sure you'd get a tour. 😎

[@BUY_YOUTUB_VIEWS826]

I clicked randomly, and I'm not disappointed. Great find!

[@thefarmergrayce]

Thank you for watching!! 😁 hope you’ll stick around, we’re going to be doing a whole series restoring this truck!

[@wayner806]

Same!

[@josephpuou96]

Drove a Mack with a 48 foot 40 ton landoll lowboy hauling equipment and a lot of tour buses 😊 it had a big cam 3 Cummins and a 10 speed 👍 Aloha from Hawaii 😎🌴🤙🏽

[@user-yi7wk8zr9y]

Enjoy your day and trip looking gorgeous as always 💕

[@jameslcoble248]

That truck looks good and sounds good. Can't wait to see it at work.

[@deepthinker999]

It is going to a museum and be retired.

[@richardpratt692]

Beautiful truck

[@boatlover2296]

I had a 1990 R model and it was a great truck. 350 Mack motor 10 speed Mack transmission top loader axles. Thing never broke.

[@thefarmergrayce]

They are tough that’s for sure 😎

[@goncalogalhoz3833]

I love these old Mack trucks. Greetings from Portugal

[@user-en3th7uf1y]

It’s looking really good 😊

[@garyfoster5546]

Loved the old 4&5 s

[@leeforeman3656]

Fantastic truck. Way more class than the modern ones. 👍

[@flintboyle3881]

Happy travels

[@steveruder123]

What a great truck. It’s been many years since I had to double clutch a truck.

[@holdenbrougham1056]

Great looking mack that was restored well

[@user-gp5mo5kt6x]

Learned to drive on a Mack like that in 1988. 1974 single axle 237 5 spd hauling farm equipment with an all hydraulic Landoll trailer. Same colors even!!

[@user-vp1kd6ri4d]

Awesome lookin truck ! Like a good marker..A real sharpie

[@thefarmergrayce]

Hahaha thank you!

[@sword-and-shield]

Farm girls and old trucks, I swear. When I was in the ND oil fields hauling oil I saw a farm girl jump out of an old school truck, and I swear she was a super model. Not all made up and clown faced, just perfect natural beauty. Was going to walk up and say hey, and her partner jumped up to the passenger glass and began to bark and snarl, man she could have put me on a leash and I would have been just fine with it....thx for the vid, you got a sweetie there with, and in that Mack.

[@davidshaffer4649]

drove an old twin screw single stack with a window in the back,the doors were so loose ya had to slam your work gloves in the jamb so ya could see out of the mirrors.lucky also the mill i was takin rolls to would give me ear plugs.they were fun days in my 20's.now i'm a grumpy old man complaining if my heated mirror dont work.nice vid thanks!

[@ericmhinkle6003]

I think this truck would look good as a flat bed truck I would add chrome wheel covers on the drive axle and a polished rear tail light on the back and maybe and polished mud flap weights

[@logansvideos95]

Great truck and great vid!

[@Randy-ev8ig]

Very nice Mack !!

[@nayanpanchal39]

Great video

[@TheLEMRR]

It's a great-looking Mack

[@18winsagin]

The coldest place anywhere in the winter, in my opinion, is at any gas pump.

[@thefarmergrayce]

It really is 😂

[@mikemullay5622]

Running bobtail and single axle with those big leaf springs must make for a really rough ride.

[@thefarmergrayce]

I was sore after this trip for sure hahaha

[@Jeff-fv9rk]

Hooo dat show good looking, nice truck too!

[@todd1808]

One stack Mack !!

[@kazbekdzhanibekov9154]

Nice truck!👍