Superpeterbilt Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 (edited) Hey guys. Heres a project that I first showed in my "in progress" thread. The inspiration is a Mack R800 model that was built for Australia. Its basically a DM800 with a centered cab because of the right hand drive. It would have been ridiculous to be sitting in the middle of the truck. Zero side visibilty! Anywho, leter in the RD800 was built in America but has a taller hood, lower flatter fenders, and square headlights. To me, the Aussie truck is the coolest one. So Im building a "what if". Im building an American version of the Australian Mack, or a R800rsx with left hand drive. I just really have never been a fan of the offset cab, but I like the long squared front of the DM800. Heres some of the 1:1 The base for this build was a DM800 I built as a kid. This is how it looked in 2009 when I pulled it out to start a rebuild. I dont have any pics of the 2nd build, but it was grey and blue with a headache rack, but basically the same truck that was white and yellow.This is the start of the 3rd rebuild After beefing up the frame and stretching it about 1-1/4, filing and sanding the tires, added some round tanks from an AMT R model, re-inforced the front axle, and throwing some primer on the whole thing heres where I am. wheels are AITM, dump body is Italeri. I notice that I will need to move the fuel tanks back! Edited April 2, 2016 by Superpeterbilt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bennyg Posted April 2, 2016 Share Posted April 2, 2016 I like the idea you've got. Ben Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gino Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 looks great ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackd Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 I think that you will have to check the position of the front axle, in my opinion tu is not correct the R800 the axles is not the same position as DM 800. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Terry you have selected a very interesting Mack to build. From looking at your reference pictures they have fuel tanks very close to the front wheels like you have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaronw Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 So basically a DM800 with the regular cab from an R series? Good idea, I understand the reason for the offset cabs, but they do look a bit strange. Not as weird as the half cabs out there, but still odd. Looks like you got a good start. Were you able to center the DM800 cab or did you have to scrounge the cab from an R model kit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tesla Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 It's good to see older builds re-purposed and the centered cab looks much better. Looking forward to this project! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jacobus Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 like itfollow this one also terrykeep it going these old type,sjacobus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigred63 Posted April 3, 2016 Share Posted April 3, 2016 Hello Terry, this will be a build I will follow. Have you decided if you will build it as a Tractor or Dump?Ronnie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 I like the idea you've got. BenThanks Ben!looks great !Thanks Gino!I think that you will have to check the position of the front axle, in my opinion tu is not correct the R800 the axles is not the same position as DM 800. Alain, I wasnt completely sure on this. I cant really find any info on this truck. If you have any info it would greatly help. I tried to move the axle, but the parts werent budging. At this point, it would destroy the frame if I were able to remove the springs. Im happy with re-building my old DM, rather than having a completely aquirate R800. I will build moe of these, as I really dont like the offset cab so I will make my mistakes on this one.Terry you have selected a very interesting Mack to build. From looking at your reference pictures they have fuel tanks very close to the front wheels like you have. Thanks Dan. Ive been itching to do this. Its an awesome truck! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 So basically a DM800 with the regular cab from an R series? Good idea, I understand the reason for the offset cabs, but they do look a bit strange. Not as weird as the half cabs out there, but still odd. Looks like you got a good start. Were you able to center the DM800 cab or did you have to scrounge the cab from an R model kit? I used the DM cab. I sawed off the firewall and made a new one from sheet styrene. Its really not that hard. If you look under the driver door, youll see evidence of the DM cab. It's good to see older builds re-purposed and the centered cab looks much better. Looking forward to this project!Thanks Dennis, I coulnt agree more. I love rebuilding a built up, especially mine. like itfollow this one also terrykeep it going these old type,sjacobusThanks Jacobus! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackd Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Terry DM models are completely different model r I will prepare a small folder on the 800 R. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chariots of Fire Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 That is one beast of a truck! Great start. Will be following this along! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gatorincebu Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 That is one beast of a truck! Great start. Will be following this along! I love it ! And being partial to that dump body. I really like it on that big Mack. You can bet I will be doing something like this with one of My DM 800's. Be Well Gator Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Terry DM models are completely different model r I will prepare a small folder on the 800 R.I thank you for your time Alain.That is one beast of a truck! Great start. Will be following this along!Thanks Charles! I love it ! And being partial to that dump body. I really like it on that big Mack. You can bet I will be doing something like this with one of My DM 800's. Be Well GatorThanks Gator! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Update for today, I built a new set of front fenders. I pulled a new grill and fenders out of the junkbox and started cutting. I cut the fenders off about .125 behind the headlights, and rebuilt fenders covered in diamond plate. I also added the extended fender that is present only on this Australian model. Im satisfied with the progress. Im pretty sure this is the biggest truck that Ive built, mainly because of the wheels. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 4, 2016 Author Share Posted April 4, 2016 Hello Terry, this will be a build I will follow. Have you decided if you will build it as a Tractor or Dump?Ronnie It will definitely be a Dumper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gotnitro? Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Awesome conversion Terry! Can't wait to see more Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mopar - D Posted April 4, 2016 Share Posted April 4, 2016 Nice progress Terry! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackd Posted April 5, 2016 Share Posted April 5, 2016 Here are a few photos and measurements of the positioning of the front axle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Superpeterbilt Posted April 5, 2016 Author Share Posted April 5, 2016 Thank you Alain, but thats a different truck than what Im building. The Australian R800 and the American RD800 are very different. The DM800 was inconvenient to make right hand drive because of the offset cab, so these were built. They were using left hand drive DM800s in Australia prior to these being built. If you notice the 1:1 photos in the first post you will see the difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackd Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Yes I notice but the dimensions of the front axle must be the same... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Buckaroo Posted April 6, 2016 Share Posted April 6, 2016 Truck projects like this is what makes this forum so great. You hardly ever see a kit built represented by the box art.Very impressive work on this one Terry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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