1978 Overnight Mack U Model

[DRIPTROIT 71]

This one will be based on the DM 600 kit with a few donations from the Mack R Model kit. Decals from modeltruckin.com.

Here is the inspiration truck:

IMG_8544 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

The first order of business is to correct the hood and cab:

IMG_2382 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_2463 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

Shorten the frame:

IMG_2380 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

IMG_2468 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_2465 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

[Mopar - D]

Brian interesting build looking forward to seeing more progress. 

[Detroit Dave]

Nice build : )

[jacobus]

like it , just a nice workhorse

no fancy and bling-bling

jacobus

[Warren D]

Looking good.  I just saw one like it this weekend, the same one we had a local air museum for many years.

[landman]

Brian, at the risk of me looking stupid, please explain the differences you are working to achieve.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

11 hours ago, landman said:

Brian, at the risk of me looking stupid, please explain the differences you are working to achieve.

Pat, the kit hood is notched and should go straight down on the drivers side, so I cut the cab straight and added the piece to the hood.

Here's one I built 20 years ago out of the box where you can see the notch.

100_0829 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Here's how t is supposed to look.

Mine's not perfect, but I thought that I would try to correct this one.

Edited October 11, 2018 by DRIPTROIT 71

[landman]

Ah.OK. Thanks Brian.

[Jim B]

Is that just on the U-model or the DM as well?  I'm guessing the DM, too, because it's the same cab & hood.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

7 hours ago, Jim B said:

Is that just on the U-model or the DM as well?  I'm guessing the DM, too, because it's the same cab & hood.

Both the U and the DM 600 fiberglass hood have the same line. The DM 800 and DM 600 steel hood have a filler that creates the notch. I've been told that the original release of the DM 600 was cut right, but had gotten changed with the release of the DM 800. Whether that is true or not, I do not know. It looks like it would have been easier for MPC just to add a filler panel than change the whole cab.

 

[PettyKW43]

As is always the case I look forward to seeing your progress on this project. I would like to share that the U series Mack is a combination of the R chassis with the DM cab and a unique hood , although it looks the same as the DM it is shorter. BBC of the U is 90in and DM is 101in. As a side note the cab shells were changed slightly in around 73. Back wall was deeper and more rounded ( compare the DM kit and AMT R kit cabs) and the dash was changed up.

[DRIPTROIT 71]

1 hour ago, PettyKW43 said:

As is always the case I look forward to seeing your progress on this project. I would like to share that the U series Mack is a combination of the R chassis with the DM cab and a unique hood , although it looks the same as the DM it is shorter. BBC of the U is 90in and DM is 101in. As a side note the cab shells were changed slightly in around 73. Back wall was deeper and more rounded ( compare the DM kit and AMT R kit cabs) and the dash was changed up.

Thanks Richard!

The difference in the BBC is in the bumper on the DM as compared to the U. The bumper sticks out farther causing the Bumper to Back of Cab measurement to be longer on the DM than it is on the U model. The MPC cab appears to be 90.6" in scale so it's all good. Although Mack introduced rounded cab around 73 the flat back cab was still offered for some time. The 78 that I'm depicting had the straight back cab. I have seen at least two 78 models with straight back cabs. This one will have the newer dash from the AMT kit too.

IMG_8579 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

Edited October 11, 2018 by DRIPTROIT 71

[DRIPTROIT 71]

On the chassis, the rear is completely changed for the single axle, the front springs were modified (several leaves removed) to closer resemble the U model, but I did however keep the beefier frame rails just because it made things a little simpler. I don't think that it will be that noticeable when finished though.

[PettyKW43]

Always great to learn new stuff and yes to keep it simple I agree that keeping the chassis out of the DM is a good idea, can hardly wait to see what you do with this one!! Looks great so far.

[PettyKW43]

Hey Brian, I was looking at my old Mack literature last night and you know it’s funny how I have looked at it before many times and I never noticed the bumper sticking out on the drawing showing dimensions, I hate putting out wrong information about stuff! Definitely the same body on both trucks, and definitely not the same chassis. Going to be a great build no matter!

[Hermann Kersten]

Nice and interesting build, im watching your progress.

Hermann.

[gotnitro?]

Good looking project I have my beverage handy watching 

[DRIPTROIT 71]

Thanks for the comments guys!

I've been working on this a little along. The blue is a little lighter than I thought that it would be, but since the door decals are almost purple looking (which I didn't notice until it was against the grey background) it will be okay.

I added window rubber to the windshield and rear glass.

IMG_2841 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_2840 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_2547 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_E2794 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_E2795 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_E2796 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_3108 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_3109 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

IMG_3110 by Brian Smith, on Flickr

 

 

 

 

[Warren D]

Looking very nice.

[disabled modeler]

Man is that NICE...!!!

[Ken Gilkeson]

more superb work as usual, great stance.

[Jim B]

Quite nice.

[JerseeJerry55]

I like it thus far.

 

[SpreadAxle]

Your color choices are spot on for an Overnite  truck. The overall build looks great, especially the engine.

Edited November 6, 2018 by SpreadAxle

[bigred63]

Wow, what an awesome build. I like all the details you put in. I may have to Hijack some of your ideas.