JerseeJerry55 Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 Hello all hope everyone’s well. Have some questions in regard to converting the MPC Mack DM600 into a U600. I know that frames are different as the DM is a construction site frame. That being said based on Roadway decals found in the box what do I need to know prior to starting the conversion? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted December 26, 2021 Share Posted December 26, 2021 I’m not sure how much you are wanting to get in to on this build. If you want to keep it simple you can build a pretty respectable U Model by just lowering the front of the DM a little and swapping out the rear suspension. Now like you said, to be 100% accurate the R-Model frame should be used, I wish I would have on mine now, but oh well. You probably already know all of this, but the R Model has the bigger cab and the DM has the flat back cab. Both were available on the U Model. The R Model has the newer style dash and the DM has the older style. Use which ever one based on the year that you are wanting to replicate. You need to decide if you will use a short breather or tall one. The short breather will require mirror brackets to be scratch built. There is also the issue of the notch in the driver’s side of the hood if you are using anything other than the original release of the DM. The one thing that I wish that I would have fixed on the U Model that I built is the passenger fender. The rear needs to be extended downward for the DM or the U. MPC got it a little short and it makes the truck look a little off. The R Model bumper goes a long way in finishing off the U look. I hope some of this helps, Brian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseeJerry55 Posted December 26, 2021 Author Share Posted December 26, 2021 10 minutes ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: I’m not sure how much you are wanting to get in to on this build. If you want to keep it simple you can build a pretty respectable U Model by just lowering the front of the DM a little and swapping out the rear suspension. Now like you said, to be 100% accurate the R-Model frame should be used, I wish I would have on mine now, but oh well. You probably already know all of this, but the R Model has the bigger cab and the DM has the flat back cab. Both were available on the U Model. The R Model has the newer style dash and the DM has the older style. Use which ever one based on the year that you are wanting to replicate. You need to decide if you will use a short breather or tall one. The short breather will require mirror brackets to be scratch built. There is also the issue of the notch in the driver’s side of the hood if you are using anything other than the original release of the DM. The one thing that I wish that I would have fixed on the U Model that I built is the passenger fender. The rear needs to be extended downward for the DM or the U. MPC got it a little short and it makes the truck look a little off. The R Model bumper goes a long way in finishing off the U look. I hope some of this helps, Brian Brian thank you for the tips. I agree with you as I’m not quite sure if I want to go too crazy with it. Box stock is probably the way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37 caddy Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 It was around 1973-74 that mack changed the dash,it went from a "olive" green interior to the tan color with the curved style dash.The same year they also changed the MACK letters on the nose,the new ones were larger,almost like a capital letter? The MPC kit has the early style interior in it,the AMT kit is the later style interior. harvey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseeJerry55 Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 2 hours ago, 37 caddy said: It was around 1973-74 that mack changed the dash,it went from a "olive" green interior to the tan color with the curved style dash.The same year they also changed the MACK letters on the nose,the new ones were larger,almost like a capital letter? The MPC kit has the early style interior in it,the AMT kit is the later style interior. harvey Harvey good morning and I hope my reply finds you well. Thank you for providing me with the information. The kit I believe is the Round 2 reissue. That being said I would assume it's the post '73-'74. So what brand/color would be best to replicate the Mack Tan? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRIPTROIT 71 Posted December 27, 2021 Share Posted December 27, 2021 1 hour ago, JerseeJerry55 said: Harvey good morning and I hope my reply finds you well. Thank you for providing me with the information. The kit I believe is the Round 2 reissue. That being said I would assume it's the post '73-'74. So what brand/color would be best to replicate the Mack Tan? The DM600 kit has the old interior, if that is the kit that you are referring to. Most often as has been mentioned, they were green, however, a friend of mine had one that was black from the factory. It was a 72. For the tan on the newer interior, I always match up something from the Testor military flat colors, but I don’t remember which ones for sure. Looking forward to seeing this one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseeJerry55 Posted December 27, 2021 Author Share Posted December 27, 2021 46 minutes ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: The DM600 kit has the old interior, if that is the kit that you are referring to. Most often as has been mentioned, they were green, however, a friend of mine had one that was black from the factory. It was a 72. For the tan on the newer interior, I always match up something from the Testor military flat colors, but I don’t remember which ones for sure. Looking forward to seeing this one! Thank you. I am looking forward to see if I can pull it off. For the green shade someone recommended using Krylon Sea Foam Green. We'll give it whirl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 21 hours ago, DRIPTROIT 71 said: The DM600 kit has the old interior, if that is the kit that you are referring to. Most often as has been mentioned, they were green, however, a friend of mine had one that was black from the factory. It was a 72. For the tan on the newer interior, I always match up something from the Testor military flat colors, but I don’t remember which ones for sure. Looking forward to seeing this one! Interior cockpit green Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Jerry. Is this going to your entry for the BRBO? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseeJerry55 Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 20 minutes ago, Pete68 said: Jerry. Is this going to your entry for the BRBO? Was thinking a Revell W900 Aerodyne. However may have second thoughts. Only time will tell. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete68 Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 28 minutes ago, JerseeJerry55 said: Was thinking a Revell W900 Aerodyne. However may have second thoughts. Only time will tell. Ok that’s a good kit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 If you are interested, I have evereything that you need. I had a complete R685ST that I stole the cab from, and used it on my DM800 frame. So, I have a DM600/800 Cab, interior, R685ST Frame, engine, etc. However, the hood is a R hood, the DM800 was "steel". I'm sure you can Ebay the hood. PM me if you are interested in it as I may be robbing an axle out of it, but if you want it, I won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
37 caddy Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 Another thing to consider is the "Gold Bulldog" only the Macks that had all mack driveterain pieces got to wear the gold bulldog on the hood.Back in the day mack used to make all their own components for their trucks,if one had a cummins or a different transmission or even a non-mack rear suspension they had a silver dog on the hood ornament.Mack even made their own wheels,the DM kits have the proper mack spoke style wheels,the AMT kit has the spoke wheels but im not sure they are mack parts?.The DM 600 kit from MPC is a purebreed mack,it has all the proper components for one. harvey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JerseeJerry55 Posted December 28, 2021 Author Share Posted December 28, 2021 26 minutes ago, Oldmopars said: If you are interested, I have evereything that you need. I had a complete R685ST that I stole the cab from, and used it on my DM800 frame. So, I have a DM600/800 Cab, interior, R685ST Frame, engine, etc. However, the hood is a R hood, the DM800 was "steel". I'm sure you can Ebay the hood. PM me if you are interested in it as I may be robbing an axle out of it, but if you want it, I won't. What would you want for it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oldmopars Posted December 28, 2021 Share Posted December 28, 2021 27 minutes ago, JerseeJerry55 said: What would you want for it? PM me and we can talk privately. I will also send pictures of what I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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