Autocar Mondays – Return of the DC

Posted on May 13, 2019 by Eric

The DC Autocar is back! I can hardly believe the words I just typed but it’s true. Somehow the talented folks at Autocar Trucks managed to keep under wraps one of the biggest heavy truck stories of the century! By now you might have heard about the release of the DC-64R, the first conventional styled Autocar truck released in over three decades. If not, feast your eyes on the truck below.

Not bad. Not bad at all. You’ll notice the front clip draws heavy inspiration from the original style DC of the early 50’s, a style that we took a look at in last edition of Autocar Mondays. Along with the round head lights it’s not hard to imagine that this truck represents the continued evolution of the DC/DK Series had a series of mergers and acquisitions not put the storied line to rest.

The DC-64R is a serious re-entry into the conventional truck market with an all new designed cab. No cabover rip off here. The all steel cab is designed to be the strongest on the market. The frame of this truck is even stronger featuring 160,000 PSI frame rails, the heaviest in the industry. Power is supplied by the Cummins X12 producing up to 500 HP and 1,700 foot pounds of torque.

Everything about this truck is designed to tailor to the waste industry. Autocar has already started to accept orders for this truck that will be built at the Birmingham, Alabama factory.

Autocar Mondays typically lives in the past celebrating the long lived DC, DK, and AT line of trucks. With the release of the DC-64R I have a feeling we’ll be seeing many more modern trucks on the pages of Daily Diesel Dose. It’s good to live in a time when a conventional Autocar truck is in production! My hat is off to Autocar for taking their time to produce a truck that we can actually see instead of the usual vaporware and computer generated images that seem to be so popular in the auto industry nowadays.

I can’t wait to see what’s next!

Posted in Autocar Trucks | Tagged | 2 Comments

Old Cats

Posted on May 8, 2019 by Eric

I have quite the old cat collection. As a matter of fact I have three. The first is a 2007 model tuxedo. The general condition is good with only a few missing teeth in the mouth. The second is a 2008 tabby in excellent condition that is still capable of high-speed operation. The third is another tuxedo of an unknown vintage due to a missing data plate. If you haven’t figured it out by now I’m not talking about caterpillar equipment but actually cats of the feline variety.

I’ve been eyeing this old grader for a long time now and even stopped for a picture a few times but either the light or my laziness conspired to ruin the photograph. But, finally after years of trying I was able to capture the near perfect photo of this old girl.

Right next door is a more active loader. This one gets around town and possibly has been on this site before. I’m a busy man and haven’t had time to check.

On the old scale this loader is the newest of the bunch but certainly up their in years. It was working with a drill rig to place large steel pilings along a city street. Reason unknown.

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Autocar Mondays – Broken Back

Posted on May 6, 2019 by Eric

The DC line of Autocar trucks has a long and storied career. My personal favorite happens to be the earlier models with the rounded grill and classic Autocar hood emblem. This old truck looks like it is ready to roll out of its exile but a nasty crack running running the length of the frame probably means it will continue to sit and watch the wild flowers grow.

This particular model of DC also rocks the old style dash with white faced gauges. Perfection!

Do you have an Autocar you would like to see featured in Autocar Mondays? Email eric@dailydieseldose.com today!

Posted in Autocar Trucks | Tagged | 5 Comments

Tired Western Star

Posted on May 2, 2019 by Eric

This old Western Star and your favorite truck website have alot in common. They both are not being used to their full potential. 

But hope spring eternal. Lord knows I have plenty of cool rigs to share with you all but I just can’t seem to find the time. BUT… I’m going to keep on trying if you’ll keep on visiting. Truck show season is just around the corner!

Posted in Free and Easy | 5 Comments

Mack Truck with a Detroit Diesel

Posted on April 24, 2019 by Eric

Not all Mack Trucks have a Detroit Diesel under the hood but some do. We call those tracks awesome. While it might seem sacrilegious to some there were more than a few bulldogs that left the factory with something other then pure Mack components. In this case the pedigree was mixed with a 318 Detroit Diesel. This means the truck never wore the vaunted gold bulldog on the hood but the screaming Jimmy more then makes up for that exclusion.

The plans for this truck are many. Stay tuned to see how they turn out.

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Autocar Mondays – How Much Wood

Posted on April 22, 2019 by Eric

How many cords of wood can a Autocar DC 9964 haul? I’m not sure of the exact answer but it’s probably much more than a woodchuck could chuck.

Current power in the truck comes from a 335 Cummins paired to a 5+4 gear box. Heavy duty rockwell suspension and rears complete the idea dump truck formula.

Check out that rock body. All solid steel. During the warmer months this DC hauls crushed green stone for tennis and basketball courts.

Thanks to Clarence for the pics! If you have any Autocar you would like to see featured in Autocar Mondays email eric@dailydieseldose.com today!

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Still Working – International Transtar II

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Eric

Well would you look at this, an International Transtar II still working in 2019. Or at least parked. Andy came across the pair in a local parking lot where they have sat for most of the winter. It’s uncommon enough to see the 9670 on the highways but the Transtar II is clearly a relic and most often seen at classic truck shows nowadays.

All in all it still looks road worthy. Both trucks wear lettering of Lighting Services Inc which by their own admission happen to be the premiere manufacturer of track, accent, display, and LED lighting systems.

Most likely their presences is tied to the nearby state sponsored hi-tech manufacturing plant of LED lighting products. I will say nothing more on that topic for fear of sounding like political obsessed boob.

Great catch Andy. Thanks for the share.

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We Come From The Future

Posted on March 20, 2019 by Eric

Wow! Check out this brand spanking new heavy wrecker spotted by Hugh at local Peterbilt dealer.

Riding on a Peterbilt 567 the NRC wrecker out back has a 65 ton capacity, a standard 50,000lbs winch and a 367″ boom reach.

God only knows how much this setup costs but I assume it’s a little more than you or I can afford. 😉

Thanks for the share Hugh!

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Medium Mack

Posted on March 19, 2019 by Eric

Have you heard the rumors? Mack Trucks is looking to get into the crowded medium duty market. GM has recently muscled back into the fray with help from Navistar and most causal observes suspect Ram will be increasing the options soon.

You can read all the details here but job postings recently removed were seeking engineers for a small, quick moving project near Salem, Virginia. Could we expect a clean sheet design? Probably not. Most likely make with pair with an existing small truck builder and working on “brand engineer” to create a Mack product.

The last time Mack offered a true medium duty truck was the Mid-Liner.

Who knows what tomorrow will bring?

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Autocar Mondays – Single Axle DC

Posted on March 18, 2019 by Eric

Well this is a great find! A 1953 DC single axle still plated and working in Binghamton, NY.

Brian spotted this truck at Ken Fines truck repair. It’s hard to say if the rig is in for repairs or pulling duty as a yard jockey. 

What an amazing find Brian! Thanks for sharing.

Do you have an Autocar truck you would like to see featured in Autocar Mondays? Email eric@dailydieseldose.com today!

Posted in Free and Easy | 5 Comments