Buying Used: Mack Titan

Diehard Mack fans rejoiced when Mack revealed the Titan to the world at the 1995 Brisbane Truck Show. Understandably the new Bulldog collected the coveted “Truck of the Show” accolade that year.

Nevertheless, the new Titan had some big shoes to fill because it was portrayed as the Legendary Super-Liner-II successor.

Sadly, for Mack, their initial replacement for the Super-Liner-II, the CLR, failed dismally with outback operators primarily due to overheating issues. In addition, it retained the flared chassis rails of the older R-Model it replaced.

While those heavy-duty rails contributed to the product’s durability, the tare weight penalty of heavy-duty chassis meant it wasn’t favoured as a highway truck either.

Thankfully for Mack, the Titan saved the day and quickly developed a reputation for performance and reliability. As a result, outback and heavy haulage operators lined up to order them.

Two new models were added to the Titan model range a year later, giving operators the flexibility to choose from three Super-Liner Titan model variants. The Super-Liner Titan 500 Heavy Duty, The Super-Liner Titan 550 Extra Heavy Duty and the upgraded Super-Liner Titan 575 Extra Heavy Duty.

The Super-Liner Titan 500 Heavy-Duty and Super-Liner Titan 550 Extra Heavy Duty were powered by CAT 3406E engines rated at 500hp and 550hp, respectively. Both had an Eaton RTLO18718B 18-speed transmission with a choice of either Eaton DS or Rockwell rear axle options.

Meanwhile, the Super-Liner Titan 575 Extra Heavy Duty was pure bulldog pedigree powered by Mack’s EA9 575 V8 V-Mack II engine, which, at the time, delivered the industry’s highest peak torque 1925 lb-ft (2610Nm).

A year later, Mack added Cummins Gen-II Signature engines to the options list, and a lightweight Highway version joined the model line-up. Understandably their trusty EA9 V8 engine became the first on-highway truck engine to venture beyond the 600hp mark.

Time for a quick bit of Aussie trucking history here. Mack introduced the Super-Liner in the early eighties, powered by their E9 V8 with a power output from 400 to 500 horsepower.

These trucks and their engines quickly developed a reputation for producing inexorable power and steadfast reliability.

The Mack E9 engine became King in the heavy haulage market segment. By the mid-nineties, electronics had found their way into Mack’s V8 as the drive to produce more power persisted.

With the introduction of electronics and horsepower boost, the V8 received new nomenclature, now known as the EA9 (the A in the designation indicating an Australian engine).

At the time, most truck manufactures could only supply engines up to 550 horsepower and 1850 lb-ft torque. Even Caterpillar’s big C16 just made 575 horsepower.

Mack Trucks Australia had propelled their new EA9 beyond the 600-plus horsepower frontier. It even boasted what, for the time, was a mind-blowing 2050 lb-ft torque.

This new tenacious V8 engine aimed squarely at heavy haulage, and road-train applications indeed turned heads. Understandably, when those 610hp EA9 engines were cracking, they cracked. And operators that had the good ones loved them. But sadly, not all of them enjoyed the longevity of their predecessors.

There is a handy takeaway just there. If your heart seriously dictates your new used Titan must have the authentic Mack V8, then from a reliability point the 575hp option is a far more economical and reliable choice over the 610hp power setting.

Additionally, a pair of seven-inch barrel Adelaide Sports Mufflers (#MS-748-7) will set you back $814 for the pair, giving the Titan an old school V8 thumping bark much like the legendary Super-liners.

One standout feature for ease of maintenance on Titan models is that the 8,164kg Mack FAW18 front axle boasts adjustable kingpins. Surprisingly enough, if you shop around the aftermarket suppliers, you can pick up a new complete kingpin replacement set (#301SQ52A) for around $300 when the kingpins finally run out of adjustment.

Sadly, though, for diehard Mack fans, genuine parts availability for Mack engines like older EA9 V8 and the T2000 18-speed transmission are getting extremely scarce.

Consequently, CAT and Cummins powered Titans with 18-speed Roadranger transmissions are enjoying renewed popularity in the used truck market mainly due to their ease of parts availability.

Driveline specifications varied depending on the model. Standard highway Titan model driveline consisted of Eaton DS461P rear axles with a 4.56:1 ratio riding on Hendrickson HAS-461 air-suspension with 1372mm axle spacing.

Other rear axles and suspension options were available to increase the vehicle’s GCM from 90,000kg to 120,000kg. In addition, highway Titans had the choice of Mack’s NAS44/200 rear axles on a Neway suspension, which meant a gold bulldog rather than a silver one rode proudly on the hood.

The Extra-Heavy-Duty Titan driveline was understandably substantially beefed up compared to its highway counterpart. For instance, standard rear axles were Rockwell RT-185G with extended breathers and a final drive ratio of 4.89:1 riding on Neway AD246 air suspension, which gave this variant a GCM of 130,000kg.

Many livestock carriers preferred the Extra-Heavy-Duty Titan but opted for the AC6T six-rod rear suspension, which increased the GCM rating to 140,000kg.

One weakness of the Titan interior is the centre dash panel, where most of the switches reside. Over time this panel becomes loose, rattles, and inevitably the switches fail.

There is good news, however. There are a plethora of affordable aftermarket switches available from most reputable parts outlets and more lavish switches and covers from custom suppliers like the Trucker’s Toy Store and Big Rig Chrome Shop.

Given that most original Mack Titans are now almost two decades old, it is fair to assume that in their illustrious lifetime, they’d have at least seen the milage dials on the speedo cycle through all zeros once.

With this in mind, when looking over a potential used Titan for your operation, pay attention to the vehicle’s current condition and request receipts to validate service work.

Repairs to older heavy-duty trucks like Titans can be expensive to return a vehicle fully reliable working condition if their maintenance has been let go.

On the other hand, if you find a Titan that has enjoyed regular maintenance, be prepared to pay a little more. Bear in mind the advantages of investing a little more into a well-maintained vehicle upfront that you can put to work straight away, far outweigh the few pennies saved on a machine that will require lengthy and expensive repairs.

As stated in other used truck reviews, it’s worth budgeting for full C-service, a new steering wheel and a driver’s seat cover.

Be aware if you’re looking to finance a large portion of the purchase price on an older truck, most finance companies will require the vehicle is paid out in full before its 15th birthday.

Model: Titan CLR 6x4
Frame: 270mmx83mmx8mm + 6mm Double Rail
Engine: Mack EA9-610
Horsepower: 610hp (455kW) at 1800rpm
Torque: 2050 lb/ft (2779Nm) @ 1200 – 1400rpm
Transmission: Mack T2000-18 18-speed
Front Axle: Mack FAW18
Front Suspension: Multi-Leaf 1,753mm
Rear Axle: Meritor RT52/185G with X-locks
Rear Axle Ratio: 4.89:1
Rear Suspension: Rockwell AC6T 6-Rod
Wheels: Cast 6-Spoke Spider
Rating: 140,000kg GCM
Bumper: King Bar Carpentaria
Exhaust: Twin 5-inch
Sleeper: 42” mid rise
Wheelbase: 6147mm
Fuel Tanks: 4 x 500 litre
Cabin: Prestige Plus Crimsom
Seat: KAB554 air-ride

Model: Titan CLR 6x4
Frame: 270mmx83mmx8mm + 6mm Double Rail
Engine: CAT C15
Horsepower: 550hp (410kW) at 1800rpm
Torque: 1850 lb/ft (2508Nm) @ 1200 – 1400rpm
Transmission: Eaton RTLO18718B 18-speed
Front Axle: Mack FAW18
Front Suspension: Multi-Leaf 1,753mm
Rear Axle: Eaton DS461
Rear Axle Ratio: 4.33:1
Rear Suspension: Hendrickson HAS461P
Wheels: Cast 6-Spoke Spider
Rating: 70,000 Kg GCM
Bumper: King Bar Carpentaria
Exhaust: Twin 5-inch
Sleeper: 42” mid rise
Wheelbase: 6147mm
Fuel Tanks: 2x 500 litre & 2 x 350 litre
Cabin: Prestige Plus Crimsom
Seat: KAB554 air-ride

1996 Mack Titan – Gen-II Cummins

*Current at the time of writing.