Mack DM800 Semi Tractor Cab

Disappointing kit. Made the best of it. Don’t let my review sway you. I suggest you build it only if you are an experienced builder, and can address this kit’s shortcomings. Hope I do better with the DM600.

Where to start ...... Fitment. Doesn't. Fit. Double-check each part - probably half the locator pins - including cab to frame - had to disappear, then be fitted by eye. Watch the parts - many have the same part numbers, but are left- and right-handed. (The rear suspension springs, for example, are two pieces on each side and is stamped with 1 and 2 on the inside - be sure they match!) I invented more curse words trying to get the engine and drive shaft to mate up, because the engine sits a touch too far back. The whole rear suspension pivots like the rear one, IF you can get the engine in EXACTLY the right spot - I wound up having to glue the pivot to keep the drive shaft in place. The cab-to-fenders fit doesn't. Major gaps. The front grill is a fraction too wide for the fenders to tip without scraping the paint off the grill. Decals are brittle - I was going to use the white stripes on the gray paint, but they fell apart before I could finish. The company logo had to be pieced together. Instructions are sketchy - radiator hose placement, for example, is guesswork. It helps to know your way around the inner workings of a truck.. The good - windows were a dream to install! The cab had almost no mold lines. Flashing was minimal. LOTS of BRIGHT chrome parts - including the drive shafts and the fifth wheel!! (GRRR!! Unless the truck is to be a show truck and will NEVER carry a trailer, we truckers DO NOT chrome it!) The mirror brackets are thin - for realism, this is great; they look GOOD. But the black plastic is BRITTLE - use care when cleaning them up. Watch the small bits - Carpet Monster ate a door handle that I had to then fabricate. Overall, if - IF - you can get things to line up, it comes out to be a neat truck.

I had a few issues with the build but enjoyed building this old beast regardless.Very little flashing and the front axle was straight and took time to try and get the hood,fenders and cab aligned but thats one of the things I love about building these kits and Im not building some museum piece so if Im satisfied its all good.Pics will be posted of it