Wet Kit Installation on a Mack — Ames Hydraulics

Wet Kit Installation On A Mack — Anthem, Granite, Pinnacle

Mack trucks show up in our shop for wet kit installation mostly on vocational units — Granite dump trucks and Pinnacle tractor units running dump trailers or aggregate hauls. The Anthem road tractors we see less often for wet kit work because Anthems are usually pulling standard freight, not hydraulic trailers. Every wet kit installation on a Mack we do runs through the same spec process: transmission dictates the PTO, trailer dictates the pump and line configuration, frame dictates the tank placement.

The mDrive automated manual in newer Anthem and Granite trucks is the main variable. Older Mack Eaton Fuller and Allison configurations are more common in the trucks we see and they’re straightforward.

PTOs For A Mack Transmission

Anthem and newer Granite trucks with mDrive automated manuals accept Chelsea and Muncie PTOs specifically designed for mDrive housings. Older Granite and Pinnacle with Eaton Fuller manuals take Chelsea 442 or 852 PTOs. Granite dump trucks with Allison automatics use Muncie CS8 or Chelsea 442-series hot-shift PTOs. The PTO must match both the transmission and the pump’s input shaft — a mismatch on either side means the pump won’t run correctly.

Mack transmissions have their own PTO housings that don’t always share parts with the Eaton and PACCAR world. We spec the PTO after confirming the transmission model — critical on the mDrive-equipped trucks because early mDrive PTOs had integration issues that were resolved in later revisions.

The Full Wet Kit System

A wet kit installation on a Mack adds four components to the truck: PTO on the transmission, hydraulic pump driven by the PTO, tank holding fluid, and plumbing routed to the trailer coupling. Line configuration is one of three: single-line (basic dump only), two-line (walking floor, live-bottom, most trailers), or three-line (piston pump trailers requiring case drain). Most Mack customers we install wet kits for are running dump trailers or live-bottom aggregate trailers, so two-line is the common configuration.

Pump Selection

Granite dump trucks running end-dump trailers can run a modest gear pump at the low end of the sizing chart — a Chelsea C102 or Parker gear pump around 20-25 gpm. Pinnacle tractor units pulling live-bottom or walking-floor trailers need higher flow — 30-40 gpm at 2500 psi is common. Blower and pneumatic-conveying trailers step up further and often require piston pumps and three-line installs. The pump has to match the trailer’s flow requirement or the truck can’t do the job efficiently.

Tank Sizing On A Granite Or Pinnacle Frame

Granite and Pinnacle have plenty of frame real estate compared to the aero-cab Anthem, so tank placement is not usually a challenge. We typically install 40-60 gallon steel tanks on the passenger frame rail. All tanks are baffled internally, have filler-breather caps, sight gauges, and correctly-oriented suction and return ports. On the Anthem road-tractor configurations that come in for wet kit installation we sometimes have to use a lower-profile tank or side-mount configuration because the aero cab restricts space.

What Goes Wrong On A Mack Wet Kit

The most common failure modes we see: PTO engagement solenoid failing after a few years of dust and vibration, pump running dry from an improperly-sized tank starving the suction line, and hose routing that lets heat cook the pressure line where it runs near the exhaust. All three are install-quality issues, not Mack issues. Getting the wet kit installation on a Mack done right the first time means avoiding all three.

Cost Ranges

Basic single-line wet kit installation on a Mack runs $2,800-$4,500. Two-line for walking-floor and live-bottom trailers is $4,500-$7,000. Three-line piston-pump installs for larger applications are $6,500-$8,500. Retrofits that require correcting a prior bad install add $500-2,000 depending on scope. Every job gets a written quote before we start.

Independent Scope

We are not a Mack dealer. We do not do MP7/MP8 engine work, DEF and aftertreatment repairs, or warranty work. If your Mack is under warranty, Nuss Truck & Equipment is the closest dealer for warranty repairs. Out-of-warranty hydraulic and structural work is what we do in Ames.

Turnaround

Wet kit installation on a Mack is typically a one-to-two-week job. Drop the truck for a full week if you can and we can usually turn it faster. Priority scheduling available for urgent installs — call and we’ll be honest about the timeline.

Common Questions About A Wet Kit Installation On A Mack

How long does a wet kit installation on a Mack take? One to two weeks depending on parts and shop load. Granite and Pinnacle vocational trucks are straightforward; Anthem road tractor installs can take a little longer because the aero cab restricts tank placement.

Do you handle the mDrive automated manual transmission? Yes. Newer Anthem and Granite mDrive units accept purpose-built PTOs; we spec after confirming the transmission model and revision.

Will a wet kit installation on a Mack affect my dealer warranty? Out-of-warranty trucks, no. In-warranty, adding a PTO can affect transmission coverage — worth a call to Nuss before you commit.

Can you fix a wet kit installation on a Mack that someone else botched? Yes. Retrofits are common — we remove the wrong parts and rebuild the install correctly. Add $500-2,000 to fresh-install pricing depending on what has to come out.

Central Iowa Coverage

Our shop is 30 minutes north of Des Moines on I-35. Owner-operators from Ankeny, Grimes, Waukee, Johnston, Newton, Marshalltown, Boone, and Story City drop trucks with us regularly for wet kit work. Bring the truck to Ames and we can usually have you back on the road in a week to ten days depending on parts.

Get A Quote

Call or text 515-292-2599. Tell us the Mack model, transmission, and the trailer you plan to pull. We’ll ballpark the wet kit installation on a Mack on the phone and firm the quote when we see the truck.