Images by Ralf K from the Cohort.
Related CC reading:
Curbside Classic: 1949 Studebaker 2R-5 – Two All-New Trucks In One (Studebaker’s First And Last)
Auto-Biography/CC Outtake: Studebaker R Series Pickup (1949-1953) – The Near Death Experience
Cohort Outtake: International KB6 – Split-Level Home On Wheels
That International is a very good looking truck! Those old models have a very narrow cabins and are very primitive even when compared to their contemporary automobile cousins. Not many comfort features there. Trucks have come a long way, but those old trucks look great.
Great pics! Studebaker R Series pickups had such a unique and attractive, almost customized look.
I’ve got a ’47 KB-2 which I found parked under a tree behind a bar in Dorris, CA in the 1980s (looked far better than that KB under a tree). I can testify to the primitiveness, but there are some nice things about the lack of flash, simplicity being paramount. The local mechanic told me when I bought it that he’d put a water pump in the truck he took off a 1936 International. Ten years later when that water pump started to drip I was able to find a NOS part at my local NAPA store. I still have the ’36 because, after all, it only drips a bit and a machine shop could probably put in a new bearing and make it as good as new. Right now though I am struggling with the obvious primitiveness of the voltage regulator, which is giving my 6-volt system fits. I may have to break down and convert to 12 volts.
But the truck will work, that’s for sure. I once drove it 300 miles up Interstate 5 with 2,600 pounds in the back. I was young and foolish but the truck did it and thankfully I didn’t break the axle because it was sure overloaded.
Dear Douglas, You restored the truck beautifully. I much prefer to see these old trucks restored to original condition on the outside instead of modernizing them, which ruins the appearance. Dressing up the interior is the choice of the owner. One does enjoy some comfort. Enjoy your old Junior Corn Binder!
Doug ;
That’s a real sweetie .
I remember our old and battered ex U.S.A.F. IHC medium duty trucks in the 1960’s they were stout as stout can be .
All of them were 6 volts and all of them had an ammeter that twitched so much and so fast the needle was usually a blur .
They never failed to keep the battery charged though and the heaters & lights all worked fine .
If you’re handy with basic tools I highly suggest disconnecting the ground cable then removing the voltage regulator cover and *gently* drawing some clean white paper through the contacts ~ expect to get some really black spots / streaks on the paper, do not run the same part of the paper more than once and stop the *instant* it comes out clean .
Add a dedicated ground wire between the generator and regulator’s body, many of these have rubber mounted regulators so make sure the ground wire contacts the metal base .
Replacing the brushes is another simple thing you can do at home along with the drive end bearing and / or the commutator end bushing .
I’d take that spare water pump to your local NAPA store A.S.A.P. as they can send it out for rebuilding, not very much $ and who knows how long this service will be available .
-Nate