International L series

Last updated
International L series
IH L-110 in green.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer International Harvester
Production1949–1952
Body and chassis
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine 220 cu in (3.6 L) Silver Diamond I6
240 cu in (3.9 L) Silver Diamond I6
269 cu in (4.4 L) Super Blue Diamond I6
Transmission 3-speed manual
Model T9 4-speed HD manual (non-synchro)
4-speed Model T98 manual
Dimensions
Wheelbase 115 in (2,921 mm) or 127 in (3,226 mm) (L-110/L1-111)
127 in (3,226 mm) (L-112)
134 in (3,404 mm) (L-130) [1]
Chronology
Predecessor International KB series
Successor International R series

The International L series was introduced by International Harvester in fall 1949 as the replacement for the KB series and were available as everything from light pickup trucks and delivery vehicles to full-size tractor-trailers. Electric wipers, a radio, and a clock were optional. [1] International would continue to produce the line until 1953 when it was replaced by the R series.

Contents

Development

Heavier versions such as the L-150 to L-180 models had taller bodywork to accommodate a bigger engine, beefier chassis, and larger wheels. To hide this in appearance, they receive an extra, full-width chrome grille bar underneath the other two and the headlights. The L-185-L210 models had a longer, narrower hood and taller grille than all the smaller models, surrounded by oversized fenders. These trucks were a different look although they have the same cab as the smaller trucks. Of the pickup-type bodies, these were available in 6 ft and 8 ft lengths. On L-130 models, a 9-1/2 ft long pickup bed of same design was available and accommodated dual rear wheels. Two different styles of IH factory flatbeds with removable sides were also available for sizes up to L-180. Other bodies were designed around the basic truck chassis of each series, such as the "Metro" LM120-122 and LM150-152, the "bread trucks" used by bakeries or laundries for example. They hardly resembled the L-Line. The LB-140 Milk Delivery truck was also an oddity with its looks and revolutionary semi-automatic clutch, however it had the L-line face. The LC160-162 and LC180-182 cab-over trucks, or cab-forwards" as they were then called, were another oddity of their own.

1952 International AL-130 (Australia) 1952 International AL-130 (16060701251).jpg
1952 International AL-130 (Australia)

The L series was also built in Australia, where it was called the AL series.

The first of the marketing names

Mining, construction, and industrial

To further bolster its presence alongside IH's own massive line of heavy construction equipment and meet highway weight limits, the LF-170, LF-190, and LF-210 series was built. These were tandem-axle 6x4 drivetrain trucks for hauling heavier loads than their 4x2 counterparts. For example, the GVW of a L-194 is 25,500 vs the 38,000 of the LF-194.

Engines

The lighter-duty versions were equipped with the all-new OHV "Silver Diamond" engines in two different sizes (220cid & 240cid), while the medium-duty versions retained the older 269 ci "Blue Diamond", also an OHV engine, although it was now called the "Super Blue Diamond" after some detail improvements. [2] The BD-269 has the same peak power as the smallest, but offers more torque, at 222 lb⋅ft (301 N⋅m) versus 192 lb⋅ft (260 N⋅m) for the Silver Diamond 240. [3]

Medium-duty L-170 1950 International L-170, front right, 06-16-2024.jpg
Medium-duty L-170
L-series specs (1949)
Rear view of L-110 IH L-110 in green rear.jpg
Rear view of L-110
ModelGVWR (lbs)Cargo Capacity (lbs)
L-1104,2001,600
L-1114,5001,900
L-1124,8002,200
L-1205,2002,400
L-1215,7002,800
L-1226,2003,200
L-1306,8003,700
L-131Early: 7,400 Late: 7,700Early: 4,200 Late: 4,500
L-132Early: 8,000 Late: 8,600Early: 4,700 Late: 5,300
LB-1409,000
L-1509,000
L-15110,750
L-15212,500
L-16014,000
L-16115,000
L-16216,000
L-16416,5008,000
L-16516,000 / 29,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
L-17016,000
LF-170 6x422,000
L-17117,000
LF-171 6x424,000
L-17218,000
LF-172 6x426,000
L-17418,50010,000
LF-174 6x427,000
L-17518,000 / 33,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
L-18017,000
L-18119,000
L-18221,000
L-18421,50013,000
L-18521,000 / 42,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
L-19021,000
LF-190 6x430,000
L-19123,000
LF-191 6x432,500
L-19225,000
LF-192 6x435,000
L-19425,500
LF-194 6x438,000
L-19524,000 / 48,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
LF-195 6x435,000 / 55,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
L-20024,000
L-20127,000
L-20229,000
L-20429,500
L-20528,000 / 52,000 w/semitrailerdepends on trailer weight
L-21030,000
LF-210 6x437,000
L-21134,000
LF-211 6x441,000
L-21238,000
LF-212 6x445,000

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 Gunnell, John A. (1993). Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks. Krause Publications. ISBN   0-87341-238-9.
  2. Crismon, Frederick W. (2002), International Trucks (2 ed.), Minneapolis, MN: Victory WW2 Publishing, p. 217, ISBN   0-9700567-2-9
  3. Crismon, p. 224

Further reading