International L series

International L series
International L series
Overview
Manufacturer	International Harvester
Production	1949–1952
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)
Chronology
Predecessor	International KB series
Successor	International R series

Last updated December 08, 2022

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 1952 when it was replaced by the R series.

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.

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

The first of the marketing names

The "Schoolmaster" : L-153, L-163, L-173, L-183, and L-193. The L-193 bus had the same nose style as the L190-up trucks.
The "Loadstar" : First introduced in the L-Line, as the L-164, L-174, L-184, L-194, and L-204. It was the model with the heaviest capacity within each series. The "4's" were the only ones to have the "Loadstar" decal on the dash.
The "Roadliner" : First introduced in the L-Line, assigned to the L-165, L-175, L-185, L-195, and L-205. The Roadliner was IH's specific "premier" tractor truck model "loaded" with comforts and work-ready, which means not all tractors are the "5's." It was common to see basic L-190 tractors or L-183 tractors, for example. The customer typically ordered the cab & chassis package they wanted and had a body or 5th-wheel installed elsewhere.

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]

L-series specs (1949)

Engine
- Silver Diamond 220 OHV inline-six, 220.5 cu in (3,613 cc) and 100 hp (75 kW) (L-110/120/130/150)
- Silver Diamond 240 OHV inline-six, 240.3 cu in (3,938 cc) and 108 hp (81 kW) (LB-140/L150/160)
- Super Blue Diamond BD-269 OHV inline-six, 269.1 cu in (4,410 cc) and 100 hp (75 kW) (L-170/180)
- Red Diamond 372 OHV inline-six (L-190)
- Red Diamond 406 OHV inline-six (L-200/option in L-190)
- Red Diamond 450 OHV inline-six (L-210/option in L-200)
Transmission
- Three speeds forward, one reverse, synchromesh column mounted
- Four speeds forward, one reverse, non-synchromesh floor mounted, Model T9
- Four speeds forward, one reverse, synchromesh floor mounted, model T98 (option in L120-L170 after 5/50)
- Five speeds forward, one reverse, non-synchromesh floor mounted (L180 series, option in L160-L170)
- Overdrive Five speeds forward, one reverse, non-synchromesh floor mounted (option in L160-L180 series)
- Electric 2-speed rear axle (option in L160-up)
- HD Five speeds forward, one reverse, synchromesh floor mounted (L190-up, overdrive optional)
- Manual 3-speed Auxiliary transmission (option in L190-up)

Model	GVWR (lbs)	Cargo Capacity (lbs)
L-110	4,200	1,600
L-111	4,500	1,900
L-112	4,800	2,200
L-120	5,200	2,400
L-121	5,700	2,800
L-122	6,200	3,200
L-130	6,800	3,700
L-131	Early: 7,400 Late: 7,700	Early: 4,200 Late: 4,500
L-132	Early: 8,000 Late: 8,600	Early: 4,700 Late: 5,300
LB-140	9,000
L-150	9,000
L-151	10,750
L-152	12,500
L-160	14,000
L-161	15,000
L-162	16,000
L-164	16,500	8,000
L-165	16,000 / 29,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
L-170	16,000
LF-170 6x4	22,000
L-171	17,000
LF-171 6x4	24,000
L-172	18,000
LF-172 6x4	26,000
L-174	18,500	10,000
LF-174 6x4	27,000
L-175	18,000 / 33,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
L-180	17,000
L-181	19,000
L-182	21,000
L-184	21,500	13,000
L-185	21,000 / 42,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
L-190	21,000
LF-190 6x4	30,000
L-191	23,000
LF-191 6x4	32,500
L-192	25,000
LF-192 6x4	35,000
L-194	25,500
LF-194 6x4	38,000
L-195	24,000 / 48,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
LF-195 6x4	35,000 / 55,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
L-200	24,000
L-201	27,000
L-202	29,000
L-204	29,500
L-205	28,000 / 52,000 w/semitrailer	depends on trailer weight
L-210	30,000
LF-210 6x4	37,000
L-211	34,000
LF-211 6x4	41,000
L-212	38,000
LF-212 6x4	45,000

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References

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

External links

International Harvester L (Internet Movie Cars Database)
"Standard L-110, L-111, L-112 (1951)". Wisconsin Historical Society. 2011.{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)

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[Gunnell-1] 1 2 Gunnell, John A. (1993). Standard Catalog of American Light-Duty Trucks. Krause Publications. ISBN 0-87341-238-9.

[Crismon1-2] Crismon, Frederick W. (2002), International Trucks (2 ed.), Minneapolis, MN: Victory WW2 Publishing, p. 217, ISBN 0-9700567-2-9

[3] Crismon, p. 224

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