Scored a Very solid orig IHC longbed for 300$, Been in storage from '75 W a stuck motor. Want to build a low budget rat. Cannot decide between drivetrane rebuild/swap and dealing w the orig brakes, or doing a frame swap and running all modern components. (the later seems more practical with donor cars/trucks around for 300-400$) Has any one on here delp with IHC or know any sites? I looked around but cant find much. Thank you all in advance.
Does that look anything like a COE? They look bad ass done hotrod style. Just seen a model yesterday i almost bought. It was flat black with orange n red flames.
Nice! thanks everyone. Thinking keep the frame, deal w the brakes, and do a SBC motor trans radiator mts and xmember out of a donor car, for the sake of cheap easy power. lower it and keep all the patina. gotta love the dual prop hoods too. Thanks for the sites, and threads also. and yes, the COE's are SWEET!...
It'll be far easier to align sheet metal and get all the gaps even, and get your doors and hood to fit right if you use the original frame. You're dealing with the same sort of straight ladder type frame found under most pickups of the '40s and '50s. If you want to get rid of the beam front axle and have IFS, look at what's under an '80s Ford Aerostar van, cheap and plentiful in the junkyard, comes with power R&P and disc brakes, common Ford wheel bolt pattern. Or you can go the Mustang II route. Chassis Engineering makes mounts to put nearly any engine/trans in almost any chassis. Even if it's not in their catalog or on their website, call them and talk to them, tell them what drivetrain you're using and what it's going in, they'll try to help you figure something out. A Ford 9" is probably your best bet on the rear end. Nothing wrong with the Haybaler rear end except that it's geared for pulling up stumps rather than highway cruising and you have little if any selection of gear ratios. Friend of mine in high school had a '52 Haybaler. Top speed was maybe 45 with pedal to the metal, but you couldn't stall the thing. We had about a ton on it one time and it hauled it effortlessly, didn't even feel like it had a load on it.
I had a beautiful 53 International R122, what a great truck. I still kick myself for selling it. If you dig deep enough on the web you will find parts.
My brother and I put a 354 Firepower Hemi in a '51 Cornbinder. A Dodge rear end has the same wheelbolt pattern as the IHC. The stock brakes are as good as any drum brakes out there. The main change was the steering box, the stock one is in front of the axle, and a V8 hits the column. A '39 IH box behind the axle cleared the Hemi. Or you could use a 4X4 power box in the stock location and put a few U-joints in the shaft. The I-beam and springs will ride as good as any other solid axle car or truck, but slamming it might be a problem. Any axle guy could drop the IH axle easily. New kingpins and a good alignment and you'll be surprised how good those old 'Binders steer!
Just a hint - PLEASE this is a R#T free site. If you want to understand just search on the word... Now that is out of the way, great score. Start a build thread. Keeping it simple like you are talking about will be a GREAT start.
Your going to end up with a Hotrod if you keep the fenders. They build great trucks. and change your handle;you have an Internatiomal.
i like a truck with rough paint because when i see a truck i think of a work horse but i cant say id be satisfied with one that way. also, dont use that dirty "R" word around here or we will hang you by your toes!!!
I'm working on a '50 right now. A Ford 302 will fit without moving the steering column, but just barely. Rock Auto has rebuild parts for the brakes.
there is an International trucks social group here on the HAMB. that's always a good source for info or questions. A good source for parts is a place in Springfield, Ohio named Super Scouts, just google it. also try oldihc.com.
Google kill billet if you want more of that nasty R word. If you want a real hot rod you will hang out here though
1953 International shop truck. Owned since mid-fifties. Served as shop truck for trucking company in Rensselar, NY. Look for it at the Woodward cruise in August 2010. Stock running gear works fine, parts OK to obtain. Vintageride
Check out the 1953 international ($1500) on my local craigs. (humboldt California) under cars/trucks. Just search 1953. Sorry I don't know how to link.
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