Somebody stop me...

[wolfsong]

Will those of you with more common sense than me (which is just about everyone here) PLEASE talk me out of this?

I was talking with my mechanic while making arrangements to get some work done on my truck when he asks me if I was interested in another truck. I said "What ya got?" He led me out back behind his shop and says "You can have it for nothing. Just get it off my lot. I can even have it delivered for nothing. Just tell me where. I want it gone."

"It" is a 1949 International Harvester KB1 3/4 ton (I think) pickup - body, chassis, 4 wheels, bumpers, tailgate, glass, chrome grill, no rust on the body, some rust-through on interior floorboard, overall in decent shape, considering. I need to give it a closer inspection to determine exact year and model if I can find the serial number (VIN #s didn't exist back then).

I know it's not a Dodge or Chevy or Ford, but a quick check on the internet indicates that there is a lot of interest in the old IHs. I'm not the most auto savvy guy out there (okay, I really know squat) but my interest is piqued. The way I see it is the price is right, my taking it will very likely save it from being sold for scrap, it's fairly rare (only 120,000+ were sold according to my research, but I could be wrong on that), and I could always sit on it until I found an interested truck buff. Plenty of room on the ranch for storage, I have a couple of buddies who have the knowledge and expertise to guide/help me, and it feels like the right thing to do for an old treasure. What makes me hesitate is my lack of knowledge and, of course, the cost. But the possibilities!

What do y'all think? Seems like it might be a good void filler for my impending retirement...

Peace and God bless, Wolfie.

 

[Colonialgirl]

TAKE IT !!! TAKE IT !!!! TAKE IT !!!!

 

[WAYNO]

Actually, that would be exciting to me. I had a 1952 International pickup just before i got out of the Army. As far as frame maintenance goes, you can blacksmith just about anything it needs. And as far as engine or transmission work? The Internationals I've known all had an engine and transmission made by one of the General Motors groups. So, thru car-collector folks, parts are available.

Sorry. I cannot talk you out of it.

WAYNO.

 

[375supermag]

Sounds like an interesting project for your impending retirement...
Go for it!

 

[wolfsong]

Actually, that would be exciting to me. I had a 1952 International pickup just before i got out of the Army. As far as frame maintenance goes, you can blacksmith just about anything it needs. And as far as engine or transmission work? The Internationals I've known all had an engine and transmission made by one of the General Motors groups. So, thru car-collector folks, parts are available.

Sorry. I cannot talk you out of it.

WAYNO.

Wayno, it needs a drive train and interior. The drive train is probably the easiest part, aside from wiring it. Lots of options for the interior. It's just that restoring it is so far out of my area of expertise. One can always learn...

 

[WAYNO]

Actually, that would be exciting to me. I had a 1952 International pickup just before i got out of the Army. As far as frame maintenance goes, you can blacksmith just about anything it needs. And as far as engine or transmission work? The Internationals I've known all had an engine and transmission made by one of the General Motors groups. So, thru car-collector folks, parts are available.

Sorry. I cannot talk you out of it.

WAYNO.

Wayno, it needs a drive train and interior. The drive train is probably the easiest part, aside from wiring it. Lots of options for the interior. It's just that restoring it is so far out of my area of expertise. One can always learn...

I get that. Doing such a huge job is a huge commitment, requires a lot of equipment, and a shop big enough to store it and do the work. If a guy wanted, there are lots of places that will install an engine and transmission. It doesn't even have to be the same drive train that was originally in it. These trucks are extremely basic.

This caused me to research a little. I said they used a GM powerplant and transmission. Looks like that didn't start til 1950. The pre-war and post-war models thru '49 used an in-house powertrain. The same article said there was 1.5 million of these light trucks made. That's a lot!

Whatever you decide, good luck!

https://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hcc/2010/08/Post-War-Diamonds---1949-International-KB-Series/3639281.html

 

[golferboy426]

don't try to restore it unless you want to do it for "love" It will be a money pit X 10. I'd part it out on ebay etc

 

[Bull Barrel]

Dont part it!
If you decide you dont want to restore it offer it to someone who does for a nominal fee.

 

[Bear Paw Jack]

The sum of the parts is greater than the whole. I agree. Restoration would be a money pit. If you want it, part it out.

 

[Big Old Boy]

Any restoration is a money pit but I would rather see it saved rather than parted out, I have always Been a fan of old IH trucks it sounds like a great project.

 

[Ammoman78]

Survey says....Take it!!!

 

[eric conrad]

Take it. You can always sell it for more than you paid for it. If you have the time I'd say go for it. Eric

 

[SamV]

Ok, if I were in your shoes, I would probably take it. But knowing myself, I would probably regret doing it a couple of years and several thousand dollars later. I am not saying that it is not a worthwhile project for many people, but maybe it isn't the best choice of a new hobby for you. I think a project like that is probably something that should really be on your wish list, not something you fall into just because it is there. If you are doing it just to save an old vehicle from the scrap yard, I am pretty sure that someone else would love to take on that project and save it themselves. It is probably on someone's dream list.

 

[Colonel Daddy]

Yes Yes get it!! either go original or close with a Jeep engine/running gear or cruiser street rod with a small block Ford or Chevy engine and running gear. Speedway Motors is your friend for wiring kits, motor mounts brake parts and if ya want to get it down low a Mustang II front suspension with disc brakes and all sorts of cool stuff. Chassis Engineering may be a big help with springs and parts to beef up the frame. Youtube is also your friend. Just look up 1949 International Harvester and it will boggle the mind!! Even junkyard scrounging may turn up some parts you need. A word of caution! A specialty vehicle such as this will cry out for deep pockets at times. And insurance. may depend on how much you drive it....when it becomes drivable......but we use Hagerty Ins. for our 1934 Chevy Standard Coupe Street Rod.......327 engine, power glide transmission, 57 chevy rear end with 62 Corvette center! Under 5000 miles a year and kept in a locked garage, our ins is exactly $333 a year. Wife just paid it a few hours ago!
Also, of great importance which ever way you decide to go, antique , slightly modified or Street Rod, go to some local cruise nights. Any clubs in your area will have them. There are 3 or 4 cruise nights a week in our area put on by different clubs and we also go to each others cruise-ins! Someone, somewhere will tell you just where to find that elusive part!!

 

[Colonel Daddy]

If you weren't so far away, I'd bring the trailer and haul it back to Florida! :lol:

 

[Taterman]

 

[Mega Twin]

Really,until you get started on it,you may surprise yourself with what you are able to do yourself.
Although some things might appear pretty daunting,you might find that you have a knack for it!

 

[contender]

I, like you have very little skill in auto restoration. But,, I'd take it in a heartbeat.

If it is lacking a fair amount of items,,, or needing a lot of work in certain areas,,, that you fear you can not do,,, then as mentioned,,, part it out.
While I FULLY understand the folks who say "don't part it out," think of it like this. By parting it out,,, you will help someone who also has one return their IH to better shape. It would help breath life back into several other old IH's.
Or,,, get it,,, and allow someone who has others like it,, and sell it to them,,, for they may be the ones to return it to a nice old truck.

Just don't let it go to the crusher or scrap yard.

 

[Fox Mike]

The question I would ask myself in this situation is do I want it to make money or as a project?. Personally I would have it in the yard in a NY second. My little brother restores old cars for a living.

 

[Wyandot Jim]

Soooooooooooooo is it like this

Or like this??? Amazing what a little Bondo and a couple rattle cans of paint can fix.

 

[gramps]

Take it. You can always sell it for more than you paid for it. If you have the time I'd say go for it. Eric

Yeah buddy! The PRICE is right. I have very few mechanical skills, and I would have already had it home. :lol: Good luck Wolfsong. Enjoy your retirement.
gramps

 

[golferboy426]

Amazing what a little Bondo and a couple rattle cans of paint can fix.

somehow I think that is not quite rattle can paint... very nice resto

 

[ph_redhawk]

Were it me and I had the room I would snap it up.

 

[nvbirdman]

Restoring it would be a long process, but they say that the longest journey begins with a single step.

 

[sfhogman]

I'd take it home, just to save it fom the crusher.
Then take your time and decide what you're going to do with it.
Jeff

 

[gramps]

There you go Wolfsong. We are all a bunch of enablers!
gramps

 

[graygun]

In '77 I worked at a auto parts store with a machine shop and noticed the IH heads always looked higher quality than the Ford/GM/Dodge...far fewer cracks too. If GM made the IH heads,why were the Chevy ones inferior?

In '76 I drove a school bus for a private school. They had and old IH bus that was the back-up(IIRC,it was a '65). I drove it some and it felt/drove/shifted better than the Fords and Dodges.

Keep it.

 

[Bull Barrel]

That would due to the fact the parts were made to IH spec.

 

[graygun]

That would due to the fact the parts were made to IH spec.

Maybe,but I'm not convinced GM made them.

 

[Taterman]

From this:

To this:

I know, it's not an IH...