The KB1-5 was a series of trucks produced by International Harvester after World War II. They load ratings ranging from ½ ton to 90,000 lbs., so they could get most any job done. Except for its drivetrain, this ’47 HB3 was largely original and is a solid survivor of 74 years. It’s has a new crate 350 V8 with a 4-speed automatic transmission, a nice upgrade from its powerplant from the early days of the Baby Boomer era. Located in Grants Pass, Oregon, this timeless machine is available here on craigslist for $25,450. Thanks for another neat tip, DAN OLDER!
The KB was an evolution of the K Series that debuted in 1940. The KB came long seven years later with its most noticeable difference being a widened lower grill appearing like “wings.” KB3 was a one-ton pickup that left the factory with a flathead six-cylinder engine displacing 214 cubic inches and 83 hp. This motor was known for its durability and reliability, yet one of these no longer resides in the seller’s pickup.
This truck, with its 8.5-foot-long bed, spent most of its life in Arizona and Southern California before settled into Oregon. It still wears its original green paint that is complemented now by patina. The truck was once a work vehicle, so hand-lettered door signage applied by the original owner is still somewhat legible. The seller or a predecessor decided to go modern about 3,000 miles ago and dropped a 350 Chevy crate V8 under the hood with a rebuilt automatic transmission with a LOKAR shifter. The entire wiring of the truck was redone, likely to support the drivetrain change. Its original, exposed cloth-bound wiring and clutch pedal are still present but no longer functioning.
According to the seller, this is a super dry truck, so you’d have to hunt to find any rust. Everything works as it should, even the crank-open windshield. The truck has more than 100,000 miles on it and the odometer has rolled over. It rides on a new set of seven-ply 7.50-16″ bias-ply, period-correct ribbed tires with fresh wheel liners and heavy-duty tubes. The truck is freeway capable, but back roads are its sweet spot. What the seller would rather have is a large displacement 4WD Utility Quad vehicle, so he will consider a possible equitable trade if you have one.
As of late I’m dealing with more and more people looking for parts for these old beasts. Engine parts are challenging so in many cases I can’t blame someone for wanting to make a change. The SBC will probably be one of the easiest changes but I definitely would NOT refer to it as an upgrade. Personally, I would’ve kept the Green Diamond. It’s powerful enough for me; I’m not in a hurry and I don’t care if the import SUV jockey behind me is going to be late for his meeting at Starbutts. But if you might think one of these is lacking in power, try a DS30 or a KB5 with that engine and 200 bushels of wheat…
Did you see the almost doppelganger of this truck on bring a trailer a few weeks back? All original, including the engine, same color and eerily similar patina. Super sweet. Wish this one had been left alone like that one.
Hi Geomechs, I agree that more folks are discovering these, and I was advised by a broker that these are being collected now in the middle east. I recently acquired a nice 1940 D-2 with the 213 Green Diamond. Finding parts is a big challenge, especially trim, mirrors, etc. I’m taking mine back to as close to bone stock as possible. If you have any private parts suppliers ( I pretty much know the online suppliers) you would be open to share with me, I would be deeply grateful.
Hi John. I’ve got a ’38 D-2 of my own and I know where you’re coming from in your search for parts. But there are some sources that are good. There are some really good International pages on FB that can help you out with some harder-to-find parts. If you contact me at: george.s@oldinternationaltrucks.com I can give you some pages…
This is a very cool pickup! The lack of rust is amazing for a vehicle of 74 years. “Original green paint that is complemented now by patina.” I know some guys like surface rust/worn paint; sorry, patina, but fresh paint would make this KB3 a standout. I’m OK with the engine swap, more power and easier to find parts for but I would have gone for modern radial tires for all the advantages they have over bias plys. GLWTS!
Fresh paint would make it look like another old truck with fresh paint slapped on it. I understand not everyone appreciates the patina look, but this is pretty much perfection. It’s been taken too far to where a car has rust holes, multiple colors, primer and looks like garbage and they pass it off as cool patina. No. THIS is patina, painted by history and nature. It would be such a shame to paint it, but given the price someone will buy it that appreciates the look.
I chuckle to myself everytime I see these creations. Pardon me for being blunt, but whoever “built” this truck ought to be scolded. Okay, you have a drivetrain capable of 100 mph in a vehicle designed for half that, with no improvements whatsoever. New bias ply tires, a volume could be written on that mistake in the name of originality? Some things are better left in the past. Brakes, straight axle, leaf springs, all will make for a wild ride. Again, making something out of something that was never intended for this. This truck was just fine with the 6 and a top speed of 45 mph. If you are going to update a vehicle like this, at least make it safe.
This truck looks safe to me. Nobody’s saying that you have to go 100 mph in it.
Safe is a relative word. When was the last time you drove a vehicle with bias-ply tires and king pin front end? Brakes too. While adequate for 1947, even stopping from 60 could be a handful, and with 16 leaves on the back( 10 regular, 6 helper) it’s going to be a rough ride. I don’t mind a resto-mod, but it should be finished to be used safely today.
You have a good point, Howard. Vehicles of that era were not designed for 80 mph. My brother-in-law has a ’36 Dodge coupe that has been completely hot-rodded, right down to what is essentially a 340 Six Pack, although he toned it down to a single 4 bbl. It goes like Jack, the bear, stops on a dime but get it up to 80+ and that wind starts to howl around the bullet headlights and push up under those front fenders. It actually feels like it wants to lift off–the ground. 75 isn’t bad but anything above that is flirting with disaster. However, that being said, a truck like this is probably OK up to 65 or even 70 and the SBC won’t have a problem getting it there. I also need to warn you that the diff is designed for 100 hp, not 300. While it will take quite a bit of abuse, it has its limits. Brakes? Yes but also bear in mind that the brakes were designed to stop the truck–WITH a full payload. I’m going to say, around 7000 lbs GVW. So they still might leave something to be desired. I might add that if I was to do anything with the brakes I would start by installing a dual system; those single systems make me nervous. Suspension? Yes. Tone it down so you aren’t biting a chunk out of the steering wheel every time you cross a seam on the highway. If it was mine I’d take the overloads out and probably a leaf out of each corner. For me the truck would be hauling the beer to the picnic, an engine block or two to the machine shop, trash to the dump, and probably a load of sheep dooey for the garden, just like a truck was designed to do…
Would it be out of line to suggest a new owner can make this pick-it-up truck unique by clear coating the patina and bagging the suspension?
Asking for a friend.
I know nothing about bagging the suspension, but I know that clearing over the original patina a will ruin the finish. Even the satin clears look terrible in my opinion. I have an original paint ‘66 C10 and all I do is wax it regularly. keeps the rust at bay.
Is it just me, or does the first photo look like a scale model in a diorama? (I know it’s just lighting playing tricks.)
Dad had a ‘49 dually stakeside aptly named “The Bomb” in the mid sixties. Maybe a KB4? Used to go on evening cruises to “get gas”. Remember Dad telling me that the trick was not to get very much, because if we did there would be no excuse to go again. After he retired from home building he started a small dozer/dump truck business. The Bomb was the first rig to move Case 310 dozer and loader on a tilt bed trailer. Then came a ‘47 KB6 Tractor with lowboy trailer. It was slow as molasses in January, but absolutely 100% dependable. Never had a mechanical failure in all the years he used it. Hauled some horrendous loads, including an IH TD9 dozer with 10 1/2’ blade. They were amazing trucks! 350 Chevy and an automatic? No thanks.
Hi Bunky. That KB4 was kind of like a red-headed stepchild; it didn’t have a specific place in the lineup but there were enough to make their mark. But consider the competition and things weren’t much different even through the 70s. I saw Chevy C-40s, Dodge 400s, Ford F-4s. I guess they had their place. The KB6 was definitely not designed for speed. It would’ve had a Blue Diamond 250 which might have had 125 hp but gobs of torque that would rival that TD-9. Interesting engine, with replaceable sleeves, it was something that could be rebuilt forever…
90.000 ! 45ton pickup! Must have a solid frame
I would want the original 6 cylinder motor and transmission. The original 6 would do just fine with a top speed of 45 to 50 mph whether empty or overloaded. The original color is Adarondack sp green.
I have identical truck.looks exactly like a twin.i put a 327 in it and have original 213 engine and trans.no smoke or blow by if anyone wants it..also I need 16 in split wheel for spare
Suspension technology from this era, whether it be car or truck, is not conducive to the torque stress radial tires potentially would induce on a truck like this… Correct bias 7 ply truck tires are the safest approach, on factory offset wheels. This is not a canyon carver, it’s my daily coffee run machine and my dog loves the crank open windshield… Just rest your left arm on the door frame, window down, and unwind. Thus truck is for therapy. Not about going fast…
I couldn’t agree more…