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Budget Beast: 1953 International R-130

Now, this is a beast of a truck! This International R-130 is even equipped with a dump bed and some serious tires. According to the seller, it was still being driven in 2016 and while it currently isn’t running, it should be a fairly simple project to get going again. And for an old work truck, it looks to be really solid. You can find this International here on eBay in Sweet Grass, Montana with a current bid of just $1,175.

Getting this truck running is going to take some work, but the seller was able to get the engine to start up. It won’t stay running though, so it will likely need the carburetor rebuilt and the fuel system serviced. The seller also notes that the shifter isn’t attached to the transmission and the key is broken off in the ignition. Neither should be overly difficult to fix, but they are things that will need to be done to get it on the road.

The interior is showing it’s age, but it actually has a cool look to it. It’s going to need to be cleaned up a bit and the speedometer currently isn’t working. The seat upholstery is awesome and the floors look to be in great shape. The seller states that the seats aren’t bolted down, but came with it when they got it. Chances are they were reupholstered, but they sure look sweet.

The seller also states that this truck is solid throughout and it really does look good. There are some dents and the paint isn’t the best, but for this kind of money, how can you go wrong? With just a little work, you could have a great old truck. And given how solid it is, it would be a great restoration candidate! So be sure to take a closer look at this beast of a truck!

Comments

  1. Avatar John M.

    It has good solid bones and the next owner is going to get one heck of a deal when the auction ends in a little over a day.

    My verdict,

    I LIKE IT!

    Like 4
  2. Avatar Stevieg

    Looks like mid 1970’s Blazer bucket seats. Not a complaint, just an observation.
    Could be a neat old corn binder!

    Like 1
  3. Avatar geomechs Member

    Looking at those pics, that pretty much describes Sweetgrass today. Well, not quite as much snow but we got a nasty system overnight that has brought a mix of rain and snow for the next couple of days. That’s OK. I’m in Great Falls, and headed over to the gun show.

    OK, this truck. When I was a kid there were quite a few L-130 trucks in the neighborhood. Sure can’t say there were all that many R-series though. My Dad had an L-120 and a 130, and several neighbors had something similar. The R was very similar overall, just the change in the grill. That looks to be an SD220 powering it. Not a real powerhouse but it will work its tail off for you without complaint.

    If this were mine, I’d retire the hoist and just put the box back down on the frame. I wouldn’t be hauling anything that would require a hoist and the extra height is getting higher the older I get. There’s probably lots of old tailgates languishing in old iron piles around the district. A lot of farmers pulled the original gates and installed a wooden one with a sliding grain door in the center.

    Ditch those daggoned bucket seats and get a bench!!!

    Like 4
    • Avatar Mike

      I always love reading your posts. Entertaining and informative at the same time.

      Like 3
    • Avatar Ed P

      The buckets may be comfortable, but they are not period correct.

      Like 1
    • Avatar Mountainwoodie

      GeoMechs:.

      Heres a song for your next trip to the gun show..

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4AOVTVbwOQ

      Like 1
      • Avatar geomechs Member

        LMAO!!!! Thank you so much for the link! It makes shovelling snow just a little easier. My wife loves it too. Even added that it would be a good song to play on the way to church…

        Like 1
  4. Avatar BeeMoe

    Geomechs, go find all those tailgates! They are becoming one of the harder parts to find in decent shape.

    This beast has some heavy springs and will ride a lot better with about a ton of something in the bed.

    Those SD 220’s (and 240’s) are durable engines and can take a long sit and come back to life without much effort and the carb is about as easy a rebuild as you are ever going to find.

    Like 4
    • Avatar Mike

      I believe that I saw a company advertising U.S.A. made repop tailgates for at least some of the old ‘Binders in a recent issue of my favorite magazine. As for carburetors, I’m having about the same luck finding one for the Cub Cadet 1330 that I’m restoring.

      Like 1
      • Avatar geomechs Member

        Hi Mike. I’ve read that too, probably the same magazine. I ran into a guy at the swap meet in Lethbridge, AB, last Feb. If you had a pattern (and money of course) he’all make a replacement for you. He did a set of rear fenders for a ‘40 Ford pickup for a guy down south of Great Falls. I’ve thought about hiring him to fabricate a set of rear fenders for my D2. In the meantime I’ll keep on the lookout for that outfit in the magazine. Over the years I’ve rebuilt a lot of carburetors that were deemed hopeless. I’ve built up throttle shafts and turned them down; I’ve reamed out a lot of throttle bodies and fitted bushings. A lot of work but that’s often what it takes to get another relic back on the road…

        Like 1
    • Avatar geomechs Member

      Hi BeeMoe. More often than not the old saying: ‘Me and my big mouth’ comes out to bite me in the six. Truthfully, I HAVE seen tailgates, truck doors, windshield frames and grills. Now that I’ve been put on the spot I’m at a loss as to WHERE I’ve seen the stuff. I need to be like my late friend and drag the stuff home whenever I see it. However, I DO know where I can start looking—as soon as the snow disappears.

      Like 1
  5. Avatar luke arnott

    Had a bench seat originally.I have an L112 with a BD264.The carb needed replacing and I could NOT get one anywhere – apparently only used on that engine for 1 year.Fitted a Carter instead,which works ok.

    Like 1
  6. Avatar Kim

    My dad had an international pu of that vintage. He paid $350 in the late sixties and that truck ran flawlessly for 30 years after that. He would haul 2 tons of hay, coal, rock and dirt over the years. In the winter when nothing else would start, the ole binder would barely crank because of its 6 volt system, but if it could turn over one piston to top dead center it was running. What a truck!

    Like 4
    • Avatar luke arnott

      If my L112 had spurs,it could climb trees as it has a granny box!

      Like 3
  7. Avatar Del

    Montana Canucks at it again.

    Not one of their better offers.

    But going for peanuts

    Like 0
  8. Avatar TheGasHole

    Good old county 49…..

    Like 0

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