Threading through International Harvester’s portfolio of top-notch agricultural equipment and heavy-duty commercial trucks wove a steady appearance of pickups. The company began producing light-duty vehicles in 1907, and it didn’t stop until 1975. While its innovations came in fits and starts, with long stretches of very slow evolution in between times, the company had some hits in its repertoire. Today, many “Binders” are considered collectible without costing an arm and a leg, making IH vehicles a great option for new vintage vehicle owners. Here on facebook Marketplace is this 1949 International KB-2 pickup, with an asking price of $12,000. This truck runs and drives, and it’s located in Edmond, Oklahoma. The seller has owned it for eight years. T. J., great tip! Thanks!
The KB series was launched in 1947 as a mild refresh of IH’s K-series. The primary changes were cosmetic, including the grill “wings” and chrome trim on the hood. The new series still motored with IH’s “Green Diamond” 214 cu. in. flathead six, good for 82 hp and 160 lbs-ft of torque at 1200 rpm. This unit is mated to a three-speed floor shift manual. The KB-2 is a three-quarter-ton truck; opting for a heavy-duty version of the same series would get you a bigger engine and a four-speed. The seller’s description is brief, but his photos are great, including at least a couple of underside shots. Things are pretty clean down there.
The cab is neatly finished, with good paint, decent floors, and great upholstery. I’m always noticing design features, and International’s truck interiors, while spartan, also feel elegant to me, with simple rectangular dash elements, and that delicate steering wheel. A few flaws jump out here – the headliner is missing, as are the sun visors, and the metal work along the top of the windshield is rusted through. The seller indicates his truck has no rust, so this claim warrants closer investigation, given the evidence.
About 122k KBs of all types were made in the three years of production, and most were used up. Finding an original example is difficult, as many have seen drivetrain swaps. If you’re in the market for an early International light-duty, today’s featured ’49 KB-2 is a viable candidate. Prices usually sit in the mid-teens to $30k area for good drivers: this KB-3 sold for almost $30k a few months ago, while a respectable 1949 KB-2 made just $16,500 at Mecum a year ago. What do you think – is this truck a good buy, or would you want to negotiate?
Well, she’s a gal of her word. She promised an IH, and while I was hoping for that 4070 Eagle, we’ll take it. The K series was pretty much a pre-war D series, and became the staple of rural farms. I read this truck cost about $1400 new, about par with the others. While the motor got us through thick and thin during the war, by this time, it was clearly dated and the update was right around the corner. Not sure if someone would have plans for any street use, 45mph is about it. For a little putt-putt around town, be great. Alternator is an add on, and looks so out of place, I assume it’s 12V now. Also, the box was from an aftermarket company called “Knox”, and they supplied the boxes for primarily IH. Naturally the price is optimistic, Post war pickups just aren’t 5 figure vehicles, but let the buyer figure that out. It’s a great find, much obliged.
I suppose no post of mine would be complete without some sort of somber recollection. I had a good friend, his name was Al, he was Quad Graphics 1st driver and his dad was a grumbly old union dump truck O/O, needless to say, we had a lot in common. After I got my Diamond T, Al wanted an old pickup too. He found a truck exactly like this, in fact, I had to check to see if it was his. I doubt his made it to OK. He then got a parts truck, maybe $500 total investment, early 80s. I lost track of Al for several years, then contacting another friend, he informed me Al went in for a minor surgery, and came out the back door. He was 47.
I was hoping for a KB……..10.
Wow Michelle, you weren’t kidding!! There is a lot to like about this old “Binder”. The chrome grill is all there and intact which is great. And that paint just might come around a bit with a careful compounding. It just looks like a solid, honest old workhorse. Hopefully, it will find a new home. One thing I did not know about was the floor shifted 3 speeds. I always thought they were column shifted and the floor shifters were 4 speeds only. ( Once again learned something new on here from Michelle) A tip of the hat to T.J. for this great find and of course to Michelle for the great write up too!!! It will be interesting to see the other comments on this one.