KB International Trucks
Created 4 August 2005
Updated 10 December 2011
Below are some photos of three old KB International trucks. The three KB trucks feature two parked and rusting late 1940s KB-5 dumps and a KB-1. The cabs of both models, and the models inbetween (KB-2, KB-3, and KB-4), are the same, meaning that all parts are interchangeable. The differences are the wheelbases, the size of the wheels, the chasis length, and suspension springs, and engines and transmission. The KB-5 usually has a two-speed rearend with dual wheels, and is the heavy-duty model.
KB-5 Flatbed Dump
Below is a 1946 or 1947? KB-5 that was in northern California (between Auburn and Grass Valley) that I considered purchasing. It ran when parked about 8 years ago. It has a Green Diamond 233 flathead 6-cyclinder engine with a 4-speed transmission. The flatbed apparently dumps. Do I buy for parts for my 1949 or restore it? It will cost quite a bit to move it from northern California to Ojai, California. Is it worth it? Do I really need another old truck? I really just need some it for some of the parts, like the radiator, the fenders (they are in better shape then my '49), the hood emblem (it is in perfect shape), and maybe a few other items. Well, now in early 2007 the truck is gone, so the grandson must have finally been encouraged to move it from his grandfather's place. Where it went, I don't know.
The engine is a Green Diamond 233 ci 6-cylinder flathead, almost certainly the original engine. It ran when parked about 9 years ago. It will likely run again with minor work, including cleaning off all the rat turds. This truck was moved off this property sometime in 2006.
The identification plate says it is a KBS-5H, a designation that seems unique in that the meaning of the "H" is unknown to the experts on these old trucks. The KB is the model, the S stands for two-speed rear axle, and the 5 represents its weight class.
KB-5 Dump
Below is a 1946-49 KB-5 that I found in northeastern Santa Barbara County, California (in Cuyama). The model number on the ID plate says "KDB5 - 233 -- 147" (I can't really make out the second letter, but it looks most like a "D"). The Rating is 1 1/2 Ton; Chasis No. KB-5 ___6__; Weight: 4700; Body, Cab, Load & Equip.: 9496. It apparently has been siting for a few years. It looks like it has a Green Diamond 233 flathead 6-cylinder engine with a 4-speed transmission. It looks like the radiator might work for my KB-1, but the hood emblem is missing the enamel piece, and the chrome is blistering, so of no use to me. The fenders look in pretty good shape, as well as the hood. The flathead engine may be in working order as well, after some cleaning up and such.
KB-1
Below is a 1946-1949 KB-1 in northeastern Santa Barbara County, California, which I just saw for the first time on 20 March 2006. It has a flathead 6, probably a Green Diamond, but the radiator and air cleaner are gone. The Serial No. is 82579, I think (hard to read the first number). It has a Knox bed. Do I buy this one for parts for my 1949 or restore it? It will be MUCH cheaper for me to move the KB-1 to Ojai than the KB-5 up near Auburn, since it is parked only about 50 miles from my house. Do I really need another old truck? The hood emblem is in good shape, and it has at least two hubcaps. The KB-1 is the half-ton pickup truck model, the smallest/lightest duty model of the International Harvester trucks of this era. It was still there in early January 2008, but now gone in 2011 (dang!).
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