New cabover shop truck

[Slackerzinc]

Hey all, I figured I would start a thread on my new shop truck build. Its a 1986 International CargoStar 1650B, with the 6.9 iwi V8 diesel and a 125" wheelbase. I have 2 more of the same truck (different years) with 1 has a DT466 and a Allison 5 speed and 1 is a 446 gas and a manual. Over the winter I plan on stretching the wheelbase out 2 feet to 149" so I can put a 16' deck on it. Once the deck is on it I will use it to haul my motorcycles, side by side, equipment or lumber.
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[lis2323]

Too bad you need a 16 foot deck. It must turn on a dime with that short wheelbase. Looks in sweet shape[emoji106].

 

[Duke55]

Awesome! Not something you see everyday.


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[Slackerzinc]

Yea it is in pretty much mint condition. It only has 50 000 kms on it. It does turns pretty nice. The grey one that you can see off to side in first picture is 149” wheel base. It’s pretty easy to get around.

 

[willymakeit]

Flat bed going to dump also?

 

[willymakeit]

I s the flat bed going to dump. Pretty useful feartue.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I am thinking about the deck being able to dump. I have been looking for a lift cylinder on kijiji. If I don’t find one for a reasonable price a solid mounted deck will be ok. Sure be nice to drop a load of gravel or topsoil

 

[RivennHewn]

I vote dump.

Love mine.

 

[kbs2244]

That is a lot of truck for motorcycles.
How many do you haul?

 

[Firebrick43]

Spent a lot of time in one. Dad had a semi tractor with a 392 gasser. It had 50 gallon square tanks on each side and the front and rear tire were about 5" from them. A super beetle had a longer wheel base. We didn't drive it bob tail if there was a chance of precipitation as it could swap ends if it ran over someone's spit. It could put a trailer anywhere however. Thanks for posting.

 

[lis2323]

Spent a lot of time in one. Dad had a semi tractor with a 392 gasser. It had 50 gallon square tanks on each side and the front and rear tire were about 5" from them. A super beetle had a longer wheel base. We didn't drive it bob tail if there was a chance of precipitation as it could swap ends if it ran over someone's spit. It could put a trailer anywhere however. Thanks for posting.

That would have made an excellent little yard tractor[emoji106]

 

[Tink]

You could set it up to be a dump and add the ram when you find one.

 

[Vegaman_Dan]

I do like the look of that Int Cab. Very sleek and purposeful. Clean appearance for hardware. While I'm sure you'll put a headache rack on it for a flatbed, the back of that cab is so nicely designed that it's a shame to hide it.
.
I do hope to do a flatbed truck build some day. I keep focusing on GMC/Chev 40's or 50's trucks, but these little bobtail tractors are inexpensive and have such great styling. Maybe I should reconsider my future plans. I'll be watching this with interest.

 

[vekster]

cool project, ill be watching

 

[Slackerzinc]

Haha I have a couple, I tend to over do things!

That is a lot of truck for motorcycles.
How many do you haul?

 

[Slackerzinc]

I agree on the not wanting to hide the back of the cab, I won’t be hauling big loads(mainly motorcycles, side by side just using it as a cool
Old truck) I originally was going to build a hauler deck with beaver tail. But it would then be limited for uses. So now I will just do a fancy flat deck(skirted with built in cargo boxes and 45° corners) and tilt

I do like the look of that Int Cab. Very sleek and purposeful. Clean appearance for hardware. While I'm sure you'll put a headache rack on it for a flatbed, the back of that cab is so nicely designed that it's a shame to hide it.
.
I do hope to do a flatbed truck build some day. I keep focusing on GMC/Chev 40's or 50's trucks, but these little bobtail tractors are inexpensive and have such great styling. Maybe I should reconsider my future plans. I'll be watching this with interest.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I agree for sure. Building it to dump would be the plan.

I vote dump.

Love mine.

 

[driver]

Stacey David of Gearz did a project with an International COE. Installed lowering kit made it look good. Check out the pictures on his site, also includes links to the parts used.

https://staceydavid.com/projects/heavymetal/

 

[mike93lx]

Which motor of the three is the best? My uneducated guess would be the DT.

 

[lakeroadster]

Sweet!

 

[Slackerzinc]

You are right, the Dt466 is a lot better. Has more hp/torque and has a good 5 speed bolted to it

Which motor of the three is the best? My uneducated guess would be the DT.

 

[Ji m]

Some of those cab over trucks play hell on your back with every crack in the pavement.

I was a big fan of them until I spent a while in one of the COA work trucks.

I still think they look awesome,
but in small doses.

 

[Slackerzinc]

I just picked up 2 used steer tires from a friend that owns a scrap yard.
I think I did ok for $200 for the pair.
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[C_F]

I'm impressed how clean that truck is, nice find! I'm looking forward to seeing how your project turns out.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Going to be an interesting project. What was this truck used for in it's former life ?

 

[gotham]

Cool! I've been dreaming of a COE shop truck. I'm thinking 1930s/40s on pickup / van chassis but this looks amazing.

 

[Slackerzinc]

It was a street sweeper. That’s why it has such short wheelbase

Going to be an interesting project. What was this truck used for in it's former life ?

 

[FlyingA321]

Love the truck. Don't see many anymore. Been trying to convince my better half that I need one as a daily driver. Had a 1965 Ford C-750 wrecker with a gas burner. Really wish I could get it back.

 

[Slackerzinc]

Todays project is updating the rear air brake chambers. They are the originals I believe and for the price they are cheap enough ($100 for both rears) for piece of mind.
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[rrangus]

Which motor of the three is the best? My uneducated guess would be the DT.

By far

 

[dogzbody1]

I love it!
Stakebed would be cool (doesn't hide the cab and would work for motorcycles).
Stacey David on Gearz (Velocity TV) is working one of these up as a tow truck

 

[dogzbody1]

Forgot to ask..
How about a picture or two of the interior?

 

[NUTTSGT]

It was a street sweeper. That’s why it has such short wheelbase

So 99% of it's life was spent at about 5 mph....or whatever KPH.

 

[Slackerzinc]

Yup, that why it has a non turbo v-8 and a 4 speed transmission too. It’s definitely not a rocket ship! LoL

 

[1/2 Cup]

All, these Internationals are pretty common out here.

Looking forward to seeing how it comes up..

Regards

 

[c39er]

Do you need a CDL or special insurance on it?
Nice truck for sure!

 

[don long]

The only big truck I worked on when I was a body man was an International just like yours. I put a nose panel on it Interesting truck
I'll be watching as I have a cab over I need to put a tilt bed on.

 

[Slackerzinc]

It’s under 26,001 lbs GVW and only a single axle. So all you need is a airbrake endorsement, and comercial insurance

Do you need a CDL or special insurance on it?
Nice truck for sure!

 

[zmotorsports]

Subscribed. Cool project truck.

We had a guy near where we used to live that had one of these cabover's tricked out and updated with a 5.9 Cummins/Allison combo. He updated the engine/transmission as well as installed a small jib crane that folded up against the back of the cab. He then had two personal water craft that he carried on the flatbed and hauled his huge *** ~35' boat to the lake. He had the COE painted to match his boat and the watercraft. I'm not a water or boat person, but it really was a cool looking setup and sure turned the heads.

 

[sberry]

I agree, nice thing for a part timer. I got one but its European, would rather have a domestic truck. I changed the cab on this and in hindsight should have got the whole truck and made 1 better one. Was another job turned out to be way more work than it should have been to mistakes and poor planning.
It was a bit of an impulse and I had I work for it. I should have decided that I liked it and then drove around the state, even 2 and found a better truck a lot cheaper.
If I was to do it again would call a resourceful bud from the big city and shop for one. I missed a chance to score a new engine for near free which would help. Its too smokey to use in public work, and the crane is really a size too small. With a bigger crane would need tandem so its a toss up. A guy may be able to do one axle on a size larger, havnt really looked. Its good enough that we use it for a utility truck some vs a 350 etc and I only burned 3 tanks of fuel in a season.
I am going to buy a sheet of steel for the bed, its elderly and will be easy to do.