Why did International stop making the light trucks/SUV's? (first vehicle, best, truck)

[Mopac1980]

Why did International stop making the light trucks/SUV's? Also why didn't the International ever make cars like Ford, GM, Chrysler and even AMC did back in the day?

[North Beach Person]

I had an International p/u as a work truck, it was like a 65. My God that was a tank.

[M3 Mitch]

There is a good book out on it " A Corporate Trajedy" - I forget the author's name.

Long story short, they got way behind the curve in developing emission controls in the late '70's, that and the tractors they were building at the time had some issues caused by putting a newer, uprated engine with an older design transmission that was not really up to the engine's power output.

But I obviously can't do justice to a whole book in a post.

They certainly made some very advanced SUV's/Jeeps for the day back in the mid-60s.

I like my 54 Super C tractor very well too.

[73-79 ford fan]

International Harvester is best known or was best known for its ag division which was sold to Case Tennico in 1984. I'm a big fan of their tractors. The economy was pretty bad in the 70s and 80s so that may have been a factor in their stopping production of light trucks. The medium duty truck division still makes trucks.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by Mopac1980

Why did International stop making the light trucks/SUV's? Also why didn't the International ever make cars like Ford, GM, Chrysler and even AMC did back in the day?

I think it was money, plain and simple.

Several of the "big" tractor companies diversified back in the good old days. John Deere sold everything from snowmobiles to hay balers. International sold everything from the little 4-cylinder Scout to Semi Tractors. But those days are gone.

International still makes full-sized trucks, but not pickups or Scouts. I don't know exactly when they quit.

[Omaha Rocks]

Originally Posted by M3 Mitch

There is a good book out on it " A Corporate Trajedy" - I forget the author's name.

Long story short, they got way behind the curve in developing emission controls in the late '70's, that and the tractors they were building at the time had some issues caused by putting a newer, uprated engine with an older design transmission that was not really up to the engine's power output.

But I obviously can't do justice to a whole book in a post.

They certainly made some very advanced SUV's/Jeeps for the day back in the mid-60s.

I like my 54 Super C tractor very well too.

I grew up driving Internationals on the family farm. The old 400 was the "big tractor". Dad also had a H - and you know exactly what that is.

Overall, International had a lot of incredibly tough tractors. They had a lot of trouble with the Torque Amplifiers in the late 50s through the 60s, but their diesel engines were phenomenal.

Honestly, were it not for John Deere coming out with the 4010 & 4020, when they did, I think International may have driven John Deere out of business by the mid 60s.

[SD4020]

Emissions and economy of the 70 for smaller vehicles. In the 80s the farming situation didn't help.

International did wise up and sell diesels to Ford for 20 plus years. Sold many a 6.9 liter, 7.3, 7.3 Powerstroke etc.

[texdav]

Basically internationin the later years almost had to give their truck away. No profit is the reason.

[Swampmonster]

Originally Posted by Omaha Rocks

I grew up driving Internationals on the family farm. The old 400 was the "big tractor". Dad also had a H - and you know exactly what that is.

Overall, International had a lot of incredibly tough tractors. They had a lot of trouble with the Torque Amplifiers in the late 50s through the 60s, but their diesel engines were phenomenal.

Honestly, were it not for John Deere coming out with the 4010 & 4020, when they did, I think International may have driven John Deere out of business by the mid 60s.

I have a Super H w/wide front end that runs and looks as good if not better than when it rolled out of the factory...it's a bear to steer tho'

My old man was a big IH fan and we had several trucks,Scouts and Travelalls while I was growing up and the first vehicle I ever drove was a early 60's Scout when I was around 8-9 yo....he stuck it in low two and first gear and turned me loose and .02 mph

I actually worked for a company for awhile that rented space in the old IH factory in Fort Wayne,IN...I wandered ALL OVER that place.

I also agree with you on the JD thing....IH was kicking their ass bad and the 4010 and 4020 saved their hide.

[caution]

Our family had two IH tractors. One from the late 70s is still running strong, the other was older and sold off when I was a kid. Older Brother had a Scout, built to the 9s for off road. I don't remember ever getting stuck. I remember the snorkel he built for it -- didn't look that great but it worked.