International S series Specifications, Photos and Videos

The International S series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by International Harvester (later Navistar International) from 1977 to 2001. Introduced to consolidate the medium-duty IHC Loadstar and heavy-duty IHC Fleetstar into a single product range, the S series was slotted below the Transtar and Paystar Class 8 conventionals.

The IHC S series was produced in a number of variants for a wide variety of applications, including straight trucks, semitractors, vocational trucks, and severe-service trucks. Additionally, the S series was produced in other body configurations, including a four-door crew cab, cutaway cab, cowled chassis, and a stripped chassis (primarily for school buses). The chassis was produced with both gasoline and diesel powertrains (the latter exclusively after 1986), single or tandem rear axles, and two, four, or, six-wheel drive layouts.

The last complete product line designed within the existence of International Harvester, the S series was produced in its original form through 1989. To reflect the change to Navistar, a major facelift updated the exterior and interior of many models, which were produced through 2001. As a replacement for the S series, Navistar introduced the 4000 series and 7000 series (known as the International DuraStar and International WorkStar since 2008).

As a nameplate, International Harvester first introduced the S series for 1956. Available as the IHC light-duty and medium-duty range, the predecessor R series remained in production. In addition, the S series formed the basis for its own generation of the IHC Travelall wagon, marking the introduction of a four-wheel drive option for the model.

The heaviest version (the S1840) was produced with a GVWR of 24,000 lb (10,886 kg), powered by a 308 ci "Black Diamond" gasoline engine.

Production of the light duty S series ended in 1957, when it was replaced by the A series. The S-184 heavy version was produced by the Brazilian subsidiary of International Harvester, until its 1966 purchase by Chrysler.

In April 1977, International Harvester unveiled the medium-duty S series at an event at the New Orleans Superdome. Initial sales[when?] were of heavier-duty 2200, 2500, and 2600 models (28,000-45,000 lb GVW[a]), replacing the Fleetstar. In the summer of 1978, lighter-GVWR models (replacing the Loadstar) were released for sale.

Following the discontinuation of the IHC pickup-truck line in 1975, the S series was designed with a model-specific cab, replacing the pickup-truck cab used for the Loadstar (designed for the 1957 A series). More vertically-oriented than its predecessor, the design was much wider as well. To lower maintenance costs, all windows in the cab were designed with flat glass, including the windshield. Similar in style to the tilting hood introduced for the Loadstar in 1972, all S-series trucks were given a tilting fiberglass hood.

The S series would be produced throughout the 1980s largely unmodified. 1987 would mark several changes to the S-series trucks. To reflect the corporate change of the company from International Harvester to Navistar International, S-series trucks saw changes in their badging (alongside all International vehicles). On the grille, the word "International" across the top of the grille was replaced by a red Navistar "diamond" logo alongside "International" in red at the bottom left of the grille. Inside, the IHC "tractor" logo on the steering wheel was replaced by a Navistar diamond logo. In a major shift, for 1987, International became the first truck manufacturer to produce a medium-duty product line powered exclusively by diesel engines.

Originally intended to use the International Tristar nameplate, the S series consolidated the aging Loadstar and Fleetstar trucks under a single product line. Tandem-axle (6x4) versions of the S series were named F-series trucks.

The S1600, S1700, S1800, and S1900 were introduced in 1979. Replacing the International Harvester Loadstar model line, the model was produced in a number of configurations, with single and tandem rear axles, 4x4/6x6 drive options, and gasoline and diesel engines. The S-1800 and S-1900-were produced as both semitractors and straight trucks, while the S-1700 and S-1800 were used in the production of International Harvester bus chassis (primarily for school bus use).

Introduced in 1978 as the replacement for the Fleetstar, the S2100 and S2200 were joined by the severe-service S2500 and S2600, slotted below the International Paystar 5000. Configured primarily as tractors, the S2100 was fitted with a sloped hood. To accommodate larger-bore diesel engines under a standard-length hood, the S2200 was fitted with a widened cab (distinguished by a two-piece windshield).

In 1982, the S2300 was introduced; the model line was essentially an S2100 with International diesel engines replaced with Cummins-sourced powertrains.

1978–1983 models

During 1989 production, the S-series line underwent a major upgrade. Although the cab itself was retained, interiors saw complete redesigns, with all-new dashboards and interior controls; a two-spoke steering wheel replaced the previous three-spoke design in use. In the interest of aerodynamics, many models saw redesigned hoodlines, with halogen headlamps and wraparound turn signals.

During its production life, the second-generation vehicles saw few major changes, with the exterior remaining nearly unchanged throughout its entire production. In contrast, the interior would see several updates. In 1992, the instrument panel was redesigned, with the rest of the interior redesigned in 1995.

As part of the redesign, Navistar split its medium-duty S-series range into three separate model lines. The 4000 series served as the replacement for the S1600 through 1900 Class 5-7 trucks (with bus chassis rechristened the 3000 series), while the 8000 series replaced the S2100 and S2300 (the wide-body S2200 was discontinued). Again slotted below the Paystar, the 2500 and 2600 severe-service trucks dropped their S-series prefix.

Replacing the S1600 through S1900, the 4000 series was again produced in a number of configurations, with single and tandem rear axles, 4x4/6x6 drive options. Produced exclusively with diesel engines, the 4000 series was produced with the IDI V8 and DT360/DT466 engines.

The 4000 series was produced through 2001, when it was replaced by an all-new 4000 series (now the International DuraStar).

Replacing the S2100,and S2300, the 7100 and 8100 were introduced in 1989; the wide-body S2200 was not replaced. Configured nearly exclusively as tractors, the 8000 series was powered by the Cummins L10 diesel; the 7100 was a variant powered by the DT466.

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