International M-2-4

History

The International Harvester Company, IHC, often simply referred to as “International”, originates from the merger in 1902 of the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company and Deering Harvester Company with 3 other small companies specializing in agricultural mechanical equipment.  During World War II, IHC has attained the rank of 33^rd supplier for the US military. Some of their productions were specific to the Marine Corps and for the US Navy. In the class of trucks “2 ½ ton, 6×6”, the equivalent of the GMC CCKW, IHC produced a very successful truck: the M-5 H-6. 36,000 units were produced, it was equipped with Thornton differential locks on the rear axles, a Hendrikson design with walking beam.

In the class of trucks “1 ton Cargo Truck” IHC began by delivering the M1-4, only 231 units were produced, plus 892 as ambulances (1941-1943). Its successor, the M2-4, was more successful with 9,101 units produced in the Springfield, Ohio plant.

There was two versions : with and without winch. The chassis were different: the winch was not on a riveted addition to the chassis as on the GMC CCKW.

The letter M was for “military”, 2 indicating the payload of 2,000 lbs and 4 indicated a 4WD vehicle. M-1-4 was equipped with the 213 cubic inch engine “Green Diamond Engine” while the M-2-4 had a bigger engine of 233 cubic inch “Red Diamond Engine”. The tires were larger on the M2-4 : 9.00-16 instead of 7.50-16.

The first M2-4 models were equipped with 6V electrical system, 12V later on and the wheels had 6 studs at the beginnig of production, 5 later on.

Technical data

Engine : gasoline, 93hp, 6 cylinders in line, over head valves

Transmission : 4 speed x 2 with transfer

Dimensions : 198″ x 85″ x 65″ (5,02 m x 2,16 m x 1,65 m)