International Transtar Explained

See also: Studebaker Transtar.

International TranStar
Manufacturer:Navistar International
Production:2002-2017
Class:Class 6, 7 & 8, tractor unit
Successor:RH Series

The International TranStar (originally the International 8000 Series), is a range of Class 8 trucks produced by Navistar International for North America. Produced nearly exclusively as a semitractor, the product range is focused towards local delivery and regional shipping.

Introduced in 2002, the 8000 Series replaced a product line of the same name derived from the long-running International Harvester S-Series. In 2007, Navistar rebranded the 8000 Series as the International TranStar. The name is derived from International Harvester Transtar, used for various Class 8 conventional and cabover highway tractors from the 1960s to the 1980s.

Historical models (International Harvester)

Cabover

During the 1960s the DCOF-405 or "Emeryville" was the top seller among American trucks for four years.[1]

In 1965, International Harvester introduced the CO-4000, replacing the DCO-400. Featuring a larger and wider cab, the CO-4000 was distinguished by a large trapezoidal grille, a design feature that would be used on International cabovers into the late 1990s. For 1968, the CO-4000 was given an update, with the standard engine becoming the turbocharged IHC DVT573 diesel V8 with optional diesel Cummins and Detroit Diesel engines. Internally known as the CO/COF-4070A and as COF-4090A (with a raised cab), the new truck was marketed as the Transtar.

For 1970, two new models were introduced. A Super Transtar featured a Detroit Diesel 12V71 V12 engine, allowing for loads of up to 144,000 lbs. The all-wheel drive Unistar was introduced; the truck was fitted with a freewheeling front axle, powered when the drive system detected loss of traction from the rear wheels; the Unistar was sold through 1972.

During 1974, the Transtar cabover underwent a second upgrade, becoming the Transtar II (CO/COF-4070B).[2] Visually, few changes were made between the two vehicles, although a Transtar II is distinguished by windshield wipers mounted from the top of the cab. Under the cab, to accommodate trends towards larger-displacement engines, International modified the engine lineup. International offered its own V800 turbocharged diesel V8 (replacing the DVT573), with Detroit Diesel introducing the 8V92 V8 (in place of the 12V71), the Caterpillar 3406 six, and several Cummins engines, including the 1150cid KT-450 six (among the largest engines ever fitted to a roadgoing vehicle).

In 1981, the Transtar II CO 4070 was discontinued, replaced by the CO-9670, the first of the Newport Series cabovers. Sharing little more than the trapezoidal grille with the Transtar, the 9670 (also branded as the XL-Series) shared its doors with the Transtar 4300 conventional. In a significant break from precedent, the interior of the 9670 and its successors were designed without any intrusion of the engine or transmission (leaving a flat floor). The final Newport-series cabover sold in North America was assembled in 1998.

Conventional

In 1969, International Harvester introduced the Transtar 400 conventional. An update of the D-400 introduced in 1961, the Transtar 400 was a long-hood conventional fitted with the cab of the DCO-400 ("Emeryville") cabover.

In 1971, International Harvester replaced the Transtar 400 with the Transtar 4270 (short-hood) and 4370 (long-hood) conventionals. A completely new design with a much larger cab, the Transtar cab would be shared with the all-new Paystar introduced in 1973.

In 1985, the Transtar 4370 saw a major update and a renaming. Dropping the Transtar name, it became the International 9370, an introductory model of the International 9000 series. In 2000, the cab saw a major redesign for the first time since its 1971 introduction.

Design overview

Although using a wide variety of chassis frames for each vehicle, the 8000/TranStar is produced with the same cab as the International DuraStar (with which it shares a larger version of its grille), the ProStar, WorkStar, LoneStar, and the discontinued TerraStar and XT truck lines. As it is designed as a regional vehicle, the exterior of the TranStar did not include the fuel-efficiency enhancements integrated into the long-haul ProStar.

Models

8500

The 8500 model has a wheelbase from 128to, is powered by an International HT 570. Its front axle capacity is 10000lb or 12000lb. Rear single axle has a capacity of 23000lb. Rear tandem axle has a capacity of 40000lb. Both axles are either Meritor or Dana Spicer and are available with a driver-controlled locking differential. Applications include beverage, city tractor, and regional haul.[3]

8600

The heavier-duty 8600 model has a wheelbase from 128to, is powered by either a Caterpillar or Cummins diesel. Its front axle is either a Meritor with a capacity of 10000lb, 12000lb, or 13200lb or a Dana Spicer with a capacity of 10000lb, 12000lb, 13200lb, or 14000lb. Rear single axle capacity is 23000lb. Rear tandem axle capacity is 40000lb. Both axles are either Meritor or Dana Spicer and are available with a driver-controlled locking differential. Applications include beverage, city tractor, liquid or dry bulk, and regional haul.[3]

Engines and transmissions

8500

8600

Note: References for this section are the same as for Variants

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Flashback Friday: profiling International Harvester's rich history in trucks. Mall. Scott. FreightWaves. 2019-06-21. 2019-06-27.
  2. Web site: International Transtar Photo Lineage from Doug McKenzie. 2011-12-29.
  3. Web site: International Truck and Engine Corporation . 2013-05-03 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20081007154115/http://69.20.127.42/portal/site/ITrucks/menuitem.2fea1fe726559abc31f8e968121010a0/?vgnextoid=f82b3378c8d9e010VgnVCM10000085d0eb0aRCRD . 2008-10-07 . International Trucks website- 8500
  4. Web site: C13 ACERT . 2007-10-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070806082352/http://ohe.cat.com/cda/layout?m=85524&x=7 . 2007-08-06 . dead .
  5. http://www.everytime.cummins.com/every/applications/ism.jsp Cummins ISM