International S series
The International S series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by International Harvester 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. The chassis was produced with both gasoline and diesel powertrains, 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. During 1989, the S-Series underwent a major revision and was split into multiple model lines. After 2001, International phased in product lines based upon the "NGV" architecture; severe-service and bus chassis variants produced through 2003 and 2004, respectively.
Previous use of name
The S-series model designation was first used by International Harvester during the 1950s. During 1955 production, the R series model family underwent an update, with International renaming its light-duty and medium-duty trucks the S-series.The model designation was used through 1957, when International introduced the A-series model family as an all-new design.
First generation (S series; 1978–1989)
In April 1977, International Harvester unveiled the medium-duty S series at an event at the New Orleans Superdome. The initial lineup consisted of heavier-duty 2200, 2500, and 2600 models, replacing the Fleetstar. In the summer of 1978, lighter-GVWR models were released for sale. The 21 models of the full lineup had a high degree of parts interghangability, this standardisation helped lower the number of parts used by thirty percent.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. 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. 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.
Models
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 versions of the S series were named F-series trucks.Class 6 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.Class 7-8 trucks
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.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
| Model | Max. front GAWR | Max. rear GAWR | Engine | Trans |
| 1600 4x2 | V-345 | 4M, 4A | ||
| Binder 4x2 | V-345 | 5M, 4A | ||
| 1700 4x2 | MV-404, D-170 | 10M, 5A | ||
| 1800 4x2 | MV-446, DT-466 | 13M, 5A | ||
| 1800 4x4 | MV-446, DT-466 | 5M, 4A | ||
| 1900 4x2 | MV-446, DT-466 | 10M, 5A | ||
| 1900 6x4 | MV-466, DT-466 | 10M, 5A | ||
| 1900 6x6 | MV-466, DT-466 | 5M | ||
| 2100 4x2 | V-537, DT-466 | 10M | ||
| 2100 6x4 | V-537, DT-466 | 10M | ||
| 2200 4x2 | Cat 3406 | 13M | ||
| 2200 6X4 | Cat 3406 | 13M | ||
| 2300 4x4 | ||||
| 2500 4x2 | Cat 3406 | 13M | ||
| 2500 6X4 | Cat 3406 | 13M | ||
| 2600 4x2 | Cum PT | 13M | ||
| 2600 6X4 | Cum PT | 13M |
Second generation (1989–2001)
As a running change during 1989 production, the S-Series model line underwent an extensive revision. While the cab structure was retained, the interior and exterior underwent a complete redesign. To optimize aerodynamics, the model line was given a lower hoodline and closer-fitting fenders. An all-new dashboard received a redesigned instrument panel along with a two-spoke steering wheel.During its production life, the second-generation vehicles saw few major changes. From 1989 to its 2001 discontinuation, the exterior remained nearly unchanged; in 1992, International changed the design of the instrument panel, updating the entire interior in 1995.
Models
For 1989, International split the S-series model line into three distinct model families, all sharing the same cab structure. The 4000 series was the medium-duty truck range, with the 7100/8100 serving as the Class 7/8 tractor series. The 2500/2600 severe-service truck were carried over, dropping their S-series badging prefix.Class 5-7 trucks
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.
Class 7-8 trucks
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.The 8000 series was produced through 2001, when it was replaced by an all-new 8000 series.
Severe-service trucks
Again slotted below the Paystar, the 2500 and 2600 severe-service trucks dropped their S-series prefix. During the 1990s, the set-back axle 2674 was restyled with the aerodynamic hood of the 8300. The 2500/2600 remained in production through 2003, outlasted only by the 3800 school-bus chassis.| Model | Replaced | Notes |
| 4500 | S1600 | Low-profile chassis |
| 4600 | ||
| 4700 | Low-profile chassis | |
| 4900 | S1800 | Available with tandem rear axles. |
| 8100 | S1900 | |
| 8200 | Long hood semi-tractor | |
| 8300 | Long hood semi-tractor | |
| 2500 | Long hood | |
| 2600 | Long hood, set-back front axle Available in 4x2, 4x4, 6x4, and 6x6 drive | |
| 3600 | Australasia-specific model, similar to 2500 model-specific hood |
Bus use
Throughout its production, the S series would be used as a cowled chassis for bus manufacturers. While used primarily for yellow school buses in the United States and Canada, the S series also was used outside of North America as a basis to produce other types of bus bodies. Introduced in 1979, the bus variant of the S series would be one of the final models designed by International Harvester before its transition to Navistar. In 1989, the S-series bus chassis was rechristened the 3000 series with the fitment of the new-generation Navistar cowl.Produced until 2004, the bus chassis would outlive its truck counterpart by three years; its 25-year production run is the longest of any product ever sold by International Harvester or Navistar.