Kb 8 1949


The "Hot Rod" version of the K and KB truck

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Post Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:07 pm

Kb 8 1949

Thinking about putting the body of this kb8 on a newer chassis and engine set up. I'm Hoping someone on here has done this and could suggest which frame/chassis/ motor set up works the best with the body of this kb8

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Post Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:19 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

I know you have already received one response on the other thread. In my humble opinion, you will need to measure, measure, measure. Then you will need to decide what you are looking to do in the way of "use" of the vehicle you would like to build. I know one fellow that put the KB 8 cab I took to him, on a Semi chassis. It did look good. Perhaps a "medium" truck chassis would be a good candidate? Maybe something like an International Box truck? Just my thoughts, others may have better ideas.

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Post Sat Feb 03, 2018 2:35 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

Thanks I did hear of someone using a freightliner chassis. On this truck I'd like to have the old look with engine and chassis of something newer so it handles and drives better

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Post Sat Feb 03, 2018 3:07 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

As CB suggested in the other thread. A 466 is a good motor, and can come with either an automatic or several different Manual transmissions. If you can make the sheet metal fit, I think you have many possibilities with the Mid size units , Lots of older rental trucks out there.

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Post Sun Feb 04, 2018 2:20 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

Thanks for the suggestion I really like the looks of the international low profile 4700 and I think the 4400 if I'm correct in my models.. I wish I knew more people close to me that had these truck and I could start measuring. The narrow hood on the kb 8 I'm sure starts to limit a lot of what I can do

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Post Mon Feb 05, 2018 5:27 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

I'm in the process of combining 2 KB7 cabs into a Crew cab that I'm putting on a 1997 GMC K3500 4x4 Dually. The preliminary measurements looked OK so first I took the International fenders, grill, bumper and cab off and the cab sits a little tight o the GMC frame. May need to do a little massaging. The front wheel span is the same between the International and the GMC so the wheels/tires should fit and look good. It's interesting that the inner dual wheels on the International are inside the front wheel span and the outer duals on the GMC are outside the front wheel span. The GMC has a 454 so the engine compartment will be tight but again the preliminary measurements seem doable. I know there will be issues with headers, starter, steering etc but I think they can be worked out. I researched most of the posts on the site and didn't find any close to my planned mods. Definitely no crew cab projects. I'll try to post results as it goes, probably a 2 to 3 year project. Would do pictures but to computer illiterate to figure how to post from my Iphone

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Post Mon Feb 05, 2018 9:35 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

Very interesting project you have going on.. keep me posted on how it goes. I'm contacting a seller on an international 4700 low profile. No bed on it . Just set up for pulling a goose neck. I'm optimistic but restoring or customizing these trucks are anything but easy and hardly go together as easy as you want them too

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Post Wed Jul 11, 2018 8:40 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

How did this turn out? I found in my ventures that the front axle is too wide on newer trucks for the kb 8 fenders..

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Post Fri Jul 27, 2018 2:05 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

Still working on the crew cab build so don't know how I'll work out the final fender etc issue
There is a guy Phil Gordon(Grasshoper Customs) out of Topeka Kansas that is doing a build for a customer.

He has it on utube. It'll have a Cummins diesel, power windows, power sunroof A/c etc. he shows a lot of the steps to cut the cabs etc
Exactly what I'm hoping to do minus the cummins
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Post Fri Jul 27, 2018 5:57 pm

Re: Kb 8 1949

Lifelong Kansan
Grew up with red paint
Moved off the farm 33 years ago.
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