The International WorkStar was a line of severe-duty trucks built by Navistar for construction, firefighting, railway maintenance, road upkeep and utilities. It carried on from the 7400 and 7600 series, took its new name in 2008 and was replaced by the International HV from the 2018 model year.
International WorkStar at a glance
| Maker | Navistar International |
|---|---|
| Name used | from 2008, replacing the 7400 and 7600 series |
| Type | severe-duty vocational truck |
| Layouts | 4×2 on all models, 4×4 on the 7300–7500, 6×4 and 6×6 on the 7400–7600 |
| Unusual layout | an 8×6 tridem on the 7600 |
| Cabs | standard, extended and crew, in galvanized steel |
| Engines (2014) | MaxxForce DT 7.6-litre six of 215 hp up to the N13 12.4-litre six of 475 hp |
| Gearboxes | Eaton/Fuller manuals from 6 to 18 speeds, a self-shifting manual and three Allison automatics |
| New Zealand | right-hand-drive assembly from 2013 to 2017 |
| Replaced by | International HV from 2018 |
Based on one source (English Wikipedia).
History of the International WorkStar
A new name for the 7400 and 7600
The WorkStar succeeded the International 7400 and 7600 series. From 2008 the “thousand series” name was dropped in favour of WorkStar, a change reflected in a new hood and grille and in a wider choice of MaxxForce engines. The truck was commonly custom-built and came in many layouts: every model was available as a 4×2, the 7300 to 7500 had all-wheel-drive 4×4 versions, the 7400 and 7600 could be ordered with 6×4 or 6×6 tandems, and the 7600 even had an unusual 8×6 tridem layout with three driven axles. Most models could have a set-forward or a set-back front axle.
Built for equipment
The electrical system was unusually complex for a truck, controlling the engine and monitoring the chassis, and factory-installed controls could operate power take-offs, body equipment, snowploughs and auxiliary lighting. Cabs were made of galvanised steel in standard, extended and crew types, with a heated windshield, heated mirrors, air conditioning and many interior options. In 2014 four diesels were offered, from the MaxxForce DT, a 7.6-litre inline-six of 215 horsepower, to the N13, a 12.4-litre six of up to 475 horsepower. Eaton/Fuller supplied manual gearboxes from 6 to 18 speeds plus a self-shifting manual, and Allison offered three automatics.
What it was used for
The WorkStar’s main job was as a heavy 6×4 dump truck of around 50,000 lb gross vehicle weight, and with all the options it could serve as a concrete mixer or a tractor for dump and lowboy trailers. In rural parts of the United States, especially in state and national parks, it carried water and equipment into remote areas for firefighting, helped by its crew cab and driven front axle. Railway maintenance used chassis prepared for road-rail pilot wheels and racks above the cab for carrying rail sections. Road departments used it for snowploughs and salt spreaders, with factory wiring and heated glass, and utilities mounted outriggers and long booms on its frame. For the New Zealand market the WorkStar was assembled locally in right-hand drive from 2013 to 2017 in two versions, the 7400 with a visibility hood and the 7600 with a MaxxForce 13-litre engine. Midwest Automotive Designs of Elkhart, Indiana, also converted WorkStars into luxury pickups and SUVs for private buyers. The line was replaced by the International HV from 2018.
Design and features
- Severe-duty chassis: a heavy frame that took outriggers, booms, ploughs and rail gear.
- Many layouts: 4×2, 4×4, 6×4, 6×6 and an 8×6 tridem on the 7600.
- Factory electrics: controls for power take-offs, body equipment and snowplough lighting were built in.
- Big engines: from the 7.6-litre MaxxForce DT to the 475 hp N13.
- Three cab sizes: standard, extended and crew, all in galvanised steel.
International WorkStar versions
- 7300, 7400 and 7500: the lighter models, with 4×4 available.
- 7600: the heaviest, with 6×4, 6×6 and 8×6 tridem layouts.
- WorkStar 7400 (New Zealand): right-hand-drive version with a visibility hood.
- WorkStar 7600 (New Zealand): right-hand-drive version with a MaxxForce 13-litre engine.
- Midwest conversions: aftermarket WorkStar pickup and SUV for private buyers.
The WorkStar was the severe-service stablemate of the DuraStar and shared the vocational role of the Paystar. More trucks are in the International collection.
Sources
- International WorkStar, English Wikipedia: models, engines, applications
