Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

International XT

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Manufacturer
  
Navistar International

Assembly
  
Garland, Texas

Production
  
2004–2008

Class
  
Large pickup truck

International XT

Body style
  
2-door extended cab (CXT) 4-door crew cab (CXT, RXT, MXT)

Layout
  
RXT: rear-wheel drive CXT, MXT: All-wheel drive

The International Extreme Truck Series (often identified by the acronym XT) is a range of pickup trucks produced by Navistar International from 2004 to 2008. Two vehicles were based on the International medium-duty truck range, while another was derived from a military tactical vehicle produced by Navistar. All of the XT-Series trucks were produced in Garland, Texas.

Contents

The first vehicle marketed by International to consumers since the discontinuation of the Scout in 1980, the XT trucks marked the return of International to pickup truck production since the discontinuation of the 100-series pickups in 1975.

In response to lower than expected sales, Navistar discontinued production of the XT-Series in 2008.

CXT (Commercial Extreme Truck)

The CXT/Commercial Extreme Truck was introduced in September 2004. Based on the International 7300 chassis (now known as the Workstar), it was available in a two-door extended cab or four-door crew-cab bodystyle. All CXTs were equipped with permanent four-wheel drive with a Meritor MTC 4208 two-speed transfer case. To convert the chassis to a pickup truck, Navistar purchased pickup beds from Ford Motor Company; the CXT used the bed of the dual-rear wheel F-350 Super Duty. As an option, the CXT is equipped with a hydraulic bed lift.

In contrast to a standard medium-duty International truck geared towards vocational customers, the CXT featured a number of luxury options. Materials for seats and other upholstery items included leather and ostrich skin. For the rear-seat passengers, options also included a DVD player and satellite radio.

For the powertrain, International equipped the CXT with a 220 hp version of its 7.6L DT 466 inline-6 diesel engine and a 5-speed Allison 2500HD automatic transmission. In 2005, International offered the DT530 with up to 300hp as an additional engine option. The CXT has a towing capacity of 20 tons. As with other 7300 models, the CXT included air brakes.

At its introduction, the CXT was the largest production pickup truck sold in North America (as of 2015, it still is). Although not the longest, it was the tallest (at 108 inches to the top of the cab) and the heaviest. At a curb weight of 14,500 lb (6,600 kg) , a CXT weighs nearly twice as much as a Hummer H1 and nearly triple as much a 2004 Ford F-150. Its GVWR is 25,999 lb (11,793 kg) was carefully chosen; if it was two pounds higher, a CXT could not be driven without a commercial driver's license.

RXT (Recreational Extreme Truck)

The RXT/Recreational Extreme Truck was introduced in 2005 at the Chicago Auto Show. Based on the International 4400 chassis, (now known as the Durastar), it is a four-door crew-cab pickup. Sitting one foot lower than the CXT, the RXT is available in a rear-wheel drive configuration; it also uses the Ford F-350 pickup bed. At 272 inches long, the RXT is the longest member of the XT range.

The RXT primarily differs from the CXT in its powertrain and its brakes. It used a 230 hp 6.0L VT365 V8; this was the 6.0L Ford Powerstroke V8; it used a 5-speed Allison 2200 Series 5-speed Automatic Transmission. Instead of air brakes, the RXT uses 4-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. The GVWR of the RXT is 20,500 lb (9,300 kg).

The RXT was targeted at equestrian and boat owners. Models further into production offered a shorter height pickup bed to accommodate gooseneck trailers such as RVs and horse transportation.

Project XT

Like many vehicle manufacturers, International created a luxury concept of the XT line similar to the RXT. It featured dual skylights, more aerodynamic body molding with air intakes in front of the rear wheels and stylish molded steps on both sides to match, a high-mounted spoiler behind the cab, and fog lights. The interior offered many different upholstery materials along with mood lighting, a DVD player, multiple viewing screens, and a mini refrigerator. The engine was a 300 hp version of the RXT's. Project XT never made it to the production line.

MXT (Military/Most eXtreme Truck)

The MXT (known as both the Military and Most Extreme Truck) debuted as a concept vehicle at the 2005 Chicago Auto Show alongside the production version of the RXT. In 2006, a pre-production prototype was shown, entering production as a 2007 model. The purpose-built chassis is a version of International MXT-MV tactical vehicle equipped for civilian use.

Although much larger, the MXT is similar in concept to the 4-door pickup versions of the Hummer H1. The all-wheel drive chassis sits 17 inches lower to the ground than on the CXT. Although the crew cab is shared with other XT trucks, the MXT uses headlights from the 9000-Series trucks on modified fenders. Due to its intended off-highway use, the MXT is equipped with four wheels instead of six; the narrower rear pickup bed is a custom-built design for Navistar instead of the Ford-sourced unit.

The MXT is powered by a 300 hp version of the VT365 V8 and equipped with a 5-speed Allison 2000 transmission. The GVWR ranged from 14,000 to 18,000 lbs. Along with the standard version of the MXT, Navistar introduced a special-edition MXT Limited, featuring monochromatic exterior trim and luxury interior trim.

The consumer version of the MXT is manufactured by Midwest Automotive Designs, a manufacturer based in Elkhart in Indiana that produces conversions of class 5 and 6 commercial trucks conversions as luxury consumer vehicles. The company makes several pickup truck models of the MXT, including the International MXT, MXT Limited, and MXT Hauler.

Marketing

At the launch, Navistar expected business owners to account for most sales, marketing the vehicle as a dual-purpose vehicle as both a working and promotional vehicle. Shortly after its launch, the XT trucks also became attractive to celebrities. Notable owners include Ashton Kutcher, Russell J. Young, Red Bull, Viktor Yanukovych, and basketball stars Shaquille O'Neal and Roy Jones, Jr., while Nick Lachey and Jay Leno are said to have taken test drives.

References

International XT Wikipedia