3200 Napco 1/2 ton Conversion

[bajabob]

Lots going on, will try to post up some pics later today. Not sure on the color yet ?? A little torn on this subject as it has to be right from the get go. Not very creative when it comes to colors, but I know it when I see it on someone elses ride. Any suggestions ??? I am trying to stay with the orignal look/work truck/idea.

Couple of questions:
Has anyone here used the Poly Ride material between the leaf springs ??? Mine are completely disassembled after they were powder coated. I would like to try and protect the finish ???
Second, is a hydroboost brake upgrade possible with stock drum brakes ???

Thanks

[bajabob]

Ok the second part was a dumb question, as I soon found several kits for a booster set up even for the drum/drum that I have. I would rather go with disc but I do not think I can change out the drums on the Napco axles.

[bajabob]

Here's the latest. I love powder coating !!!!

The old and then the new !!!

[bajabob]

Here's whats going on at the body shop, would be further along if the patch panels would show up. More blasting this weekend on bed parts and hopefully some new parts in the mail next week ??? Now I just need to nail down a color....

[bajabob]

Update:
Things were moving along nicely and I was amazed by the progress things were getting done....... Then, what appeared to be a great cab to build from has set me back some.
I knew about and planned for the usual suspects, cab corners and steps, but when I decided to replace the outer cowling panel, what I found was somewhat disappointing. On top of that my body guy chopped up my door before he discovered that the lower door patch panel did not match up to the stock door....... I know, I know..... wha wha wha.... I have seen much worse cabs here... I just thought I dodged the bullit..... Nice try...

I did pickup some additional parts this weekend and I hope to get back on track with this....

[1956cameo]

Cool build! Looking forward to seeing more progress.

[bajabob]

Not a lot to update on, but its like baby steps.... a piece here and a piece there. The hood, firewall and cab top are ready to go, just need to get the rest of the stuff done. More parts came in for the suspension and hopefully I can get more done this next week.

['58Patch]

For your suspension parts, did you re-use the springs and other hardware? If you did, are those painted or powder coated?
If you didn't reuse the old bits where did you buy replacement parts from?

[Walts_restoration]

looking good.

[Davetopay]

Love me some NAPCO!

[Dieselwrencher]

Great build! I also think you made the right choice going with a NAPCO build! They are pretty sweet to say the least. How did your cab turn out?

[bajabob]

58patch
I reused the leaf springs that came with the axles and hardware. They looked like they were in good condition (no rust to speak of) and I took everything to a shop down south (www.deaverspring.com). The springs tend to zag after 40-50 years of holding stuff up, but mine have been on a pallet for maybe the last 10-15 years.

The guys at Deaver have all the specs on the Napco stuff and they checked my leafs out. They suggested I add a leaf if mine could not be returned to specs, but the addition was not needed. It sounded like they could build me a new set if I wanted one. They went through my hardware and replaced bushings and old worn out u bolts with new stuff (all done at a reasonable price). I then had everything sent to a local powder coater in town who made everything look pretty.

Getting ready to put it all back together with new shackle bolts and grease fittings. I will post up some pics this weekend.

[bajabob]

DW
Thanks for kind words, I started out with the idea of all new driveline, but when I found the Napco web site everything sort of went sideways. I totally dig that old truck skinny tire look.... but I have to admit that I am already secretly trying to figure out where to hide the big window cab I was looking at the other day, which would make a sweet slammed weekend ride.... did I mention you guys are a bad influence on me and I take no responsibility for my actions !!!!

The cab is coming along, minor setbacks with the whole rust in the cowling but I should be able to move forward on it this weekend. It already looks like somebody else's cab and not the one I dropped off at the shop 2 months ago.
bb

[Dieselwrencher]

I'm glad to hear they are able to save your cab. I know those set backs make the whole project hard to look at some times.

['58Patch]

Originally Posted by bajabob

58patch
I reused the leaf springs that came with the axles and hardware. They looked like they were in good condition (no rust to speak of) and I took everything to a shop down south (www.deaverspring.com). The springs tend to zag after 40-50 years of holding stuff up, but mine have been on a pallet for maybe the last 10-15 years.

The guys at Deaver have all the specs on the Napco stuff and they checked my leafs out. They suggested I add a leaf if mine could not be returned to specs, but the addition was not needed. It sounded like they could build me a new set if I wanted one. They went through my hardware and replaced bushings and old worn out u bolts with new stuff (all done at a reasonable price). I then had everything sent to a local powder coater in town who made everything look pretty.

Getting ready to put it all back together with new shackle bolts and grease fittings. I will post up some pics this weekend.

Thanks for that. So how well will the powdercoating handle the flexing of the leafsprings?

[bajabob]

58
I talked to the guys at Deaver before I had the springs coated and they did not have a problem with it. I have no personal experience with it myself. I am using the poly ride in between the leafs in an attempt to keep them from scuffing each other and later rusting ??? The guys at Deaver said the poly ride was not necessary but I have talked to some here who used it and like it, so I will try it out and see. It was not that expensive and I already had them all apart.

[bajabob]

Diesel
Its amazing how something so small (in the big sceam of things) can set back the entire project. I now understand why some builders get to a point and just walk away from it. I gave it a few days and now I am attacking it from another angle. I guess I was just looking for a little cheese and crackers to go with the whine.......

[Dieselwrencher]

Atleast you got through it. Keep up the good work! It is looking very nice. I'm sure before the build is done, you will encounter another brick wall. Atleast that is my luck.

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by bajabob

DW
I totally dig that old truck skinny tire look....
bb

Yeah, me too!! Springs are looking good.

[bajabob]

Havent posted up in a while, sort of sidelined with a small kitchen rebuild (kinda of like a truck rebuild !!!) Tore the whole thing apart Fouth of July weekend and it is now starting to go back together.....

Snuck down to the paint shop to see what was going on with the cab and fenders and do a little work on the rusted cowling area. Used POR15 on the rusted areas after alittle wire brush action.
I need to get the frame rolling as the painter wants to start fitting panels soon !!!!! Yikes that means get busy....

Hope to have the axles mounted up soon.

Almost forgot about the motor that found its way home recently. Its a 1966 327 (with the right heads). It doesnt look like much now but she should fit right in nicely.

[msgross]

nice build...

do you want to keep this in the 47-59 area or can I move it to the 4x4 build area?

[bajabob]

ms
here is fine I kinda of like the neighborhood

I was curious how to get a build thred ??

[bajabob]

Almost have the kitchen done so I have been able to spend a little time on the truck. Put all the leaf springs and hardware together.

Still working on getting the axles cleaned up and prepped for paint. Going to try POR 15 to see how good this stuff is.
Ordered up new hinge pins for the doors and got started on cleaning up the old ones. I am hoping the rebuild of the hinge is the better route than trashing them and going with repo stuff ????

Looking around for someone to rebuild hood hinges. I have a request into www.hoodhingerepair.com for a price on the rebuild. Has anyone here used them ???

[OrrieG]

Door hinge pin replacement is easy, trick is to cut the old pin instead of trying to drive it all the way out.

[hotrod1]

Hey Bob:

Nice talking to you today.

Great build. You have really done a lot of heavy work. Keep it up.