NAPCO Thread

[doo142]

My entry

[c Terris]

Thanks guys, HO thats exactly what I was looking for. Truck is deffinately getting lifted. Weather or not there will be 4wd put in is still up for discussion. You said the rear bolted in do you happen to know if the axle was 60 "?
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[HO455]

Originally Posted by c Terris

Thanks guys, HO thats exactly what I was looking for. Truck is deffinately getting lifted. Weather or not there will be 4wd put in is still up for discussion. You said the rear bolted in do you happen to know if the axle was 60 "?
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Dhoo! I just realized you asked if it was 60 inches not if it was a Dana 60. From where to where do you want it measured from?

[c Terris]

Between drum or disc and brake flange to the otherside. So from o.d. Of brake flange. I originally did say dana 60 it just happens I need a 60" axle too
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[bajabob]

c Terris
I would ask what is your plan for the truck?? The Napco stuff is well built but old technology and can be a PIA to find parts for if you start tearing stuff up. If you want to build an ol skool 4x4 and maybe do some light 4x4 stuff then rock on. If you plan to do some serious boggin or trail running, find some late model running gear and run that. You will most likely have to fab some stuff up but there are lots of guys who have done it and it should be easy to find what your looking for.
bb

[JPBrecheisen]

Originally Posted by bajabob

c Terris
I would ask what is your plan for the truck?? The Napco stuff is well built but old technology and can be a PIA to find parts for if you start tearing stuff up. If you want to build an ol skool 4x4 and maybe do some light 4x4 stuff then rock on. If you plan to do some serious boggin or trail running, find some late model running gear and run that. You will most likely have to fab some stuff up but there are lots of guys who have done it and it should be easy to find what your looking for.
bb

Keep serviceable and drive. Tracking the parts difficulties, especially for '57 regarding Studebaker brakes on front axle. Vintage power wagons used a lot of same parts so they're a decent source for knuckle bushings, seals, etc.

I like old trucks as they were. No Mudd truck futures for any of my projects

[HO455]

A couple 3 Napcos for sale on C/L
http://seattle.craigslist.org/skc/cto/5826120981.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/sno/cto/5797418588.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/5841277618.html

[c Terris]

Hey,
Really just want to drive it on the street with that tall look. Don't want to just throw a lift kit on the 2wd setup. I'de like to go on some moderate trails (no body bashing trails). The problem im having is figuring which axles to use. The 59 is the sam width as a small body blazer which is 60". I would love to use a dana 60 rear and dana 44 front but they are to wide. Is there a simple way to shorten those axles or if I use a axle that is already 60" how do I know the leaf spring will line up on the axle. I've been told if they don't alighn where originally specified the weight of the car could crush the housing of the axle. Obviously people have done this conversion, just need some help.
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['63GENIII]

Originally Posted by c Terris

Hey,
Really just want to drive it on the street with that tall look. Don't want to just throw a lift kit on the 2wd setup. I'de like to go on some moderate trails (no body bashing trails). The problem im having is figuring which axles to use. The 59 is the sam width as a small body blazer which is 60". I would love to use a dana 60 rear and dana 44 front but they are to wide. Is there a simple way to shorten those axles or if I use a axle that is already 60" how do I know the leaf spring will line up on the axle. I've been told if they don't alighn where originally specified the weight of the car could crush the housing of the axle. Obviously people have done this conversion, just need some help.
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When I broke the kingpin off of the front axle on my 3/4 ton '57, I found that a 1985 corporate 10 bolt (3/4 ton) went right in. Short of having to redo the driveshaft, it was a bolt in deal. IIRC, the original axles were HO72s?

[HO455]

Originally Posted by c Terris

Hey,
Really just want to drive it on the street with that tall look. Don't want to just throw a lift kit on the 2wd setup. I'de like to go on some moderate trails (no body bashing trails). The problem im having is figuring which axles to use. The 59 is the sam width as a small body blazer which is 60". I would love to use a dana 60 rear and dana 44 front but they are to wide. Is there a simple way to shorten those axles or if I use a axle that is already 60" how do I know the leaf spring will line up on the axle. I've been told if they don't alighn where originally specified the weight of the car could crush the housing of the axle. Obviously people have done this conversion, just need some help.
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I have gone with the Napco look on a 52 ford I have. I also wanted to use a Dana 44 & 60. The rear was easy I got one from a mid sixties F250. And only had to bolt it in. The front had to be narrowed to get the wheels inside the wells like I wanted. The guys who did the axle were able to mix and match parts to get it narrowed enough. So I didn't have to have custom axles made. In addition they were able to get disc brakes to fit too. Although I wasn't planning on having disc's they will be nice over the long run. One observation I will offer up is that it is a lot more work to do the 44, not even counting the narrowing. The 44 is so much beefier that it makes it hard to fit shocks and drag links in. (I have the pumpkin on the drivers side). Going with the early Bronco axle gives you lots more room to work in. And it sounds like you may not need to have the heavier axles to do what you want. I am using a SM 420 gear box with a divorced 204 transfer case. These two are the shortest units and as I'm putting it all under a short wheel base I wanted as much room as possible. But I should stop now before this becomes a build thread. If you want some more info on the project I have that will be nothing like yours PM me.

[c Terris]

From there I will need a transfer case different length drive shaft and rearrange the steering mech. Can anyone reccomend a could transfer case and a good way or place to get the right size drive shaft. If anyone wants to lend some knowledge with that it will be much appreciated.
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[c Terris]

Two more questions ho455. Did you have to do any frame cutting or body chopping and also did you mean a divorced 205. The 204 didnt come up on the internet. Thanks again.
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[c Terris]

Also if anyone has any ideas for wiring harnesses I have another thread going.

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post7755549

[HO455]

Originally Posted by c Terris

Two more questions ho455. Did you have to do any frame cutting or body chopping and also did you mean a divorced 205. The 204 didnt come up on the internet. Thanks again.
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Yes you are correct it is a 205. No frames or bodies have been cut, chopped or spindled. The whole goal started out to stay as 1950 as possible. I have used the stock (F-1 1/2 ton) springs and hangers but if I can locate a set of rebuildable F-2 or 3 rear spring hangers I would swap some 3/4 ton springs in the rear. The disks were added after I thought about how often I pull a trailer. Crappy photo of the dana 60 rear as installed.

[sweetk30]

Originally Posted by HO455

Yes you are correct it is a 205. No frames or bodies have been cut, chopped or spindled. The whole goal started out to stay as 1950 as possible. I have used the stock (F-1 1/2 ton) springs and hangers but if I can locate a set of rebuildable F-2 or 3 rear spring hangers I would swap some 3/4 ton springs in the rear. The disks were added after I thought about how often I pull a trailer. Crappy photo of the dana 60 rear as installed.

not to sound like a big prick but your rear suspension has some bad stuff going on there .

double stacked blocks = bad stuff .

then the unbolted wedges with double stacked blocks = bad stuff.

try and make new or get premade blocks with angle you need and hight and swap them in place .

seen to many bad things happen with stacked blocks and those style un secured wedges you have on the bottom of the napco made lift blocks .

[c Terris]

I tried uploading these pictures before, but it didn't seem to work. So I wouldn't be surprised if you see it up here multiple times. The 59 of course sporting primer gray and Rhino line black it has a 350 out of a 70's caprice and a 4spd. Then my 69 Gmc 2500 original paint 396 with a th350 36,000 original miles. Then in the background my dads car( he's the original owner of that one) Different engine now , but originally 396 with a 4 spd, now its something bigger made by Shafiroff Racing.

[special-K]

Have you considered Jeep Wagoneer/Cherokee Chief/J10/Commando axles? They are narrower and later stuff is 6-lug

[c Terris]

I thought about it. Most of that stuff is 1/4 ton correct? I just sold a 67 cj6 that didn't run maybe a year ago wish I still had it. It had axles transfer case three speed. It would have made things easy.
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[special-K]

Originally Posted by c Terris

I thought about it. Most of that stuff is 1/4 ton correct? I just sold a 67 cj6 that didn't run maybe a year ago wish I still had it. It had axles transfer case three speed. It would have made things easy.
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No, those are mid-size 1/2 tons. Axles are wider than CJs. Earlier ones had the same 5-lug pattern as CJs, but later on they went to the GM 6-lug pattern. You just need the front axle, unless you want to change ratios or have issues with the original rear.

[c Terris]

Ok. Thanks ho455. I didnt know that about the axles. Do you know what era jeeps off hand if not I can look it up. Also boththe front spindles and the rear axles are now 5 lug on my truck. It has a disc brake conv. In the front. The rear axles has shock mounts that arent being used so im going to guess its not original. The shock mounts are bolted to the leaf spring mount. Someone im aure had a great time piecing this thing together.
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[Orig AZ Burb]

Hello Guys,
I have a general question as it pertains to the Napco trucks. I recently traded my 69 Firebird Convertible (which I had traded my 72 Burb for) for a 1956 Chevy 3100 longbed Napco. The truck runs and drives pretty good. Drives down the road nice. It has new paint but the paint job was not done well in regards to prep/finish work. It would be fine as a driver or 10-20 footer but in my opinion the truck is such a solid desert truck and the body was in such good shape it would justify being repainted.

I am at a crossroads in regards to wondering if I should keep the truck and slowly upgrade and improve it quality wise in essence restore it, or consider selling it outright.

What are your guys feelings in regards to the market and strength value wise if I did move forward with improving the truck ?

Thanks for your time, I appreciate it very much.

Attached is a picture of the truck as it sits now. (If I keep it and start working on it I would like to find the original rims and style of tires as I dont care for the ones that are on it now).

[Dannny B]

The difference between a $200 paint job and a $2,000 paint job is about 10 feet. One looks good from 12 ft. The other looks good from 2 feet. I think that it looks good.
Original rims may be very hard to find.

[Orig AZ Burb]

Originally Posted by Dannny B

The difference between a $200 paint job and a $2,000 paint job is about 10 feet. One looks good from 12 ft. The other looks good from 2 feet. I think that it looks good.
Original rims may be very hard to find.

Hi Danny,
Thanks very much for your feedback, I appreciate it. I am new to the Napco trucks so I am not even sure what time original wheels would be specs wise etc, I have only seen what is in photos and I like the tall and thin loom of the wheel and tire combo
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[Dannny B]

There is a guy who bought a '50s suburban that he wanted to show. It had old tires, I believe 17 inch. He bought another NAPCO suburban just to get a good looking set of tires for his truck.

[MJN]

Originally Posted by Orig AZ Burb

Hi Danny,
Thanks very much for your feedback, I appreciate it. I am new to the Napco trucks so I am not even sure what time original wheels would be specs wise etc, I have only seen what is in photos and I like the tall and thin loom of the wheel and tire combo
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You've got a nice truck there, hope mine looks that good one day. The Vehicle Info Kit from GM, at this link, has the detail on what wheels would've come factory for your truck. 1957 was the first year for factory installed 4x4 setups in Chevy pickups. 6-bolt wheels will be easier to find. Mine is a 3/4 ton and I searched for years for the 19.5"x 5.25" wheels and finally found them. https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...olet-Truck.pdf

Coker Tire also has a nice selection of period correct truck tires in the more common sizes too. https://www.cokertire.com/tires/styl...and-truck.html