Need Info on Rebuilding a 1955 NAPCO Front Axle

[Tance]

I have a 1955 NAPCO 4x4 truck I’m restoring, and I was wondering if anyone out there has rebuilt their front axles?

I can get a new ring and pinion, but what I can’t locate is the other gears (spider, etc). I took the axle to an experienced differential shop, and they think the NAPCO front axle was basically a rear differential (from the same year) that was put in to a front axle housing… makes sense, especially in 1955 to keep them the same. Anyone know for sure if the rear differential from a 55-57 differential will work in the NAPCO front axle? (I can’t verify it myself because my rear axle isn’t original).

Any ideas where I can get spider gears, bushings, etc?

Thanks in advance for your responses, I appreciate the help.

[pumpkin]

The best I've been able to find out, is that it is an eaton rear diff in the front. I want one. It would be stronger than a dana 60 front I'm pretty shure.

[Blazer1970]

Originally Posted by pumpkin

The best I've been able to find out, is that it is an eaton rear diff in the front. I want one. It would be stronger than a dana 60 front I'm pretty shure.

None of them are actually "Eatons". The Napco axles were made from the early corporate axles. They are the smaller (half ton) version that was used in the rear of cars and trucks prior to the introduction of the 12 bolt. I believe they were known as HO33, where the bigger versions that carried on until 1972 were the HO52, HO72 and bigger.

[special-K]

What series truck is yours?I had one that was a 1t,but quite a few years back.I located n.o.s. Napco parts back then,but wundered if they were the same as the HO52 which is the "Corporate" which is an "Eaton".The HO72 is the same as the 52 except the brakes are heavier.