What year did they start 4x4's? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Jeremy_5 · 02-11-2005, 05:41 PM

What year did chevy actually start making four wheel drives from the factory?
I know before that they had Napco 4x4's when did that start? late fifties?

Jeremy_5 · 02-11-2005, 05:50 PM

I found some interesting info

http://my.execpc.com/~jfox/napcohistory.html

**JIMs70GMC** · 02-11-2005, 08:34 PM

1960?

James670X · 02-12-2005, 12:33 AM

Well Chevrolet did make CMP (Canadian Military Pattern) vehicles for WWII, they were considered to be 3/4ton 4x4s, however if you're talking about civilian trucks JIMs70GMC is right according to the Napco website 1960 was the first year that GM supposedly offered a factory 4x4, however 1ton 4x4s were not produced by GM until 1977.
Here's a couple of links:
www.napco4x4.org
www.oldcmp.net
www.imbris.net/~conrad/trucks.html
Edit: Btw Napco is now a part of the Dana Corporation.

ljbear · 02-13-2005, 12:03 AM

GMC offered a line built 4x4 in 1956 using NAPCO conversions, Chevy did line built NAPCO's in 1957. If you find an early truck the line built brackets are riveted to the chassis, the aftermarket installs are all bolted.

Jeremy_5 · 02-13-2005, 12:06 AM

good info ljbear, I will keep my eye out for that while I am searching for a 50's 4x4.

02-11-2005, 05:41 PM	#1
Jeremy_5 Truck addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lincoln, California Posts: 497	What year did they start 4x4's? What year did chevy actually start making four wheel drives from the factory? I know before that they had Napco 4x4's when did that start? late fifties? __________________ 1956 Chevy Napco 1972 Cheyenne Super 1970 K20

02-11-2005, 05:50 PM	#2
Jeremy_5 Truck addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lincoln, California Posts: 497	I found some interesting info http://my.execpc.com/~jfox/napcohistory.html __________________ 1956 Chevy Napco 1972 Cheyenne Super 1970 K20 Last edited by Jeremy_5; 02-11-2005 at 05:53 PM. Reason: link wasn't working

02-11-2005, 08:34 PM	#3
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	1960? __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

02-12-2005, 12:33 AM	#4
James670X Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 34	Well Chevrolet did make CMP (Canadian Military Pattern) vehicles for WWII, they were considered to be 3/4ton 4x4s, however if you're talking about civilian trucks JIMs70GMC is right according to the Napco website 1960 was the first year that GM supposedly offered a factory 4x4, however 1ton 4x4s were not produced by GM until 1977. Here's a couple of links: www.napco4x4.org www.oldcmp.net www.imbris.net/~conrad/trucks.html Edit: Btw Napco is now a part of the Dana Corporation. Last edited by James670X; 02-12-2005 at 01:12 AM.

02-13-2005, 12:03 AM	#5
ljbear Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Emmett, Idaho Posts: 858	GMC offered a line built 4x4 in 1956 using NAPCO conversions, Chevy did line built NAPCO's in 1957. If you find an early truck the line built brackets are riveted to the chassis, the aftermarket installs are all bolted. __________________ Larry 72 Chevy SWB 4x4 71 Chevy SWB 4x4 My Work Truck "Don't confuse enthusiasm with capability"

02-13-2005, 12:06 AM	#6
Jeremy_5 Truck addict Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Lincoln, California Posts: 497	good info ljbear, I will keep my eye out for that while I am searching for a 50's 4x4. __________________ 1956 Chevy Napco 1972 Cheyenne Super 1970 K20



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