3200 Napco 1/2 ton Conversion

[bajabob]

Tired of lurkin around here and was talked into posting up some photos of my project. Lots of talented people here and thanks for keeping it going.

This is my 1956 3200 Napco "upfit". My dad is to blame for this addiction and this was his truck that he drug around hopin to finish one day. My plan is to complete what he was not able to. My son is a big part of this project and is now into old trucks as well.

My initial plan was to keep the classic looks but to update the drive train with all modern stuff. After I stumbled onto the "NAPCO" stuff, my plan kinda of went sideways.

I scored a complete set of Napco axles, transfer case, leaf springs, drive shafts, pretty much everything I need to "upfit" my two wheel drive truck to four wheel drive, just like they would have done back in 56'.

I have traded the I6 for a 283 that will go ol skool style similar to what a guy back then might have done.

I dig the custom stuff most guys are doing here and hope you all don't mind something a little more conservative.
thanks
bb

[63 & 64 Bowties]

Welcome to the forum BB. Looks like a neat project and ya got all the pieces there.

[JML55]

Welcome, i'll be watching, i think you have a cool project.

[OrrieG]

Hey, I appreciate that you are keeping it stock. If I had it to do over I would have looked harder for a NAPCO set up when I did my conversion in the 80's. But there was no internet then and I modeled mine after a couple of mid 70's running gear conversions I saw around here. 283 is my favorite engine, you can make them scream with a little work. This will be one I am watching.

[bajabob]

Orrieg
Your build was one of the first I went through when I started hanging around here. Very nice truck. Mine will not be a serious 4x4, as in taking it out and breakin stuff, but I wouldn't mind doing some jeep trails in the area.

After I fitted everything up, its tear down time, sand blasting and off to get powder coated.

[Kabwe]

Looking great, I'm glad you decided to share pics.

[OrrieG]

Looking at the frame I never realized how long the front driveline was on those.

[bajabob]

Orrieg
The 3/4 tons are even longer, I guessing because the crossmember is set back further in the frame.

How's your build coming along ???

It stopped raining finally so I am on way outside to get some stuff done.

[OrrieG]

[QUOTE=bajabob;3786120]Orrieg
How's your build coming along ???
QUOTE]

Stalled, still to cold to fiberglas or paint. I have also downsized and moved my office and work has picked up so I have been working 7 days a week to try and get back ahead financially and unpacking. I think it might get busy enough that I can start hiring instead of 18 months of layoffs. It was hard I went from 11 to just my self from mid 08 to 11/09. I have been cleaning, buffing and planning so when I do get back to it I am just unpacking and assembling. When it get warmer I am going to get the cab interior painted so I can get it back on the frame and start assembling the interior stuff.

[Kim57]

There's nothing wrong with stock. Just keep the pics coming.
Kim

[bajabob]

Just a quick update on my build. She's all loaded up and on her way to the media blasting shop when I get a call from the shop with a quote !!!! Holy moly thats there some duckits !!!!

So the guy who rebuilds old tractors at the new shop suggests I try his wet blaster. He thought I should be able to get the entire truck done with 8-10 100lb bags of sand. Can use the money I saved to buy that new bed I was looking at.

Anyone here have feedback on the wet blasting ???

thanks
bb

[OrrieG]

I know nothing about wet blasting but maybe the "wet" will keep the heat generation down. There have been posts about sand blasting heating and warping the flat panels.

[bajabob]

Been a little busy the past couple of weeks trying to get some things done.

Spent most of last Saturday "wet blasting" the body panels. Not sure I am a big fan of it. I took someone's advice who said it was the "sweet" way to get paint off. Might be great for frames and such but, seems like all it did was cause me more work.

[bajabob]

Not much in the way of talent here just a bunch of work, but its kinda of cool to recycle some old iron..... Pretty sure I pissed off all the neighbors with the air compressor goin non stop... oh well thats what you get for livin next to a old truck guy.... could be worse I guess ??

even got jr. to help me out alittle... very nice

[bajabob]

Ok so the only way to top dropping the sheet metal off at the paint and body shop would be to have the frame ready to be picked up???

Although the frame was done, the smaller pieces were not, maybe on Monday.... I am so stoked to pick up the frame I can barely stand it... It looked like it was brand new !!!!!

[49ZR2]

Great to see another NAPCO fan. Keep the pics coming

[OrrieG]

Good progress but I'd get some goggles on when using that wire/flapper wheel. All it takes is a mili second of bad luck and you'll be driving a white cane.

[blackdiesel]

It don't look brand new to me. it wasn't that good in 56.

[bajabob]

OrrieG
I agree with you on the eye protection as you can feel those wire pieces flying off all the time, and I try to be a good example for my number one son but if you have kids you know how much dad knows....

[Thealien]

Great build! I like it!

[chevyrestoguy]

Awesome! I love the look of a stock NAPCO. What's the color going to be?

[OrrieG]

Originally Posted by bajabob

OrrieG
I agree with you on the eye protection as you can feel those wire pieces flying off all the time, and I try to be a good example for my number one son but if you have kids you know how much dad knows....

I didn't think I needed a full face shield with my table saw until I embedded a piece of wood in my cheek right below the goggle and my eye. Yeah I know about kids and grandkids, I've got one now that decided smoking is cool at 16. I buried my mom last year after 20 years of cancer and emphysema but what do I know???

[Dan in Pasadena]

Originally Posted by bajabob

OrrieG
I agree with you on the eye protection as you can feel those wire pieces flying off all the time, and I try to be a good example for my number one son but if you have kids you know how much dad knows....

Week before last - two days off work for getting a piece of rusty metal in my cornea. I was wire wheeling a small part off my '46 and had my reading glasses on. "Aw, it'll only take a second to do this, I don't need my safety glasses". Yup, took a second ... and two days of REAL pain and a week of steroid eye drops. NEVER again.

[55dude]

did napco trucks come in deluxe cab in 55',56'? "wet blasting" is real common in structural steel industry for example stripping a bridge or barge where waterways are a concern. works great.

[OrrieG]

It could be added by the dealer (or buyer for that matter) to any model. It is feasible that someone had the Napco setup added to a custom cab.