Found a 1959 GMC 4X4 NAPCO any info out there.

[oldfarmboy64]

I have been on the lookout for parts or a good parts truck as I would like to find a rear bumper and some better doors and a few other things for my 58 Apache. I had been eyeballing a truck for a while and yesterday I finally stopped to check it out. From the road it looked like a 58-59 GMC stuck on a later model 4X4 chassis but when I stated looking at it I noticed it said NAPCO on the front differential. I am not sure what all had been done to the truck or if the frame is original. There has been a bunch of stuff added to the suspension like locator arms to the rear differential, big blocks to raise the truck and a pile of leaf springs. It is a ¾ ton long bed step side. It looks like the axles , transmission and transfer case are NAPCO pieces from what I can tell from pictures I have seen on the internet. It has no title and does not run. He wants 2000.00 for it and I have no idea the value of the conversion or how to tell what parts are original. If anyone can point me in the right direction for information on the NAPCO conversion please let me know. I did find a NAPCO owners web site but you can’t really go in a look around without paying 25.00 to register.

[OrrieG]

Google NAPCO, a whole website dedicated to napco trucks will pop up. In the 4x4 section on this site there is a long thread dedicated to napco too.

[oldfarmboy64]

Originally Posted by OrrieG

Google NAPCO, a whole website dedicated to napco trucks will pop up. In the 4x4 section on this site there is a long thread dedicated to napco too.

I think the site your are talking about is the one they ask 25.00 to register at. I have been scouring the web looking for info. I have searched this site as well and am finding some good info thanks Steve

[bajabob]

check out the stovebolt.com they have a bunch of stuff on Napco, but pretty much they were stock 2wheel drive trucks that were "upfitted" by the dealer with a "4wheel drive kit". It was set up so that you could remove it easily and swap it onto your next new truck.. Companies are starting to make more of the stuff specific to the drivetrain but the body stuff is stock stuff.

One way you can tell if it is a factory install is if the brackets for the shift linkage are bolted in (upfitted kit installed at the dealer) or riveted in (factory installed)... Either way they are cool and not many around... Some are bringing big money when redone correctly ?? Mine will be just a surfboard hauler, nuthin special...

post up some pics if you get a chance, lots of cool cats around here to help with just about anything you want to do to it...

[tmoble]

First, talk to your state DMV about the process of titling a truck that has no title. Some states are not bad, some are horrible.

Does he know why it doesn't run? dead battery is one thing, bad main bearing are another altogether.

[oldfarmboy64]

I live in WI and its a real pain to get a car registered if you don't have a title. The guy that has it bought it in MO out of a field with no title. He has never tried to get it to run. If I buy it ...it will be a parts truck its just that the price is too high unless the NAPCO stuff if worth a lot. I need to take a better look at it to see whats there for parts. He did say he would be willing to just take the body and sell me the running gear so that might be the way to go but I don't think he will ever get around to taking it apart. I think I will stop by look it over again and make an offer WELL below 2K and see what happens. I just hope to find someone that knows about the NAPCO stuff that can give me some idea of value and what to look for. Steve

[oldfarmboy64]

I have been brewing up a plan that maybe crazy. I have a 1958 short box feetside truck that I bought as a project last week. How cool would it be to put the 8 lug NAPCO kit under it and bolt my Mattracks on it that I have on my jeep right now.
Here are some pictures

[sgtusmc]

I'd be willing to bet you'd have the first and only set up like this. I'd love to see it done!

[tmoble]

have you considered getting professional help?

[dicer]

I like the idea, finally some ground clearance on an old truck.

[oldfarmboy64]

Well I will stop an see if i can pick up the Napco set up for a fair price and go from there. I know my kid would be all for it the wife not so much.

[bajabob]

The value of the Napco stuff is all over the map.... They guy I got mine from said he paid 4000.00 a bunch of years ago and I know he bought it with the indent of flipping it for big money.. I did not pay 4g's for my stuff but I am pretty sure I could have gotten a better deal if I would have waited. My stuff was in good shape, pretty much complete and I was tired of searching. Of course, since then I have seen entire drivelines for cheap but I would say that he is in the ball park, price wise if it is in reasonable condition.

As far as the mattrax, I think it would be sweeeeet... I think NAPCO built some tractors or at least the drivelines for them.... I like the ol school skinny tire look myself, and the fact that there are not many around is cool too.

[oldfarmboy64]

I have been looking around some and if I wait I think I can find a better deal. I see one for 900.00 that runs and has a title on C list but its too far away. The guy has my number so he can contact me when he is ready to let it go. I am going to keep on the look out for one and see what happens.
Anyone close to this one that would be willing to check it out for me?
http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/an...469182951.html