56 chevy napco project

[low67chevy]

Sold my fullsize blazer on 42s about 2 yrs ago now and Ive always wanted to do a long term build. So ive managed to pick up a rare 56 chevy apache napco conversion with no engine, and will be modifying it for mainly snow wheeling and some trail.

Now this project is slated for 5+ years of building as money permits and is still in the budget phase which is the WORST part!

Here are some specs on what I would like to build the truck with.

Eaton 4x4 axles out and in place dana 60 front and 14 bolt ff rear

Dana 60 = 5.13,ARB,Chromo Shafts, 35 spline outters, truss , reid racing knuckles.

14 bolt = 5.13, Detroit, Chromo 40 spline shafts prefer lol, truss, discs

Triangulated 4 Link Front and Rear with Johnny Joints and 1.75" DOM Links

Th400/dana 300 or Atlas II if money/wife permits lol..

502 ram jet GM Performance Engine

15x14 32 bolt allied rockathon beadlocks with 42-46" Rubber

2.0 14" travel Coilovers havent decided on brand just yet

I will get some pics of it soon so the day dreaming can begin!

[PJF]

This sounds like a rad build, looking forward to some pics.

[low67chevy]

here some starter pics boys

[PJF]

Sweet!

[MyDream55]

That's sweet.. but the badges on the truck show to be a '55.. you sure it's a 56??

Or maybe that's what the napco is? I'm not familiar with that.. guess I will look it up now

[low67chevy]

yup positive its a 56 the vin also tells the tale of it being a 56 as well

[low67chevy]

well boys back to the top, new pics will be arriving soon just a quick update, I have been sourcing parts slowly and have picked up my nv4500 and my dana 300 tcase and my d60 front and 14 bolt rear should be on the way here soon.

[buggy5872]

If it is a true "NAPCO" conversion on the truck, be sure to keep all of it together and sell it. Complete NAPCO Kits bring 1000 to 1500 bucks. Kit would include:
Front end, front springs, all 3 drive shafts, transfer case with mounts and frame plates, shifter with frame bracket and rear lift blocks.
Sounds like you will not be using any of it so it could be a good source of funds for the rest of the project.

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

If it is a true "NAPCO" conversion on the truck, be sure to keep all of it together and sell it. Complete NAPCO Kits bring 1000 to 1500 bucks. Kit would include:
Front end, front springs, all 3 drive shafts, transfer case with mounts and frame plates, shifter with frame bracket and rear lift blocks.
Sounds like you will not be using any of it so it could be a good source of funds for the rest of the project.

I agree, but the front springs were not part of the "NAPCO kit". Sell the springs separately. Or not.

Nice start.

[G&R's57GMC]

56 years after the truck rolled off the assembly line the previous owners have quite an effect on what one gets with the truck.

Like '55 Chevy hood and right fender trim, '55 front fenders and hood, "custom" front parking lights, GMC tailgate, extra rear gas tank or is that a backup light, custom rear bumper and tail lights, roof mount spot light, plastic tool box (just like the one I mounted yesterday on my trailer) and of course large tires and wheels.

Not to mention all the other "improvements" that are hiding through out the rest of the truck.

Here's some NAPCO reference pic's




Have FUN with your build and keep us posted.

[buggy5872]

I was thinking of a gm line built NAPCO on the springs.....1956 did not have any NAPCOs built at the gm plants.....

[G&R's57GMC]

Originally Posted by buggy5872

I was thinking of a gm line built NAPCO on the springs.....1956 did not have any NAPCOs built at the gm plants.....

Yep, you are correct sir. Pre '57 dealer kit only.

'57-9 could be ordered from the factory OR dealer installed as a kit.

My '57 was factory installed.

[low67chevy]

haha ya the things people do to molest a truck like this is crazy and it is all original napco suspension with the front axle stamped with napco on it but ive already got the dana 23 and diffs spoken for so its perfect i dont have to hang onto them for long and a guy that is restoring one can make his into an acutal napco conversion. Gotta love helping out other people out there building these beauties.

[waybad]

post all picts.. sweet!!

[dubds10]

Looks like a great project. I just sold all my '55 trucks/parts and now I'm down to one project and that's a '64 Caddy. If you don't mind me asking, how much was your truck? It looks complete and fairly rust free from the pics. Great base to start with.

Nate

[bajabob]

Nice start to a sweet build up. Your in the right place as there is a ton of experts here to help out...
bb

[azsnow]

I find it very odd that it has a complete '55 front clip, yet is a '56? Cool truck, but very odd. Now if it had a 55 hood and one fender...maybe, but entire front clip on a year difference truck? BTW, it needs more lift!

[low67chevy]

Originally Posted by dubds10

Looks like a great project. I just sold all my '55 trucks/parts and now I'm down to one project and that's a '64 Caddy. If you don't mind me asking, how much was your truck? It looks complete and fairly rust free from the pics. Great base to start with.

Nate

Nate, i was able to score her for 2500$ without and motor which i didnt need anyways the body is in alright shape needs work for sure but def better start then some other projects ive had over the years!

as for the 55 front end not quite sure why but possibly the only 56 front end was rotted out and maybe swapped?

and the lift will be coming soon enough haha gotta save some $$$ first and buy some parts

[dubds10]

From the pics it looks like you got a great deal for up here. Not many of these trucks around, and not many 4x4s around if all original. Like previously said, make sure if it's all NAPCO related stuff keep it together and sell as a package to a restorer/collector. It's rare stuff.

Nate

[OrrieG]

over 50 plus years its feasible that it got hit in the front or someone just liked the 55 look. Friend had a 59 with a 57 front clip.

[low67chevy]

well boys i finally got around to working a little on the truck today, basically vac'd the inside of the cab, removed the dash cluster assembly and cut out all the hack job of wiring in the engine bay and some in the cab.

The poor truck has just been jimmy rigged with so many wires and butt connectors and splices im surprised it ever ran... i will be putting a new 12volt ez-wiring kit into it heres some pics of her nothing crazy.

You will all notice the hack job on the firewall and dash board so disappointing what people will do to such a vehicle, i will be repairing all the holes in dash and firewall. And the patch job with checker plate on the rocker panels and step sills will be re done as well... what a gong show haha but I knew this was needing to be done anyways.

[low67chevy]

and the steering shaft and column are a total joke so flaming river column and boregson joints here we come!

[old yelr]

The shop where you have your truck in the first few pictures, looks like your just off of Harvey. Are you near the airport or the other way toward Orchard Park mall? Just wondering, I miss Kelowna
Truck is going to be sweet!! Keep up the pictures.

[bajabob]

I am no expert but your dash looks like it is a GMC cab. Most chevy cabs have the v for the instrument cluster. Not a big deal as lots of guys here have grafted in some sweet looking dashes from other trucks. Pretty common for guys to chuck the GMC front end and replace with a chevy. To each their own, not many GMC's around (that I have seen) just that the chevy front end seemed to be more popular ???? Still dont see much to be concerned about. Almost all of the sheet metal patch panels can be had. Replaced both steps on my cab.
Just my opinion but there are not many Napco trucks running around... Something kinda of different. I thought about putting late model running gear under mine with discs and all but ultimately decided to go old school sort of....

[low67chevy]

nope out in rutland area the first couple pictures were the shop of the guy i bought it from out in okanagan falls

yah shes gonna be a beauty when im done for sure :P