Click on image for the lowdown. 
====
| | | Forums66 Topics128,040 Posts1,055,475 Members48,424 | | Most Online14,466
Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks  Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
| | THANKS!
For helping keep this great
old truck web site
on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down
with Ads!  Again, thanks!
| | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | I am looking to convert my 50 AD to 4 wheel drive. I need to know what is out there with 6 bolt axles that accept original rims and has axles narrow enough to fit inside the fenders. Also need recommendations for a transfer case to go behind a T-5 transmission. I plan on bolting the axles to the original leaf springs similar to the NAPCO setup. I do not care what brand it is, foreign or domestic.
Thank you,
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | The trick will be finding axles with brakes that the wheels will clear. You might need to try looking for '60-'70 drum brake axles, those might end up being a little wide. Might be worth checking into late '70s-early '80s Toyota Hilux or Land Cruiser axles. They are 6 lug closed knuckle Aisin axles (drop out 3rd member style), on some years of the Land Cruiser, the rear axle is also full float. I can't say for sure if the wheels will clear the brakes, though.
For the transfer case, if you go with a divorced setup, it will be a non issue. Alternatively, I believe Advance Adapters does offer several adapters to fit various t-cases to the T5.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 38 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Nov 2013 Posts: 38 | G'day 52 Carl, The 6 blolt axles did go on my original rims but had to Cut a bigger hole as the free wheeling hub was a to big, then welded in a turned up ring , Keep your Build posted I like to see what worked out the best, Darrin. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Thanks Bill, and Darrin, although I was secretly hoping that someone would reply to tell me "it can't be done", "what are you thinking?", and "don't you have 3 trucks in pieces already?" But I guess that is what my wife is for. (I'm not letting her know what I'm gonna do.) I'll keep you posted.
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | I did a little research and found some info about mid to late 80s jeeps with T-5 4WD transfer cases and 6 lug axles. Now I just need to find out if the front axle pumpkin will clear the narrow original leaf springs. Any Jeeple (Jeep people) out there?
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 Sir Searchalot | | Sir Searchalot Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,983 | Carl: Keep in mind , if you do this, that the location of the front axle locates the engine, unless you don't mind modifying front drive shaft. So you must mock it all up to see if engine fits firewall<>radiator, etc. I have done a 4X4 mod to a 56GMC carryall. Lotta work. The donor should have the same spring to spring width/frame width, In my case 34". I would use GM stuff.
Right is right, even if everyone is against it, and wrong is wrong, even if everyone is for it. - William Penn
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Bart, I'm not following all of what you are saying (more about me, than you). Let me try and simplify what I am trying to do. I am pretty much trying to find parts to replicate what Napco did on ADs. They removed the factory axles and installed theirs below the leaf springs rather than above (as in the stock location). And instead of a divorced transfer case (like Napco), I want a bolt on T-5 with an integral transfer case.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Barry, thank you for the reply. My idea was to mount the front axle below the springs like what Napco did. How far offset from center is the jeep cj7 axle pumpkin that came with a T-5?
Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | I was scared to open your picture. I was thinking that you passed up on an AD Napco! They are rare as hen's teeth. The Task Force ones won't work.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | You are correct, I just went back and looked at my build pics from a long time ago. Using the stuff from a 69-72 may not the be best choice for an AD, not sure yet. I will just answer Carl's Q to me. I have to remember I have only done it on a TF. I did not use a NAPCO unit and it took longer than a long week end. Axle was below springs.
In my case (TF) with using a complete set of components from a donor without modifying,
When you place the front axle in the proper place in the wheel well, then the pumpkin is connected to the Xfer, Xfer to tranny, tranny to engine. No place to adjust except front slip. In my case it located the engine.
Carl: If I knew if AD front springs were straight or angled, and what the front spring CL to spring CL dimension is, I can relate it to my experience.
Your WMS-WMS could be 62". Let me know. Bart, the springs are angled in towards the front. I will get out the tape measure and get back to you. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Barrygmc, what is involved with shortening a full size GM front axle? I am guessing removal of the axle shaft, cutting out five inches from the axle housing and welding the end back on. What needs to be done to shorten the axle shaft? Cut off five inches and re-spline it? I am not familiar with the internals of this front axle. My other question is how do I ensure that the T-5 with the attached transfer case lines up with front pumpkin? Does the front drive shaft need to line up perpendicular to the front axle?
Carl
Last edited by 52Carl; 06/13/2014 1:36 AM.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 99 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2008 Posts: 99 | When your cutting down a front 4x4 housing, the cut is equal on both sides, outside of the spring perches. Pumpkin remains in the same location. so if your keeping the GM 205 Transfer case as designed and not clocking it, it should line right up.
the SM465 & the rare NV4500/205, and autotrans th350,400 & 700r4 are used with a 205 transfer case stock.
seems like adapting a T5 spline to a 205 is not a standard set-up.
Last edited by Dogs51Burb; 06/13/2014 6:50 PM.
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | When your cutting down a front 4x4 housing, the cut is equal on both sides, outside of the spring perches. Pumpkin remains in the same location. so if your keeping the GM 205 Transfer case as designed and not clocking it, it should line right up.
the SM465 & the rare NV4500/205, and autotrans th350,400 & 700r4 are used with a 205 transfer case stock.
seems like adapting a T5 spline to a 205 is not a standard set-up. Dog, I am trying to fit the pumpkin between the very narrow stock front leaf springs of an AD. Cutting both sides will not relocate the pumpkin between the springs. Cutting one side and moving the entire axle in the direction of the cut off end will. I will then need to find a way to make a T-5 with integral transfer case line up with front axle. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | I will be posting the details next week. I am only cutting the long side down. The only trans that came stock from GM with a 205 are the sm465 the t350.t400 and the 480le. Standing by... Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 |
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Thanks Barry, I'll check it out.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | |
|
|
