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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!
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| | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 18 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 18 |
Hello Guys,
When changing a 1957 Chevy 1/2 ton truck (rear wheel drive) over to a 4x4 using a Napco conversion package, can you still use the stock rear end/axle?
Thanks,
Hal
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Yes, as long as the NAPCO front axle has the same ratio as your stock rear end.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 18 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Aug 2006 Posts: 18 |
Thanks 52Carl for your reply.
Hal
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2011 Posts: 1,611 | Hal,
I concur, I believe the 4wd conversions used the original rear axle.
Paul | | | | | Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2012 Posts: 1,214 | There was a good article in the Fall 2017 Hagerty magazine I got re. 2 Napco Stovenbolts, a 59 1/2 ton and I believe a 51 3/4 ton. It gave a limited history on the Napco conversions and it claimed they were bolt in mod's and could be removed and the stock parts reinstalled. As Carl said the gears ratio's in the front and back need to match.
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2000 Posts: 591 | I have the conversion manual and the stock rear is retained (ditto on front and rear matches).
I have a 1957 truck, it had a 1970's rear. So I changed the ring and pinions on both the front and rear to 3:38 - Patrick's kits).
This allowed good highway cruising, but the 261 and later the 283 were OK, but not a lot of "punch." I now have a 348 with
3 deuces in it. Now it has a lot of "grunt."
don
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