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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: Sep 2007 Posts: 84 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2007 Posts: 84 | I'm restoring a 1958 GMC 3/4 ton NAPCO truck and I'm working on chassis and driveline. I may be getting picky here, but I was wondering if anyone knows the original plating for fasteners on axles, diff. covers, knuckles, etc? Is it gold zinc chromate, cadmium, etc.? I'm trying to decide plating vs buying new. Any help would be appreciated. Glad to be back. Been super busy. Will post pictures soon.
Thanks,
Craig
1953 3100 | 1958 3/4-ton NAPCO
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,272 | Are you planning on keeping this truck in a climate controlled enclosure? The two coatings which you have mentioned are not very durable when exposed to the environment.
Cadmium, in particular is classified as a sacrificial coating, in that it gradually dissipates over time while the metal under it is protected. The problem with this is that once most of the cadmium goes away, the metal under it will corrode. Gold zinc chromate is even less durable. Both of them look great in the dealership showroom...
Hopefully someone who knows about NAPCOs will come along and answer your specific parts coating questions. There is at least one website online dedicated to NAPCOs which may be a better source for you.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | I'd be willing to bet the NAPCO hardware was all un-plated bare steel that came with a light coat of oil. The first puddle you drove through turned it to rust unless it got painted. I think gold cadmium hardware started in the mid 60's. Mike B  | | |
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