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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: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 | While driving home from the lake the other day,I happened to stop for gas in a small town(secret location),and happened across a very interesting basketcase truck.It's a '58 or '59 GMC,conventional cab,about a 2 ton,with a massive ginpole-style pto crane on the back.The interesting thing is that it's a napco powerpack 4x4,and has a huge front drive axle under it.It is a factory V8,looks to be a 283,got more levers in the cab that you can count.Has anyone ever seen one of these around,how rare would it be??
thanks for input.
ed | | | | | Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Dec 2003 Posts: 2,733 | Sound really interesting and like a 53' 6400 I once had with gin poles and a 40K winch. I sure don't know anything about Canadian GMC's but in the US I don't think it would have had a Chevy engine. Likely a Pontiac built GMC in 58' or 59'. Someone once told me they even used some Buick V8's at one time but I don't know. Bet someone here does however.
So when are you bringing it home? | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 | this is a canadian-built gmc with a chev drivetrain,engine is definitely a smallblock chev looks like a 283.I got a hold of the owner,the truck was his dad's but he passed on.The guy wasn't to keen on parting with it but if someone waved some money at him he might bite.
I checked out napco4x4.org,there is a couple of similar trucks in the gallery there,they claim it's a 1 1/2 ton but looks more like about a 3 ton to me.Would make an awesome plow truck or trailer hauler with a big engine. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 Cruising in the Passing Lane | | Cruising in the Passing Lane Joined: Feb 2002 Posts: 12,029 | it would be a 283 if original, and will prolly have a governor in a big truck - they didn't make a "3 ton", higher GVW was just a 1.5T with bigger wheels/tires, more springs, and a fish plate on the frame from just under the cab to the front hanger of the rear springs, which was called a 2T - problem will be that the diff ratios will be about 7:1, top speed not great! and not likely to have a 2spd if 4x4
Bill | | | | | Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Dec 2005 Posts: 20 | 7:1 axles eh?sounds like just the ticket for a set of 44" monster mudders........big block and a 5 speed.
If you go to napco4x4.org,gallery,scroll down to the gmc section,there is a white '59 1.5ton just like the one I found.Awesome truck.Looks like they might have some sort of vacumn brake booster,what about the steering?armstrong only?
ed | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | 53moneypit, Chevrolet (USA) used the Buick 322 V8 from 1956 when they introduced the 2-1/2 ton rated truck until they had a big enough motor of their own which was the 1958 348 Big Block. They were only available in the 9000 & 10,000 series trucks. The only engine option for those two series trucks was the 322 with 2 or 4 barrel carburator. I have the 322 in both my 57 10500 Fire Truck and 56 9200 LCF. Mike B  | | |
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