I bought my 56 Napco just over a year ago from my school shop teacher at the end of my senior year of high school. In that time I have rebuilt the Trans and transfer case, have begun rebuilding the engine, now that I have all tore down.
I'm 19 now and have lived in Oregon most my life. I've seen a lot of cool old trucks on the west coast here, including a few rare old 4x4 conversions.
I never had any intentions of buying an old napco, but when I found out my shop teacher had a '56 that he'd sell to me for $500, I couldn't resist as I love old trucks, especially ones with 4wd.
I restored my grandpa's 1941 Allis-Chalmers WF tractor a couple years back, so I have some know how on rebuilding and restoring and mechanical components. But trucks aren't the same as tractors, so this was going to be a new one for me.
Part of what brought me to this forum is I accidentally broke a napco part the day I loaded the truck up to take it home.
I've continued to work on the truck ever since I got it, which was March 2022, but I have looked everywhere for a driver's side steering knuckle on the Napco front axle, and have only found a passenger side knuckle on eBay.
My plan for the truck is to restore everything mechanically, but keep the current patina as I think it looks kind of cool, as well as it would take a lot of work and new body parts to totally fix all the rust and dents, but maybe someday I'll do a total restoration.
I plan on fabricating a flatbed for it as well as I think it was a factory stakebed bought by the county when it was new.
It's a big project, and the engines gonna take some work, but it's a fun one that I've enjoyed working on so far and look forward to being able to drive eventually.
So far I have felt quite welcome in this forum, and I've appreciated the feedback I've gotten so far. Look forward to the responses I get.
Glad to see you were able to add some pictures to your post. And even more glad to see you have connected with the fellas at the Engine Shop.
We do have a big project there. You should be able to get all the help you need in the other places in THE SHOPS AREA.
And keep looking in the Rocky Mountain Bolters. Some things may pop up there that are closer to you that will encourage your interest in these old trucks -- and meet up with some of the Bolters!
Good details on finding the trucks and neat about the Allis Chalmers tractor that was your grandpa's!!
Peggy M “After all, tomorrow is another day!”—Margaret Mitchell, Gone with the Wind Share knowledge and communicate it effectively. ~ Elihu
Thank you, I'll have to look into those other forums some more! Also here's a picture of my grandpa's tractor. The last picture was where it sat at my grandparents for 15 years.
Last edited by Jsalchenberg; Sun Jun 04 2023 09:04 PM.
I posted in your other thread, but I will repeat it here because it is very important:
Make sure you can get a title before you get too deep into this project. Especially if it was actually a forest service truck, it might not have been the older gentleman's to sell (legally speaking).
I have seen too many people take an old beater, fix them up real nice, then lose them when they try to get a title because they turned out to be stolen.
Welcome to Stovebolt. Consider yourself at home. Take a little time to learn your way around. Stovebolt has so much to offer. See you around the garage.
Moderator - The Electrical Bay and Rocky Mountain Bolters
Welcome to the 'bolt.. This looks like a great project where you will learn many aspects of vehicle restoration. and definitely get it titled before you pour a lot of cash into it!
Maybe even take off the parts you already rebuilt before going to the DMV!!!!
Another quality post. Real Trucks Rattle HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
