The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Are all 3100's the same?

I have a 55 Chevy 3100 step side short bed and I want to convert it to a NAPCO 4x4. I have the opportunity to purchase a 58 Chevy Panel 3100 with NAPCO 4x4. My handy-dandy factory guide tells me that all 3100 frames are the same except for an extention on the rear for panels. Can I bolt up my step side body panels to the 58 3100 NAPCO frame?

Thanks for any help!!

Michael

pu/panel body mounts are much different - panel frame doesn't have the riveted on cab mount pads, pu frame doesn't have panel mounts - also the front of a 58 frame is about 1½-2" longer than the 55-7 due to the gravel pan behind the bumper, and the panel rear extension is riveted on and vital to allow mounting a rear bumper on the panel - I'd really rather see you take the driveline/axles from the NAPCO and swap your stepside axles back on the panel so you don't waste a panel truck!!

Bill

reds right,much easier to swap the running gears from 1 to the other then sell the 2 wd panel someone will want it,if u want it removed,let me know ill come get it.Or if changing running gears out is not your game i do classic and custom restorations and rat rods.

I can't help you with the technical questions,but it does seem a shame to destroy a panel to build a truck. The panels are so scarce I hate to see one destroyed. Of course I don't know all the details. Maybe the panel is a rust bucket with not much left,etc. I often hear people complain about the conversion of old vehicles to street rods, but they are forgeting that a lot of the rods you see were nothing but junk to begin with, and if someone had not converted them, they would have been crushed anyway. Allen

Panel prices are crazy, man.. unless the body is absolutely shot (and rust dosen't mean shot) you could easilly sell it and buy a truck.. and maybe even make some money in the process!

I'd guess a NAPCO Panel is probably even MORE rare (that means more bucks) might have enough left over after the sale to side your house and put your dog thru obedience school.

For switcharoo conversions, i've seen at least two Task Force year trucks parked on mid 70's Chevrolet 4x4 frames (and old rusty 70's Chevy 4x4's tend to be cheap, plentiful, and lots of avaliable parts)

Not sure how a 70's 4x4 rates against a old NAPCO, and maybe you're wanting to have your finished product be "period correct".

Either way you go, there are plenty of folks on here who can help you out.

Thanks for all the advice! I don't want to cut up either truck, I was hoping it would be a bolt on affair. Would it be a bolt on affair to move the NAPCO axles, transfer case, steering components and the PTO winch to the 2 wheel drive frame and visa-versa?

bigfatbaldbeardedguy, you seem to be the only guy in FL that knows what a NAPCO is! Can you send me your contact info?

If you guys say that the running gear can bolt up to the 2 wheel drive frame I will be in 7th heaven!!??

My understanding of the NAPCO stuff was that it was designed to be bolt on conversions, put on at the dealership when the truck was new, or slapped on the truck a few years later by some farmer in his barn.

Of course, each "kit" was suited for a particular year and model. I guess the real question would be how different the '55 and a '58 are frame and suspension wise. If the two were real close (or identical) then it outta be a direct unbolt and bolt back up kinda deal.

Early or late 55 makes all the difference here.

yeah, the assumption is it's a 55 2nd
if that's the case, yes, everything will just swap directly between the 2, tho it will no doubt take lots of grinder or torch work to "unbolt" and a passle of new bolts to "bolt on"

Bill

It is a 55 2nd 3100 series. The donor would be the 58 3100 Panel NAPCO. Bill, when you speak of grinding work, do you mean removing the rusty bolts to the running gear or are you talking about cutting off and replacing body mounting brackets on the frame? I really don't want to cut up anything. Can you enlighten me?

Thanks.
Michael

I think he's talking about cutting rusty and immovable bolts.

As they are both TF trucks, the running gear should just swap over. The NAPCO owner's site should be a big help.