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Hi all, I was given a 1955 3/4 Ton 2nd Series Chevy Pickup, all original, and want to convert it over to 4 wheel drive. I have seen a truck exactly like mine with 4 wheel drive, and it looked original. Anyway, I know its possible. I also have a 305 SBC to put in it, and have the motor mounts for it. I need all the info I can get to know what to look for to convert it over to 4 wheel drive, such as the transfer case, front axle (3/4 ton). Also, are there disc brake conversion kits to convert the brakes to disc brakes, but not the 5 lug, the 8 lug? I need all the info I can get on that too! Thanks For the help guys, I really appreciate it!

-Shane
[email protected]

hope you have time and $$$$$$$

hope you have time and $

Unfortunately, these conversions seem deceptively simple until you get into the details. There are so many little 'gotchas' with steering, axle mounting, transfer case linkages, etc. Finding a later ('58 or '59) Napco drivetrain might be an option, but since you plan to install a V8 anyway, you would be better off (easier and cheaper) finding a 1973-1987 Chevy 4x4 and put your body on it. Still a pain, but much easier. Good luck to you!

I've seen it done on a panel of that vintage. It looked pretty ugly underneath. I saw it for sale for $2,500 and feared that at $25 I'd regret getting involved.

I saw a 55 like yours that appeared to be professionally done sitting for sale a few months ago. It had 20 inch wheels and duals in the rear. I figured it was a light weight monster truck.

There is a 55 1st GMC pickup I see from time to time that has 1/2-ton 4x4 running gear. It looks like Blazer stuff and is pretty clean. It belongs to a doctor and he has it serviced at an expensive shop. I drive past that shop often, and that's where I most often see it. So, looks nice, but spends a lot of time at the shop...

25 years ago I had a '51 GMC sitting on 1-ton military type 4x4 running gear. I didn't build it, but I was forever fixing something on it. However, if it were me I think I'd sereously consider that approach as dukw45 suggests.

I see these conversions from time to time, but they are always for sale, or sitting at a shop. My conclusion is that its really hard to do it right, and most people aren't happy with the end result...

Shane: I can only speak from my experience: converting a Task Force truck from 2wd to a NAPCO 4wd is very do-able. In fact it was a dealer conversion at the time. The problem is finding a complete NAPCO setup & ensuring that it is in good condition. My guess is that such a set-up is easily $1500 & up for one that "probably is OK." I paid $500 for mine, but it needs a complete re-build. So far I have about $1500 invested & expect that about $200 - $300 more will be required (this does not count the tires & wheels). A V8 is no problem for the NAPCO front & rear. Many NAPCOs came with a V8. However, I'm not sure that disc brakes would work on the front. You might check the NAPCO site to see what others have done. In any case, I think the end result is well worth the effort, especially if you can locate a good & complete donor unit. Paying extra for a complete & known good unit is well worth it. If I had it to do over I would opt for that, but I must say I am enjoying re-build process.

Hmm, it sounds like I am screwed in this matter. But I will continue to plan on converting it to 4 wheel drive. Of course I am still a beginner at this, converting to 4x4, and all (im 16), but I do think there has to be a way to do this without switching chasis. To me, I figure there has to be some kind of axle, transfer case, linkage, etc. that should fit under there and mount up just fine. My Dad told me about trucks he had back in the day when he lived in Alaska, he said he had a few older trucks like mine (GMC, Chevy) that were 4 wheel drive and they were great. Also, my step dad has a 55 Chevy he is restoring, and a 55 GMC. This GMC has 4 wheel drive, power steering, and as I was told was one hell of a truck back when it was working. He is currently fixing that up to. I beleive it has a 1 ton rear end, and 1 1/4 ton front end. I was told the front axle was out of some heavy duty rig. Maybe he can help me figure out what would work, I dont know.

That 305 SBC I was talking about was out of a 77 nova, and it is currently in a 73?? chevy truck. I guess I could use that chasis? But I dont want to do anything like that unless it is my absolut last resort!

Thanks for are your help so far guys, I realy appreciate it, but keep 'em coming!

- Shane
[email protected]

Oh I wouldn't say it can't be done, but understand that its not a simple process.

Here's a picture of the '57 I saw for sale recently. \'57 Chevy 4x4

Ugly Stuff

More Ugly Stuff There was more but I stopped taking pictures.

Thanks for the pictures. I just also found out that they had 4x4 conversion kits even as far back as 51. I have this link to the website were I got valuable information on the history of NAPCO, and there is a link in the page that takes you to the original ads for these kits, on the trucks. Here is the link to the homepage of the website:
http://www.napco4x4.org/

And the link to he original ads, there are a lot of '58s in these ads, but older ones too:
http://www.napco4x4.org/ads.htm

I also looked on ebay motors for anything with Napco, and found "1" thing that might help me with my struggle, a '58 chevy 4x4 with the Napco running gear intact, heres the link.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6783&item=2452571810
(ends in 5 days)

Hope that that website may be of help to some of you. I knew that it was possible, but it supprised me that they made kits for 4x4 conversions, but I am glad that they did. Also, is there a company, business that still makes these kits, I hope to God that somone does, otherwise I am going to have one hell of a time locating all these parts, unless I find a doner truck of course. Well, thanks for the help guys, keep 'em coming!

- Shane
[email protected]

There are some modern front drive axles (such as the Dana 44) that are available in widths that match these old trucks. You might want to look around your local junkyards and measure some likely candidates. Good luck.

Ok, thanks for the info on the axle. But if there is a newer axle that could fit under my truck, then is there a newer transfer case? If so, then I will look into this! Thanks for the info, keep 'em coming!

- Shane
[email protected]

Some of the best information to be found on custom 4x4 setups is on the various Jeep pages on the web. Look for those, and any dedicated to off-roading. Those guys are always modifying their drivetrains.

Well, I am not looking to do custom work to my truck, although I may have to drill holes in my frame, etc. to get some of the equipment in. The Napco Powr-Pak that I posted the website to with all the info pretty much said that they made 4x4 conversion kits for my truck, and the only thing you had to do, as far as "customize", is drill a few holes in the chasis for the transfer case. Well, anyway I will keep looking for more info, thanks for the replies guys, keep 'em coming!

- Shane
[email protected]

Well, I found a complete Napco 1/2 Ton setup on eBay which includes all you need. Unfortunatley for me, I want it to be atleast 3/4 Ton. Here is the link if you guys might be interested:
Napco 1/2 Ton Setup

I have a new question if you guys could please help me. I have decided not to put that 305 in my truck. Instead I am looking for a 350 SBC to put in it. But, on the 305 there is an Edelbrock intakc manifold, Edelbrock Carburator, and a "big" delco distrubutor that I would like to continue using. Would these parts off the 305 SBC fit on the 350 SBC correctly? Also, will a 350 SBC bolt up to my original transmission correctly with no problems? Thanks for the help guys!

PS: my truck is a: 1955 3/4 Ton S.S. Chevy Truck
(S.S. = Second Series, and Step Side)

- Shane
[email protected]

You should see your mental health professional asap. This is an insane project. It would be much much easier to put that body on a running 4x4 truck.

one more thing... A 55 is a high demand classic truck. Please don't ruin it....

Yes I thought that I wanted 4x4 under my panel untill November when I started changing the motor in my 4x4 donor. I will not be using 4x4 under my panel. Had planned to do it the easy way. Put a complete running gear under the panel. Will still put a complete running gear under but NO 4x4 for me. To much stuff in to many places a two day engine swap is a week long pain.

I would appreciate it Tab, if you didnt put me down and my plans for my truck. I dont care how long it takes, how much work it is, or how much it will cost, I will do it. And I am not going to ruin my 55 chevy, I have talked to a lot of people about putting a 350 SBC in my truck, and if those parts will cross over from the 305 SBC to the 350 SBC and they will.

My step Dad has an enormous amount of experience in working on 55's, and rebuilding them. He has a 55 Chevy, and a 55 GMC in his shop he is rebuilding, and they both have 350's in them. And I am not taking the body off the frame, and putting it on a newer frame with 4x4 running gear. If they made conversion kits back in the day for these trucks, then I will search for one and use it. There is no need to switch frames.

Thanks for the replies so far guys, but I guess I will look else where for info and help I need.

- Shane
[email protected]

If any of you are interested, I found this all original 54 truck on ebay motors, rare find. Its located in Northern Virginia.

54 Chevy with 4x4 Napco Gear

- Shane
[email protected]

Shane,
Do not get discouraged by some of the replies that you get from people on this site. We all have different viewpoints and respond accordingly. The fact of the matter is that this is YOUR truck. Do with it what you want! If you have the facilities, abilities, and funds to complete the conversion to 4-wheel drive, by all means, do it. Unfortunately, 3/4 ton NAPCOs are rare. If you cannot find one, I would suggest going with 1/2 ton NAPCO stuff or bolt on later model components. With any project, follow the 6 P's (Proper Preparation Prevents [censored] Poor Performance). Look at ever aspect of the vehicle, suspension, steering, brakes, tire to body clearance, ect. With some imagination, time, and skills, anything is possible.

Good luck!
Phil

Thanks Phil, I appreciate your support. I am beggining to find out for myself that the 3/4 Ton conversion kits are rare and hard to find. Over at my step Dad's house, there is a store called Cliffs Classic Chevrolet, Cliff's son has a 55 truck with the 3/4 Ton kit on it I want, and its just sitting there in his front yard. I couldnt believe it. But, I am going to have to save up money before I can afford to buy the 3/4 Ton kit somewhere, cause they arent cheap! Well, thanks for the replie Phil, I will talk to you later.

- Shane
shanoplong15@msn.com

I have a 59 gmc 3/4 long w/b truck,I now have a 59 chev napco parts truck,all 4x4 parts work,how hard of a job,what do i need to do to convert,the napco parts to my gmc.

I don't imagine it's very hard. You'll probably have to find out as you go. I am also adapting 4WD to my truck, but I'm using a '68 GMC as a donor. Surprisingly, except for slightly different spring locations (1 inch different) and different shock perches, there isn't much difference at all. Everything on the rear axle still attaches to the spring. Technology just hadn't changed much in 16 years in my case.

The front axle is nearly as simple. It too simply attaches to the leaf springs with the U-bolts. Make provisions for the different shocks and you're almost in business. In my case, the steering box actually resides in the front left wheel well rather than inside the engine bay.

There's a little bit of welding, but nothing a 220 volt mig welder or arc welder can't accomplish. Maybe a 110 volt mig would work, turned up all the way and with patience. I think that can go up to about a quarter inch in steel thickness.

I swapped the Napco 4wd running gear out of a '57 1/2 ton with a rusted out cab & frame to a '59 1/2 ton. If you have all the parts, it's a simple bolt in job. IIRC you have to drill out two holes to a larger size in one of the crossmembers to mount the transfer case. These kits started out as an aftermarket bolt in conversion so they were designed for simple installation. Longer emergency brake cables are needed if you install the 4" riser blocks in the rear which keep the truck sitting level. The correct front brake hoses can be a little hard to find also. The Napco Owners Group is a great place to access a lot of information on these.

I'm building a 4x4 setup for my panel, following the lines of the original NAPCO setups while gaining some modern technology. The front axle is a late-70s narrow-track Jeep Wagoneer Dana 44 that is being converted to 8-lug with some same-era 3/4-ton Chebby parts. The cost of a custom-width Dana 60 was appalling, and I didn't want my tires sticking 3 feet out of my fenders. The engine is an L22 250 which will have TBI injection, a late model Dodge NV4500 4x4 transmission, and an early-80s Jeep Dana 300 transfer case. The whole thing should look superficially stock, drive well, and be capable of climbing over most anything out there.

thanks guys,the parts truck was givin to me but it is a 1/2ton,and the other one is a 3/4 ton,from reading all the post's it dose not look to be a to bad a job.let know how it comes out good or bad.