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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: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Finally started the NAPCO 4x4 conversion on my '50 Chevy 6100 yesterday. I'm taking the set-up out of my '54 6400. I've got the trucks parked side by side, so I can swap out the running gear and keep both trucks rolling. For those who attended the junkyard tour this past winter, I took the trucks to Frankies because he has every tool I could possibly need. Got the rear axle swapped out and mounted today... hoping to start on the front tomorrow. It would be great to have it complete enough for the Winchester show, but I doubt that's happening.
George | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | Hey George,
Sounds like fun...send pictures!!!
Mike B | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Great!
I expect you can make it to Winchester, you've got plenty of time...
Got any pictures of the process?
Grigg | | | | | Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,421 ODSS President | | ODSS President Joined: Jan 2001 Posts: 1,421 | Can't wait to see the beast!
~ Cosmo
1949 Chevy Half Ton
Rocinante, like Don Quixote, he is awkward, past his prime, and engaged in a task beyond his capacities.
"...my good horse Rocinante, mine eternal and inseparable companion in all my journeys and courses." ...Don Quixote, Cervantes
"If you come to a fork in the road, take it."...Yogi Berra
"Rudeness is the weak man's imitation of strength." ...Eric Hoffer
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | This morning I got the front end out of the 6100 and I'm ready to drop the NAPCO front end out of the 6400. If things go good and it doesn't rain, I hope to have the front ends swapped out this afternoon.
Due to the pressure applied by my Stovebolt Brethren, I took a camera with me this morning and took a bunch of pic's. I'll try to figure out how to post them tonight. Time to get back to the trucks.
George | | | | | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Got the front end installed today just as the rain started. Both axles are in place, but I still need to torque the u-bolts, hook-up the steering and install brake lines. Not looking forward to swapping out the transfer case, but that's next. I hope these pic's work out... it's my first attempt! 1950 2-ton NAPCO 4x4 Conversion | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Looking good George,
Do you have to have a driveshaft shortened?
Grigg | | | | | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | | ZooKeeper Unregistered | IIIIIIIIIII like it....Joe | | | | | Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Mar 2004 Posts: 6,214 | Hey George, Thanks for the pictures...they're worth 1000 words! Are you putting the dump box back on the 50? Mike B  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Grigg, Joe, Mike B.,
Thanks for the feedback. It looks like I'll have to have the rear driveshaft lengthened; on short wheelbase trucks, the driveshaft goes from the t-case directly to the rearend. On long wheelbase trucks it goes to the carrier bearing and then to the rearend.
Not sure what bed will go on the truck, but I doubt I'll put the dump bed back on... I've already got a dump truck. I was thinking about a pickup bed, but I think I'm out of that phase. It would be nice if I could find another utility bed like the original on the '54. Anybody got any good ideas?
George | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 Camp Commandant | | Camp Commandant Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 | George, I haven't had a chance to post until now but you are making great progress! The truck looks great. I think it will easily make Winchester.
Good to see you last weekend and it was fun working under your expert tutelage.
Keep up the good work.
Billy | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Thanks Billy, I'm still doubting it'll make Winchester unless I take it as a roller. I'm looking forward to the big show, no matter what vehicle I bring. I might hop in the '57 Panel and take a slow ride up Rt 11.
Take care, George | | | | | Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,714 62401 | | 62401 Joined: Nov 1995 Posts: 5,714 | George,
Just checking in, too. That's great! Thanks for the photos, too. Frankie's place looks different in the Summer... a little ..
I say bring it as a roller to Winchester. And forget the bed -- just mount a drill press back there ...
John
~ John A kid raised on Hotwheels, Matchbox and Tonka cannot be reasonably expected to own only one vehicle as an adult. 1949 Chevrolet 3804In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum1973 IH 1310 Dump1963 Kaiser M38A12001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie"2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley) | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | John,
It'll be a while before I can look at another drill press. My shrink diagnosed me with PTDPMS (Post Traumatic Drill Press Moving Syndrome). Moving all that stuff wasn't so bad... I expect to be able to stand upright in another 2-3 weeks and walk normally soon after that.
Take care, George | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 Camp Commandant | | Camp Commandant Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 | PTDPMS, man thats some bad stuff. John and I suffered a slight relapse last weekend moving another drill press (it looks awesome sitting in my shop though!)
Hows the progress coming, I figure its a driver by now.
Billy | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Billy,
I've been trying to get caught-up around the house so I haven't started on the t-case yet.
I filled out the pre-registration form for the Winchester show yesterday and didn't know what truck to say I was bringing. I finally decided on the '57 GMC Panel... which gives me more time to work on the 6100. I guess I could always change my mind.
George | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | NAPCO swap mission complete! I finally got the entire swap done today and drove the beast around Frankies junkyard. I mounted the t-case last week and took my driveshafts in for shortening/balancing. Today I got the driveshafts put back in and after cutting a hole in the floorboard, I mounted the shift levers for the t-case and PTO. Tomorrow I have to move the Hydrovac unit and get it hooked up. The final task will be the brakes. I might haul the truck up to the Winchester show, but I haven't decided yet. I'll get some more pic's up soon.
George | | | | | Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 Camp Commandant | | Camp Commandant Joined: Nov 2000 Posts: 1,398 | Goerge, It won't matter what you bring. I was told the first year I went to this show that the one rule thay have is, There are no rules!
Thats cool you got the truck driveable. I can't wait to see it. I would have loved to come down there an helped out. Heck, I want to go back to Frankies one day anyway.
Billy | | | | | Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 566 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2007 Posts: 566 | Count me in on that too!!!!! | | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 456 | Billy, I sure could've used your help! There's still a lot to do, so maybe you can help me out later.
You all are always welcome at the NAPCO Rescue Ranch! We'll have to schedule another weekend get-together here soon... including a junkyard tour.
George | | |
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