The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk napco trucks and swivel frames

I traded for a 1 ton frame a few months ago,it didn't have a body on it but had all the running gear and tc, transmission but no motor. The other day I was going to use the divorced tc on another truck I'm building, so when I went to see what the tc was it had napco on the sticker.I looked it up and found info on napco trucks ,but mine also has a swivel frame by truckstell. I've seen a couple of trucks with the swivel frame, but no one has said anything thing about napco and swivel together. I was wondering if anyone might know what that thing is worth. I didn't have the heart to use the tc,I'm going to restore it. Thanks for any help I can get.

I want to see some pics!

Me too!...........

NAPCO is the company that supplied the 4 wheel drive system for GM. It consisted of 7 leaf front springs, front axle, transfer case and lift blocks for the rear. Before 4 wheel drive was available from the factory, the dealers would install the NAPCO system at the dealership on 2 wheel drive trucks. Quite easy, just drill a few holes for the transfer case and handle. I believe in 57 it became a factory installed system. I have never heard of a swivel frame, it sounds awesome! I am guessing that the swivel frame and NAPCO were just options on your truck, they don't have anything to do with one another as far as I know. What would you need a swivel frame for?

Anyway, if you are interested in NAPCOS, check out my project. I took a 55.2 rear wheel drive truck and installed a NAPCO system from a 58 Suburban. The 58 also came with a rare option for a 10,000lb PTO winch that runs of the transfer case. I believe it was a forest service truck. It is totally radical. Love it. There are like 5 drive shafts in my truck.
55.2 with 58 NAPCO 4x4 system

Your truck sounds like it's going to be a great project. Take pics and keep me updated on it. I'm buiding a 64 right now i've got the 4x4 axles under it and working on the brakes, steering and floor pan. I hoping to drive it this winter.

I have original documentation showing an AD NAPCO from the rear with a swivel frame. It is a NAPCO News pamphlet, which was a publication of the company. What year is your running gear from? The swivel frame was meant to take full advantage of the 4x4, and allow maximum travel over really rough terrain... join my forum if you'd like. www.napcpowrpak.com click on the globe and join up.

I have got to see pictures of that frame. Is it like the Mercedes UniMog 4x4? That would be awesome. Sounds pretty rare to me. Does your 64 have drum brakes up front? Can't remember when they offered disks. I bought cross drilled drum rotors and a power brake booster for mine, just to add a little safety. The 64 is a great looking truck when it is up in the air.

BlueChipper, how about a scan of that pamphlet? I'm a member already, just been needing info on non-NAPCO stuff.

not sure what year it is, the body wasn't there when I got it, but the guy I got it from sold the body to someone. When I get a chance I'm going to see if he remembers who he sold it to and try and trace them down. I would like to find the origanal cab.
I went to up load some pics of it the other day but had the wrong pulg in for my camera guess I'll have to make a trip to the store and get another one. I'll try to get some pics up soon.
My 64 was 2 wheel drive with drum brakes but I've put the 85 springs and axles under it, I'm sandblasting the inside of the cab right now so I can fix any rust and paint it before I put the insides b ack in it.