The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk 4 wheel drive 47-53

Hi,
I think I know the answer to this but want to be sure. Was there any 4 wheel drive pickups made?

Thanks,

Not from the factory, but conversions were done by companies such as NAPCO.

They were bolted on at the dealer. I believe it was 57 for the first factory 4x4, and it was NAPCO. Awesome trucks.

Here is a couple NAPCO sites:

The Napco Owners Group Gallery

Image Gallery Task Force Napco 4X4 Trucks

Yes, '57 was the first year for a factory install of the 4x4 system on Chevrolet, though it was still manufactured by Napco. GMC offered it in '56, same components, plus the GMC could be had with V8 and automatic trans, first in a 4x4 of any make (I can hear the Jeep guys whining now ). Prior to te '55 ist, the Napco conversions were 3/4 and 1 ton only.

In addition to the Napco, American Coleman also did conversions, though they are mostly on 1 ton and larger.

If you are interested, take a look through the hundreds of images I have rebuilding my 55.2 Chevy with 58 NAPCO running gear and PTO winch. It was all a bolt up affair with about 6 holes that need to be drilled. The two wheel drive truck that starts out the library is what the dealers bolted the 4x4 system to.

55.2 Chevy NAPCO

Bill,
I saw a truck with the Colman 4 wheel drive system on Ebay about a year ago and it was the only one I have ever seen. It looked like a heavy duty system.