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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 2012 Posts: 27 New Guy | | New Guy Joined: Apr 2012 Posts: 27 | Wondering if anyone would have suggestions on what would be the easiest fit to convert my 49 to 4wd
It's not the weight of the load, that breaks your back. It's how you carry it.
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 ODSS Lawman | | ODSS Lawman Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 1,418 | There are several options. First is find a NAPCO front end. Sometimes easier said then done. If you think your truck is slow now, wait til its a 4x4!
SWEET Sergeant At Arms: Old Dominion Stovebolt Society BUNS?!?!?!Where we're going, we don't need no buns.....1950 GMC 450 1951 Chevy 1/2-TonThe GreenMachineIn the Stovebolt Gallery | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 | What weight is your 49? I believe NAPCO did produce 4x4 units for earlier 1 ton trucks. Half tons didn't get them until the were available from the dealer in 55.
It requires a few things to work so best to get all the running gear. Like SWEET said, it makes your truck extremely heavy and all those massive gears turning kills speed and gas mileage. I get about 9 mpg with a 350 V8. But nothing better than a NAPCO in my opinion!
Now you could try to place your 49 on top of a late model frame and running gear but I think you will find the frames are too wide. You might be able to shorten late model axles and make it work. But you are in some tricky territory. | | | | | Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 290 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Aug 2008 Posts: 290 | The first front end I used was from a 1966 1/2 dana 44 closed knuckle (drums)that I had shortened down 3 1/2 to match the spring width. I switched to a newer dana 44 out of a 1976 1/2ton open knuckle & disk brakes. | | | | | Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 129 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Feb 2010 Posts: 129 | I get about 17 mpg with my truck, with the 283 and Quadrajet carb. I'm pretty easy on the gas pedal but with tall tires it will do 65 pretty comfortably.
AD Napcos are cool.
Ed Miller
'58 Apache short Fleetside half ton Napco
Falls City, OR
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 | Then what the heck is wrong with my truck Ed? I pulled the plugs and the engine seems to be running perfectly. I do think I have been getting better mileage lately after bumping up the timing and moving to 89 octane, but not 17! Maybe its simply because I am taking it off road a lot?
Didn't mean to highjack this thread! | | | | | Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jun 2009 Posts: 2,201 | Wondering if anyone would have suggestions on what would be the easiest fit to convert my 49 to 4wd one option is to cheat like I did. explore my photobucket or PM me if you want details. Mileage: taller tires will help, smaller right foot will help more. If you go off-roading calculating your mileage is a waste of batteries in your calculator. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2005 Posts: 946 | | | |
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