Napco 4X4 conversions
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,949
Likes: 1
From: utica il
are you sure it is a napco? ford started making factory equipped 4x4's in 1959 i believe, so i have to say it is probably not a napco conversion, but i guess i could be wrong
EDIT: i just checked out your gallery, and yes, it is a napco conversion. i can't see why someone would pay extra for a conversion kit back then. it had to have been cheaper to just order a 4x4 f250. this truck is an extended wheelbase truck, so i can only assume it was a special order truck for a business or farmer with specific needs, maybe a logging truck. do you have any additional background info on this specific truck? i am very interested in where it came from and why it is configured as it is.
EDIT: i just checked out your gallery, and yes, it is a napco conversion. i can't see why someone would pay extra for a conversion kit back then. it had to have been cheaper to just order a 4x4 f250. this truck is an extended wheelbase truck, so i can only assume it was a special order truck for a business or farmer with specific needs, maybe a logging truck. do you have any additional background info on this specific truck? i am very interested in where it came from and why it is configured as it is.
New User
Joined: Jun 2010
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Napco did do 4x4 conversions for the 1 ton ford trucks, Marmon Hearington did most of the upfits after 1970, that's what makes this truck so rare. Napco stopped doing 4x4 conversions in 1960 for the 1/2 ton and 3/4 ton trucks. They did continue to do 1 ton and up until the early 1970s. For more history on Napco conversions you can go to www.Napco4x4.org they even have Fords on the website.
The truck used to have a funky narrow dump box on it, It still has the PTO shafts that ran the hydraulic lift for the dump bed. I am putting a flatbed on it and will use it for towing.
The truck used to have a funky narrow dump box on it, It still has the PTO shafts that ran the hydraulic lift for the dump bed. I am putting a flatbed on it and will use it for towing.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 88,826
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From: Simi Valley, CA
1959: F100/250's only. First F350 with factory installed 4WD: 1979.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: Across from the neighbors
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New User
Joined: Jun 2010
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No, Napco never did any for Dodge as far as I know. GMC and Chevy were the only trucks that had two options of either factory installation or installed by an authorized Napco installer, usually at the dealerships. Ford and Studebaker had only one option, an authorized Napco installer.
International Harvester and Dodge both went to the Spicer/Dana 44 closed knuckle front ends in 1956 for their 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks. International Harvester used Eaton front axles for their 1 tons and up....I think Dodge did too until the Dana/Spicer 60 closed knuckle came out in the early 1960's. Dana Corp. bought out Napco in 1960, that's why you see the closed knuckle Spicer/Dana axles on Chevy and GMC 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks after 1960... Napco continued to install 1 ton and up conversions on Chevy, and Ford until sometime in the 1970s.
International Harvester and Dodge both went to the Spicer/Dana 44 closed knuckle front ends in 1956 for their 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks. International Harvester used Eaton front axles for their 1 tons and up....I think Dodge did too until the Dana/Spicer 60 closed knuckle came out in the early 1960's. Dana Corp. bought out Napco in 1960, that's why you see the closed knuckle Spicer/Dana axles on Chevy and GMC 1/2 & 3/4 ton trucks after 1960... Napco continued to install 1 ton and up conversions on Chevy, and Ford until sometime in the 1970s.
New User
Joined: May 2012
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napco information
i own a 1958 gmc napco4x4 panel delivery...let me know what you would like to know about them as mine is all original cept a v8 307 sbc installed...the made them for ford they made them for international and they made them for dodge as well...
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