Just wondering if anybody has any info on the Napco
4 wheel drive conversion. I know they were done on some
Ford trucks, and I'm looking for any kind of leads on parts,
manuals, etc.

Thanks

 

All I can tell you is that the napco stuff is VERY rare and worth its weight in gold. I don't know of any manuals and haven't even personally seen a napco 4x4. If it indeed has napco running gear it will be cast into the axle. Sorry I couldn't help more but if you've got one of the napco fords I'm jealous.

 

Small confession to make - The NAPCO I'm helping a buddy to restore is a 57 Chevy:-X23 . Knowing that they made the PowerPak for Fords, I was hoping to find somebody that had ANY info on NAPCOS.
This one has the NAPCO on the front axle and a Spicer model 21 divorced transfer case (that has to weigh at least 125 lbs!! that thing is a bear to work with). He's got this wild hair to put a 407 inch supercharged small block in it. Should be wild.... thanks for responding.

Me? I drive an 89 Bronco XLT

 

I've got some info on the company itself. Actually it came from the August/September issue of Off-Road Adventures Magazine page 70.

-Napco, short for Northwestern Auto Parts Company was founded in 1918 as a warehouse supplier of obsolete parts for makes no longer in production. After WWII, they purchased some pre-owned axle tooling(reputedly used to manufacture the axles used for the earliest Dodge 4x4 trucks of 1940) and began producing conversion kits called the "Powr-Pak." Most sources say they started business in 1950. Napco specialized in GM trucks, though they were known to later offer kits for Fords and Dodges as well. They soon grew to a point where they rivaled Marmon-Herrington in scope and production. Many of their kits were shipped to dealers for installation and the kits were reputed to be much easier to install than the Marmom-Herrington's. Napco hit the big-time when GM purchased kits in bulk to install on the assembly line. This started with the '56 GMC trucks and Chevy followed suit the next year. These kits were identical to the crated ones, but did not include the usual Napco badges. This continued until 1960 when GM sourced individual pieces for the new trucks from separate vendors. Napco also provided the kits for the short lived '58-'64 Studebaker 4x4 trucks. Napco was absorbed into the Spicer Axle division of Dana in 1976.

Whew...my fingers are tired now
Sorry for the long post, I didn't want to leave anything important out. That is about all that the article says about Napco. It's only about two paragraphs long.

Hope this helps!

Jon
1989 F-150 XL- 4x4, 302, M50D
1995 Bronco Eddie Bauer- 351W, E40D

 

http://www.napco4x4.org/

 

 

I have just acuired one out of local classifieds....69 F-350 Dually 4x4. 39,000 Actual miles. Awesome find. I have a few pics but never tried to post, any body know how?

 

O K, Pics are in user gallery now!

 

There is a farmer out here that has an old chevy with the NAPCO conversion, heck it might even be gmc, its been so long since Ive looked at it. Ive been trying to take it off of his hands for quite some time now, and it hasnt moved in the last 20 years. He is sure he will use it someday.

 

I was out in a junkyard several years ago and stumbled over a 61 Chebby 1 ton pickup, it was a 4x4 In think it was a Napco conversion. I don't know for sure, all I know is it was built like a tank! Massive axles and springs!

 

Shoulda bought it and put a Ford engine and transmission in it. Even if it is a Chevy, I do like to see classic trucks moving under their own power, they are pieces of history (not as much as a Ford though )

 

You know... that is a helluva good idea! Especially dropping a fine Ford motor between the frame rails! It would more than likely raise the resale value! Unfortunately I think the has since been destroyed, I agree it truely is sad to see classic vehicles go to waste esspecially Fords.

 

Ok. I've been @ this for a week now..
61 ford f600 4x4, I cant find what diff this is. it's a 6 lug the pumpkin cover has a checkerd pattern & there is NO tags anywere. it's a close setup (at ends) & i'm trying to get u joints seals & steering bushings for the tie rods. is there a site or a place I could get info other than their sites..(not much help). w/ breakdown, that I can order parts.

 

i just picked up a 50 f500 4x4 its a marmon herrington conv.

 

I know it could also could be a coleman or fabco. is there a way to tell? I looked all over for info & i cant find any help. HELP! its got a checker board pattern on the gear cover w/ some # but no other markings.