i just bought a 1960 gmc factory 4wd longbed truck, im trying to decide what i want to do with it now, it has a 327/4speed/divorced 205 combo with 3/4 ton axles... all the parts are stock to the truck except the motor, its the stock motor from a late 60s chevelle.

i know i want to rebuild the motor, update the tranny to a married sm465/205 combo and replace the axles to a newer d44/14ff combo with a rear disk brakes, and just update things to make the truck into a nice driver/mild wheeler... after that is where my definate plans stop...

i dont plan on beating this truck up to much, but id like to be able to clear atleast 35's and able to wheel decently. im not positive, but im guessing the truck has the same shorter 44" front leaves as the 67-72 trucks do, which dont flex worth a shit and id like to change that...
i know diy4x makes there b52s kit for the 67-72 4wd frame, but not the older 60-66 frames... does anyone know if there is a major difference between the 2 pre-73' chevy truck frames?

ive done a few searches and came up with no results... im really looking for any info on 60-66 4wd chevy trucks... whos done what, what works, what doesnt, ideas, oppinion, anything... has anyone on here built one using the stock frame? all the ones ive seen on here were on newer frames...

i havnt gone and gotten the truck yet so i dont have it to look at to figure things out, i just wanted to get as much info as i could before i went and picked up the truck... ill put up pictures as soon as i get the truck

well, the transfer case isnt stock.

if it resembles a 205, its probably an NP200.

stout unit. change the gear oil in it.

the front springs may not have shackles, but may be the early slider design which is not meant to flex, or really even droop.

the frame isnt much better than anything else, but it will take reasonable abuse.

you will have to reinforce the frame for the later model steering box, and install new mounts which isnt really difficult.

find an OPEN knuckle front 44 or 60 and set springs on it, bolt them down, and slide it under the truck.. and then let the trucks weight down onto them. you may have to make a crossmember for the front, so start getting steel together.

remember, you should be ENJOYING this.

i more than enjoy this, i love it...

that sounds about like what i had to do with my old 67... i used a frame repair kit for the newer trucks and made a mount to convert it to newer style power steering... i also made a front crossmember for that truck to lower the spring mount for more lift and to put 48" springs on it...

i was just guessing it was i 205 based on the look, so it probably is a np200...

thank you for the reply

Wouldn't a 1960 GMC be a Napco conversion? In other words worth lots of $$$$$?

Wouldn't a 1960 GMC be a Napco conversion? In other words worth lots of $$$$$?

well, it might be worth some money to the right person.

GM started making its own versions available to the public after seeing NAPCO have success with their version.

as early as it is, its quite possible that to the right guy, its priceless.

personally, i like the bug eye look from the 62 hood.