Napco axle swap

[86buick]

Have a 57 3600 napco truck, looking to find a 14bolt and Dana 44 from an 80s square body for the balljoints and disc brakes. Would they swap over fairly easy without modifying anything?

[mongocanfly]

i don't know 100% for sure, but im gonna go out on a limb and say no, as my guess...it wont just bolt together..my guess
the front might bolt in but the steering will need sorted out...the rear will probably need spring pads and shock mounts moved
youll also need to upgrade your master cyl for disc/drums
then im not sure how the axle and spring c2c widths will match up...

[86buick]

I've already planned on master cylinder upgrades, going with engine/trans swap soon. With the rear shock mounts those wouldnt be hard to relocate.

[mongocanfly]

id measure spring pads as well....
and on another note ''IF" you have to cut those parts off and reweld them,youll need to check the axle housing for straightness...it will most likely warp from any welding

['63GENIII]

First off, PLEASE either save those axles or get them to someone doing a correct Napco restoration. Those parts - the front axle and Spicer 24 aren't getting any easier to find.

I had a '57 3600 utility truck. Wish I never sold it. Anyway, the drivers side kingpin broke while on the freeway one day rendering the axle unusable, unrepairable as well as unobtainable. I ended up getting a Corporate 10 bolt (8 lug) out of an 86 Square. It went in without a hitch that I remember.

The only difference I remember was that the truck had the weird side mounted steering box but it was a power unit out of a van or something. Other than that, it worked fine even with a manual master cylinder.

The rear will probably need what Mongo was talking about. Spring perches, shock mounts, some sort of parking brake and brake line. It will work. It will just need a little thought put into it.

Not sure if you're looking to do rear disc as well? If you do though, like Mongo mentioned, The master cylinder will need re thinking. I swapped the D60 out of the '63 for a disc 14b. The braking was a pain to set up and to be honest, the D60 drum axle stopped it better. Not sure why but just my .02. Getting rid of the single circuit cylinder business for a dual ct. is a must though.

[86buick]

I dont plan on getting rid of the axles or transfer case. I even have a spare napco axle and transfer case that my grandpa gave me when he gave me the truck a few years ago. With the disc brakes, I'm only worried about the front. Rear drums I've never had issues with just want the discs for the front. Thank you for the help also.