Napco Four Wheel Drive Vehicles
| Company type | Public (historical) |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automotive parts manufacturing |
| Founded | 1918 |
| Fate | Four-wheel-drive segment purchased by Dana Corporation |
| Headquarters | Minneapolis , United States |
| Products | Four-wheel drive systems, winches, auxiliary transmissions, tandem drive axles, hydrovac equipment, dump truck bodies |
NAPCO (Northwestern Auto Parts Company) was a manufacturer specializing in parts for four-wheel drive (4x4) vehicles, established in 1918 and based in Minneapolis, Minnesota USA. Its range of products encompassed four-wheel drive systems, winches, auxiliary transmissions, tandem drive axles, hydrovac equipment, and bodies for dump trucks.
In the mid-1950s, NAPCO collaborated with Sherman Products Inc. to develop a Front Wheel Drive (FWD) Assist kit tailored for Ford 600 and 800 series tractors, which was marketed under the name Sherman NAPCO. This offering encountered stiff competition from the more widely adopted Elenco FWD Assist, resulting in limited market acceptance.
Eventually, the company's 4x4 segment was purchased by Dana Corporation, while NAPCO International remains active today, focusing on military components and equipment.
Pre-War 4x4
Although four-wheel drive vehicles date back to the 1890s, they remained relatively uncommon before World War II. The leading U.S. manufacturer at that time was the Four Wheel Drive Auto Company, founded in 1909. In the late 1930s, Marmon-Herrington produced conversion kits fitted onto Ford trucks; however, these conversions were expensive and produced in limited quantities.
1939-1945 War Effort
During World War II, NAPCO redirected its operations to supply specialized automotive parts to U.S. military contractors. The extensive deployment of four-wheel-drive vehicles such as the Jeep overseas showcased their effectiveness in both military contexts and civilian industries like construction, agriculture, and logging. This experience stimulated a postwar surge in demand for four-wheel-drive functionality in civilian trucks.
The U.S. Army’s need for a lightweight reconnaissance vehicle led to mass production of the Willys MB beginning in 1941. By war’s end in 1945, over 650,000 military Jeeps had been manufactured, cementing four-wheel drive as a standard feature in subsequent Willys/Jeep models.
1947-1955 Powr-Pak Kits
Among the Big Three American automakers, Dodge was the only one to promptly address postwar demand by launching the civilian 4x4 Power Wagon in 1946. NAPCO seized this opportunity by introducing the Powr-Pak 4x4 Conversion Kit in 1947, designed for truck frames equipped with Hotchkiss drive systems. These kits were made for Dodge, Ford, General Motors (Chevrolet and GMC), and Studebaker trucks; most sales focused on GM’s 3/4 and 1-ton pickups since their torque tube design was incompatible with half-ton models until 1955.
The kit featured a Spicer transfer case with an optional Dual-Range Hi-Lo setting. Approximately 85% of parts were standard Chevrolet components including wheels, drum brakes, front axles, leaf springs, shock absorbers, driveshafts, and universal joints. A notable innovation was the "shift on the fly" rubber-mounted transfer case that improved ride comfort. Additional options included Hi-Lo dual-range gearing and power take-off (PTO) units. NAPCO also provided winches and auxiliary transmissions.
Weighing 1,410 pounds, Powr-Pak kits were engineered for quick installation or removal within hours and required minimal alterations to the chassis. In 1955, the retail price stood at $995; when factoring in installation labor costs, total expenses ranged between $1,250 and $1,550. This upgrade increased the price of a GM pickup from roughly $1,549 for a two-wheel-drive model to as much as $2,797 for a four-wheel-drive version.
Throughout the 1950s, NAPCO evolved into a publicly held corporation renamed NAPCO Industries, signaling its strategic transition from a wholesale parts supplier to a full-scale manufacturer. The company also broadened its operations by overseeing blueprints management, vendor coordination, and pricing information to support its global activities.
1956-1959 GM Factory-Installed Option
Following the 1955 overhaul of its truck range, GM introduced the Powr-Pak as an option directly installed at the factory, which reduced expenses and enhanced sales through dealerships. GMC was the first to offer this in 1956, with Chevrolet adding it in 1957 under the Regular Production Option (RPO 690). The 1957 Chevrolet and GMC 3100 4×4 models were attractively priced at $2,549, making them competitive alternatives to previous aftermarket conversions.
1960 GM Develops Proprietary 4x4 System
With the 1960 redesign of its trucks incorporating an Independent Front Suspension (IFS), GM found that existing Powr-Pak kits were incompatible. This led GM to engineer its own internal four-wheel-drive system, thereby ending its collaboration with NAPCO. This separation had a considerable effect on NAPCO’s operations, prompting a strategic pivot toward manufacturing for heavy-duty trucks (1½ tons and above). Eventually, NAPCO transferred its four-wheel-drive business rights to Dana Incorporated, a prominent producer of transfer cases and Spicer driveline parts. Dana acquired all associated archives, technical documentation, and components, strengthening its position within the drivetrain industry.
Epilogue
Decades later, NAPCO-equipped trucks continue to be prized for their ruggedness and adaptability, making them highly collectible. Although detailed sales records for Powr-Pak kits are scarce, estimates indicate that fewer than 2,000 units were distributed.
Other Early 4×4 Manufacturers (Factory and Conversion Kits)
- Marmon-Herrington of Indianapolis specialized in converting Ford pickups from the 1940s and 1950s into four-wheel-drive vehicles.
- Willys-Overland and Ford Motor Company produced the Willys MB Jeep, originally based on American Bantam prototypes. After World War II, Willys-Overland expanded their lineup with the CJ series and Willys Wagons.
- Chrysler's Dodge Trucks created the Power Wagon during the WWII era.