4x4

This month’s feature is the earliest NAPCO accessory equipped truck in existence! So far no one has been able to prove otherwise. That is quite a compliment due to the large following of these aftermarket 4x4 trucks. As the author of this article, Jim Carter of Jim Carter Truck Parts, I became telephone friends of the owner of this 1951...

It’s the late 1960’s and John Berry of Lehi, Utah, needed another pickup truck for his ranch duties. He was not particular of the brand but just needed a dependable older pickup for his general hauling requirements. The best he found that seemed affordable was a 10 year old local GMC. John used to tune the truck and service it...

The debut of the famous 4x4 Chevrolet Blazer was in 1969. It had little competition and stood alone as a combination off-road and daily driver utility vehicle. Chevrolet truck dealers were taken by surprise! Waiting lines soon occurred requesting this new and unique car/truck vehicle. By 1970, production was in full swing. GMC also entered the project this second year...

The momentum of four wheel drive popularity definitely began after World War II. The need for this off-road extra during the war forced 4x4 technology to develop at a fast pace. Thus, during the early 1950's, several independent companies began to appear offering a four wheel drive kit for light duty trucks. Major pickup manufacturers were not yet offering this...