First off, I got an '82 K5 with a 350/th350/np208 for the drivetrain. I was going through a bog pit the other day( between 2-5' deep). I was slowing down so I pushed on the gas a bit more and from under my feet/ front seat area, I felt a very bad vibration and heard horrible grinding/slapping/slipping sound. It crawled out backwards from the pit in 4x4 still so it wasent completly broke. I unlocked the hubs and put it back in 2 wheel drive but it sure didn't sound healthy at all. Has anyone had similar experiences? I had 35x13.5x15 M/T Baja Claws (pretty much slicks with about a millimeter tread other than the side-biters) but just recently( about 4-5 days ago) switched them out for a set of 38.5x11x15 Super Swamper Boggers( about 95% tread). would the extra grip and tire size of snapped the chain in the np208? Im thinking of swapping it for a 203 or 205. Any opinions on which is better? I was liking the sound of the gears in the 205, thinking it would be alot tougher than a chain. What do you guys think? also, which do you think would be the cheapest to install? Thanks for the help!

 

You still on stock 10-bolt axles with those tires?? Have you checked to make sure that your front axle shafts are still ok?

As far as strength goes, the NP205 is stronger than the NP203, but you'll likely be able to find NP203's cheaper than NP205's. The strength difference is not all that great though. One thing that is much nicer about the NP205 is the ability to twin stick it for independent control over front and rear output.

 

second vote for the 205, little more costly. i hate that 203. if you got one and it works fine but id never put one in to replace a 208.

also the 205 or 203 may not be a direct bolt on. i swapped from a 203 to a np208 and had to swap output shafts. not sure about a 205 but guessing the same thing. look around online before just going and buying a transfercase.

 

Yea Im still on the stock 10 bolt front and 12 bolt rear 6 lug. I did check the front axels and they were fine. The what I figured it was because i just broke a front axle last week and had it replaced. I figure the axel that broke last week was probably due to the the T-case slipping, then catching and snapped the axel. Possibility? And what does twin sticking do? Allows you to control the front and rear seperatly? What are the advantages with a twin stick?
Im not positive on this, but I think one would only have to switch output shafts if they were taking the transfer case from a different transmission. If I find a np205 from an early 80's th350, it should bolt up right? I dont really know, just have been looking stuff up on the internet trying to figure things out. Thanks for the reply's.

 

Twin stick is kinda cool. Really the only time I seen it useful was in weird situations where u had to make a tight turn. You could put the E break on and use front wheel drive to turn the truck

 

Exactly.

 

Well that is kinda cool... If you put it 4lo in the rear and 4 hi in the front it would probably do some good dough nuts on ice then eh? that would be kinda fun. About the 208 to 205 T-case swap though, Would it be possible to find an np205 that will bolt right up to my th350? I was looking it up and it seemed like as long as I find a 27 spline 205, it would bolt up. Any comments/experience on this?

 

It is definitely possible. You just need to find the adapter to fit as well. The only other thing that may not be the same is the drive shaft connections and length.

 

Ok. Well thanks for all the help. Ill get calling around. Oh and one last question... The adapter is the metal part that connects to the crossmember correct?