np205 cross member

[jordanblea]

Hello all, just recently swapped a t221 tcase for np205 (69 k10), we were able to make the t221 cross member work for now but the cross member is in the way of the front drive line. We can modify the cross member but it might take more cutting than I want to take from it. I have been told 70-77 and 84+ year cross members will work for this np205. I have had a hard time locating one but came across a 83 cross member at the wrecker. Will this work with slight mods or what's the deal there if anyone knows. We can cut and drill the holes if needed, just would love to be able to use the 83 if it'll work. Thanks for any insight and input.

[jordanblea]

So I guess I heard wrong on the 84+, just talked with him and he said 84 and older, can anyone confirm this? Thank you.

[BigRed76]

Well I can speak from experience that the '73-up 205 crossmembers are different than the '72-down 205 crossmembers. Whether or not they interchange I can't say, but physically they are different.

[jordanblea]

Originally Posted by BigRed76

Well I can speak from experience that the '73-up 205 crossmembers are different than the '72-down 205 crossmembers. Whether or not they interchange I can't say, but physically they are different.

Ok, it's a 70-77 np205 according to the code stamped on it C-99404, so for those years they should be the same I imagine, that crosses into different generations. Hell I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks guys.

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by jordanblea

Ok, it's a 70-77 np205 according to the code stamped on it C-99404, so for those years they should be the same I imagine, that crosses into different generations. Hell I'm gonna pick it up tomorrow and see how it goes. Thanks guys.

Yes the transfer cases are the same, and the mounts are the same, but with the body change in '73 came a different crossmember as well.

[jordanblea]

[QUOTE=BigRed76;6827796]Yes the transfer cases are the same, and the mounts are the same, but with the body change in '73 came a different crossmember as well.[/QU

Hopefully it'll work with slight mods then. Not afraid to notch and drill a hole or 2 but don't want to take out too much if we can avoid it.

[BigRed76]

So after google searching some crossmembers I see that most of the '73-up crossmembers are very similar to the '72-down crossmembers. So the only potential issue would be the frame width. The NP205 crossmember I had on my '76 bolted to the bottom of the frame but also curved up along the left side of the frame and bolted on the left side.

[jordanblea]

Originally Posted by BigRed76

So after google searching some crossmembers I see that most of the '73-up crossmembers are very similar to the '72-down crossmembers. So the only potential issue would be the frame width. The NP205 crossmember I had on my '76 bolted to the bottom of the frame but also curved up along the left side of the frame and bolted on the left side.

Good to hear, we will make it work! Just need to figure out the torque mount from there. Can't wait to have 4x4 again, it's about time for the aspens to change colors in the Colorado high country want to take the 69 up there in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your help!!

[BigRed76]

Originally Posted by jordanblea

Good to hear, we will make it work! Just need to figure out the torque mount from there. Can't wait to have 4x4 again, it's about time for the aspens to change colors in the Colorado high country want to take the 69 up there in a couple of weeks. Thanks for your help!!

I've seen on here that multiple guys don't run the torque mount on the np205's because it doesn't allow the drivetrain the flex very much and potentially causes things to break, but I don't know if there's any truth behind that. And I do know that the '73-up np205's don't use a torque mount, so maybe a reason for that.

[BigRed76]

So the top picture is the '72-down np205 crossmember, and in the 2nd picture, the top crossmember is what I've seen on '73-up trucks.

[jordanblea]

Originally Posted by BigRed76

So the top picture is the '72-down np205 crossmember, and in the 2nd picture, the top crossmember is what I've seen on '73-up trucks.

The 2nd pic the top cross member should work, the bottom is the "W" style that I don't think will work.

[jordanblea]

Originally Posted by jordanblea

The 2nd pic the top cross member should work, the bottom is the "W" style that I don't think will work.

As long as it's not solid mounted and you have flex (rubber bushings) in the mount should be good, it needs to flex with the motor and transmission, other wise the adapter is the weak spot and is know to fail. Solid mount is good if your motor and transmission is all solid mounted. The flex then would come from the whole truck rotating. Still not 100% on if I'm gonn have one there or not I guess. If it's not torque mounted then it just sit's on the cross member I guess. There are theories both ways I guess.

[jordanblea]

Originally Posted by jordanblea

As long as it's not solid mounted and you have flex (rubber bushings) in the mount should be good, it needs to flex with the motor and transmission, other wise the adapter is the weak spot and is know to fail. Solid mount is good if your motor and transmission is all solid mounted. The flex then would come from the whole truck rotating. Still not 100% on if I'm gonn have one there or not I guess. If it's not torque mounted then it just sit's on the cross member I guess. There are theories both ways I guess.

I said "I guess" a lot on that last one lol

[jordanblea]

So now I just learned that 1981+ 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks came with the np208 (the "w" cross member), and that cross member will not work. If it's off of a 1 ton truck (came with the np205) will that work?!?! Super frustrated by this whole thing been looking for almost 2 weeks and cannot come up with the right cross member. I'll know more tomorrow I guess.

['68OrangeSunshine]

On my '71 GMC Jimmy [V8 350/SM465/NP205] I have 2 X-Mbrs, the forward one supports the tranny and engine, and I guess the back one supports thr Xfer case and the rear of the skid plate. I currently have the skid plate off and also the back Xmbr. I don't need it for any radical 'wheeling. But intend to put it all back together one day.
The fuel tank is also armored with a skid plate and about 48 bolts. My gas gauge is INOP. I can't get to dropping that piece yet either, so I just keep a log on my mileages and gas intake and figure to fill it up every 200 miles.

[CUSTOM/10]

Watch the parts board on this site, or pay $25 and join so you can post a WTB add. The correct crossmember would be from a 70-72, auto or standard, with a NP205, truck or blazer. I had a few of them but sold them all.

I didn't see what yr your truck is but this info is for 67-72 chevys !

Gary

[CUSTOM/10]

Where are you having the interference ?

By chance is your front output yoke a square 4-bolt flange type ?

Gary