Removing 1973 front drive shaft? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Number21 · 02-19-2012, 04:43 AM

Long story short something is messed up in the 4WD on my '73 K20 with the NP205. Can somebody explain to me how to remove the front drive shaft so I can still drive around?

I see four bolts on the front U joint...do I take those out? And then what? What holds the back together?

Number21 · 02-19-2012, 05:37 AM

OK, I got the front of the shaft removed. How do I remove the front drive shaft from the transfer case?

Hoods69BadBowTie · 02-19-2012, 04:44 PM

I usually take a big flat head screwdriver or a tire iron and jam it into the driveline where the gaps are for the u-joints by the front of the transfer case. Then get a socket with an extension and turn the drive line till it wont spin. You will have to readjust the tire iron or screwdriver a few times to get to the other bolts. Might be an easier way but that's how I always do it. Good luck

KrazyRay · 02-19-2012, 11:48 PM

I pull the front driveline after the cab is removed from the frame. Its a lot easier to get to that way.

Just kidding! Its a pita to get those out. Plan on 15-30 minutes.

Number21 · 02-20-2012, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrazyRay

Its a pita to get those out. Plan on 15-30 minutes.

HA! I'm already 2 hours in and all I've got to show is blood.

I think the 205 transfer case is making it extra difficult to get to. I'm going to try and take the cross member out.

donut · 02-20-2012, 09:39 AM

What's in your way? I've had the shaft out of the old '73 before and don't remember it being that difficult. (at least nothing stands out in memory, so no ER visit.)

Starter out of the way? Exhaust? I "may" have gone through the tranny hump, but I honestly don't remember.

Number21 · 02-20-2012, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donut

What's in your way?

The cross member.

Zebb · 02-20-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Number21

The cross member.

Can you give more detail? I have never seen a front drive shaft that would not come out after you unbolted it. Or are you having trouble reaching the bolts?

Number21 · 02-20-2012, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zebb

Can you give more detail? I have never seen a front drive shaft that would not come out after you unbolted it. Or are you having trouble reaching the bolts?

That's the problem, I can't get to the bolts. Not enough room for a socket and the cross member blocks a wrench.

The front half of the shaft came off real easy.

Zebb · 02-20-2012, 09:12 PM

It's been a long time since I worked on a 205. If your mounts are bad could it be sitting closer to the cross member than it should? If so maybe jacking up the 205 some to give you clearance enough for a wrench?

1985-GMC · 02-20-2012, 09:14 PM

Does yours have some kind of skid plate attached to the crossmember? It shouldn't be more than a 20 minute job.

Number21 · 02-20-2012, 10:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1985-GMC

Does yours have some kind of skid plate attached to the crossmember? It shouldn't be more than a 20 minute job.

No. I think I've already got the cross member mostly off, just one stubborn bolt left. I hope. Seems like "simple" jobs always cause me the most trouble. Someone told me the 208 t-case leaves more room for this problem.

1985-GMC · 02-20-2012, 10:39 PM

The front output actually sits back further on the 208 vs a 205. When I swapped out the sm465/ np208 in my blazer to a 465/ 205 I had to shorten the front drive shaft. You have a U bolt flange on your truck though and not a round 4 bolt flange correct?

Number21 · 02-21-2012, 12:40 AM

Alright, I got the cross member off. Now I can get to the bolts on the back of the shaft just fine. Problem is they're too tight!

I'll try and go at it tomarrow with a longer wrench.

02-19-2012, 04:43 AM	#1
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Removing 1973 front drive shaft? Long story short something is messed up in the 4WD on my '73 K20 with the NP205. Can somebody explain to me how to remove the front drive shaft so I can still drive around? I see four bolts on the front U joint...do I take those out? And then what? What holds the back together? __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

02-19-2012, 05:37 AM	#2
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? OK, I got the front of the shaft removed. How do I remove the front drive shaft from the transfer case? __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

02-19-2012, 04:44 PM	#3
Hoods69BadBowTie Chevys Kick A$$ Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Zootown, MT Posts: 12,699	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? I usually take a big flat head screwdriver or a tire iron and jam it into the driveline where the gaps are for the u-joints by the front of the transfer case. Then get a socket with an extension and turn the drive line till it wont spin. You will have to readjust the tire iron or screwdriver a few times to get to the other bolts. Might be an easier way but that's how I always do it. Good luck __________________ HOODS is what I answer too -'79, '77, '88 Pickup Sold, '85 Camaro, '83 T/A, '81,'83,'90 K5 Blazer All Sold -'79 3/4 ton "Big Yellow Bananna" Lifted 4spd. 39.5 TSL Swampers, The money Pit -'86 K5 Blazer Silverado 6.2 4" lift 35"s -'95 Ext. Cab Shorty 4" Tuff Country rolling 35" M/T's -'83 Monte Carlo T-Tops. 126,500 Original Miles -LATER I would rather push a Chevy then drive a ford!!

02-19-2012, 11:48 PM	#4
KrazyRay Registered User Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Oroville, CA Posts: 4,827	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? I pull the front driveline after the cab is removed from the frame. Its a lot easier to get to that way. Just kidding! Its a pita to get those out. Plan on 15-30 minutes.

02-20-2012, 09:39 AM	#6
donut Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: S.C. Posts: 1,593	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? What's in your way? I've had the shaft out of the old '73 before and don't remember it being that difficult. (at least nothing stands out in memory, so no ER visit.) Starter out of the way? Exhaust? I "may" have gone through the tranny hump, but I honestly don't remember. __________________ '86 C-30 dually, 454/tbh400 '73 K-20 350/350/205 (sold ) I'm kinda like duct tape- no real purpose, but handy to have around.

02-20-2012, 09:12 PM	#10
Zebb Registered User Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Dalton, NH Posts: 165	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? It's been a long time since I worked on a 205. If your mounts are bad could it be sitting closer to the cross member than it should? If so maybe jacking up the 205 some to give you clearance enough for a wrench?

02-20-2012, 09:14 PM	#11
1985-GMC Chevy Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canyon Lake Texas Posts: 2,024	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? Does yours have some kind of skid plate attached to the crossmember? It shouldn't be more than a 20 minute job. __________________ Tony 1985 GMC K2500 restoration Project: Rust, White & Blue 1989 Chevy R3500 CC Cummins & 4X4 swap some day... 1989 Burb (D60, 14BFF, 12V, NV4500, NP205, 37" tires in progress)

02-20-2012, 10:39 PM	#13
1985-GMC Chevy Enthusiast Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Canyon Lake Texas Posts: 2,024	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? The front output actually sits back further on the 208 vs a 205. When I swapped out the sm465/ np208 in my blazer to a 465/ 205 I had to shorten the front drive shaft. You have a U bolt flange on your truck though and not a round 4 bolt flange correct? __________________ Tony 1985 GMC K2500 restoration Project: Rust, White & Blue 1989 Chevy R3500 CC Cummins & 4X4 swap some day... 1989 Burb (D60, 14BFF, 12V, NV4500, NP205, 37" tires in progress)

02-21-2012, 12:40 AM	#14
Number21 Registered User Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 611	Re: Removing 1973 front drive shaft? Alright, I got the cross member off. Now I can get to the bolts on the back of the shaft just fine. Problem is they're too tight! I'll try and go at it tomarrow with a longer wrench. __________________ '73 K20 Cheyenne Super Camper Special 350/TH350/NP205 sittin' on 33's. You can set my truck on fire and roll it down a hill, and I still wouldn't trade it for a Coupe de Ville.

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