Will This Fit A 72 4x4?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

*72longbed* · 01-05-2005, 01:16 AM

Found something today that I couldn't identify. This was in three separate pieces: 1. a TH400 transmission marked 1979 3/4 ton Suburban, 2. a transfer case crossmember that had a large aluminum adapter plate bolted to the front of it at a right angle to the bottom and a skid plate on the underside, 3. a transfer case that had the speedo cable input coming out of the passenger side of the rear tailshaft housing. This transfer case did not look like an older NP205, it had an aluminum output shaft housing? The owner of these parts said they were all together at one time?

I don't know if this helps any but the truck that these parts were supposed to be going into (1971 4x4 frame) had a Dana 44 front axle with plates/caps over the hubs rather than manual locks??

I'm trying to figure out what the heck this setup is. Could it be stock 1979 3/4 ton Suburban 4x4?? Will this setup work in a 71/72 4x4 frame?

Any help indentifying these parts would be great.

Thanks,
72longbed

**kwmech** · 01-05-2005, 01:20 AM

Sounds like the t-case is a 203 - one heavy mutha--a 205 is the preferred choice. Have no idea about the x-member with the alum piece. Can you post a pic?

68w/sbc406 · 01-05-2005, 01:23 AM

isnt a 203 chain driven and a 205 gear driven? thats what i was told, just clarifying

*72longbed* · 01-05-2005, 01:32 AM

I'm gonna try to get back there tomorrow and take some pics. What I meant about T/C crossmember is the trans adapter was bolted to it.

Is it true that some NP205's were used in 1979 3/4 ton Subs?

Transmission is definitly a TH400.

Appreciate all input on this,
72longbed

**JIMs70GMC** · 01-05-2005, 07:05 AM

If the front axle did not have hubs but drive flanges then it was from a full time 4wd which would be a NP203 transfer case. It could all work in a 71 but the crossmember might need to be modified. I'm not sure if a 205 was available in a 79 3/4 ton burb w/ TH400, but if it had a SM465 it could have been.

*72longbed* · 01-06-2005, 02:13 AM

Here's those pics of the mystery (to me anyway) transfer case. There are eight pictures in all.

After you determine what it is, give me your opinion as to whether it will be practical to put it into a 72 4x4 frame. I can get the crossmember that has the adapter on it and the TH400 that was linked to it. Seems to be a 27 or 32 spline input on the T/C. Numbers stamped on the smooth front area of the case are: K8R08 Numbers on the casting are: 346321 GM

Largest part of the T/C housing seems to be cast iron.

Thanks for your help guys,
72longbed

Hope this worked?

454_72_4X4 · 01-06-2005, 02:45 AM

That's a 203 alright.
I don't know why the speedo output is towards the right side though. Could be the output housing has been rotated at one time, or is that even possible?
I'm not very familiar with the 203's.

Just my opinion but I wouldn't pack it home for it.

01-05-2005, 01:16 AM	#1
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Will This Fit A 72 4x4?? Found something today that I couldn't identify. This was in three separate pieces: 1. a TH400 transmission marked 1979 3/4 ton Suburban, 2. a transfer case crossmember that had a large aluminum adapter plate bolted to the front of it at a right angle to the bottom and a skid plate on the underside, 3. a transfer case that had the speedo cable input coming out of the passenger side of the rear tailshaft housing. This transfer case did not look like an older NP205, it had an aluminum output shaft housing? The owner of these parts said they were all together at one time? I don't know if this helps any but the truck that these parts were supposed to be going into (1971 4x4 frame) had a Dana 44 front axle with plates/caps over the hubs rather than manual locks?? I'm trying to figure out what the heck this setup is. Could it be stock 1979 3/4 ton Suburban 4x4?? Will this setup work in a 71/72 4x4 frame? Any help indentifying these parts would be great. Thanks, 72longbed Last edited by 72longbed; 01-05-2005 at 01:33 AM.

01-05-2005, 01:23 AM	#3
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	isnt a 203 chain driven and a 205 gear driven? thats what i was told, just clarifying __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

01-05-2005, 07:05 AM	#5
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	If the front axle did not have hubs but drive flanges then it was from a full time 4wd which would be a NP203 transfer case. It could all work in a 71 but the crossmember might need to be modified. I'm not sure if a 205 was available in a 79 3/4 ton burb w/ TH400, but if it had a SM465 it could have been. __________________ 1970 K25, 8' stepside bed 350/465/205 44 up front, 60 in the rear 4.10s rolling on 33" Dunlop MTs 1986 K5, 350/465/208 Dana 60/14 bolt from a cucv 36" Super Swampers TSL/SX 1983 K20 w/ CUCV axles, 350/700R4/208 sitting on 37" Goodyears 1986 M1031 6.2 diesel, TH400/NP205 locker in the rear and a LS in the front, all stock for now..... 1986 K30, 350/400/205 dana 60 and 14 bolt. I kept the drivetrain. Body/bad and chassis are gone. 1981 K30, 350/465/205 dana 60 and dually 14 bolt. Has a G80, and a flat bed. Going to replace the flat bed. 1985 K20, 350/400/208 10 bolt and SF 14 bolt. I wonder where I can find some 1 tons. Hmmmmm

01-06-2005, 02:13 AM	#6
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	Pics of T/C Here's those pics of the mystery (to me anyway) transfer case. There are eight pictures in all. After you determine what it is, give me your opinion as to whether it will be practical to put it into a 72 4x4 frame. I can get the crossmember that has the adapter on it and the TH400 that was linked to it. Seems to be a 27 or 32 spline input on the T/C. Numbers stamped on the smooth front area of the case are: K8R08 Numbers on the casting are: 346321 GM Largest part of the T/C housing seems to be cast iron. Thanks for your help guys, 72longbed Hope this worked?

01-06-2005, 02:45 AM	#7
454_72_4X4 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: N.E. MO Posts: 1,749	That's a 203 alright. I don't know why the speedo output is towards the right side though. Could be the output housing has been rotated at one time, or is that even possible? I'm not very familiar with the 203's. Just my opinion but I wouldn't pack it home for it. __________________ 72 C20 4X4 454 4 speed 89 Trans Am (was) 305 TPI 700r4 93 C1500 2wd Extended cab 350 700r4 98 Sonoma (TPI outa the Trans Am) 03 Yamaha 660 Raptor 03/04 660 Raptor 07 700 Raptor 85 Honda Odyssey

01-05-2005, 01:20 AM	#2
kwmech Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Colfax-California Posts: 8,483	Sounds like the t-case is a 203 - one heavy mutha--a 205 is the preferred choice. Have no idea about the x-member with the alum piece. Can you post a pic?

01-05-2005, 01:32 AM	#4
72longbed Account Suspended Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: PA Posts: 1,411	I'm gonna try to get back there tomorrow and take some pics. What I meant about T/C crossmember is the trans adapter was bolted to it. Is it true that some NP205's were used in 1979 3/4 ton Subs? Transmission is definitly a TH400. Appreciate all input on this, 72longbed



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