NP205 T case in a 79 auto swb 4x4 K10

[bufmatmuslepants]

i found a working used NP205 T case for $225 and want to swap it for my NP203 thats in my truck right now (it works fine i just dont wanna always be in 4 wheel drive), will it bolt right up or do i need new driveshafts because its a different length? if someone could let me know asap id appreciate it cuz i wanna buy it soon. thanks.

[snj8198]

are you running a stick or auto? would be either a sm465 or th350. either way you'll need the appropriate adapter and female coupler for the swap. plus once you install the 205 you'll need to address your driveshafts and swap your axle flanges for lock-outs. -steve

[bufmatmuslepants]

im running a auto turbo 350, with the stock 12 bolt in the rear and dana 44 in the front. its got the stock 350 4 barrel and is a completely stock truck, and is regular cab short bed 4x4. is $225 for a working NP205 a good deal? and how much woudl the other parts needed to do the swap cost because i am kind of on a budget until i sell my LT1 at home and all my other parts.

[jeffspower]

The price is fair, but cheaper can be found. Make sure the adapter isn't cracked anywhere, and that the drive coupler splines are not worn bad. You need the shifter with it also. Front shaft will need shortened, should run in the 50-$75 range to have done- providing that both have the same type CV joint at the transfer case end. There are 2 types, Spicer (small "bowtie" with 5/16" fine thread mounting holes) and Saginaw which has a large circular flange with 7/16" pass- thru bolt holes. On the rear shaft, providing the 205 has a fixed yoke and it is also out of a 1/2 ton (1310 joint) and not a 3/4 ton (1350 joint), the shaft will need retubed for lengthening. Depending on the tube size, plan on 150+ on it. It would be cheapest to find one with the correct u- joints (with a slip yoke that doesn't have worn splines) out of a longbox & have it shortened. Or, even better yet, the shafts you need out of a donor shortbox 205 4x4

[bufmatmuslepants]

this is starting to sound like alot more money than i had anticipated. i recently read somewhere online that theres a kit you can put on a NP203 to eliminate the differential and allow it to work like a part time case so i can run it in 2wd. does anyone know where i can find this and how much it costs? i just dropped alot of money on 2 speeding tickets and the budget is tight.

[jeffspower]

Mile Marker & probably a few others make them. Some parts stores can order it. Online 4x4 parts suppliers sell them. I used to put them in frequently, years ago when there were alot of them on the road as daily drivers. It's not hard to do, but pay attention to the instructions. There is a bunch of needle bearings that fall out when you tear it apart. If you go in too far by accident, even more needles fall out- and into the bottom of the case. The output shaft end play has to be adjusted with shims sometimes. Too loose= clunk clunk. Too tight= damage. IMO, save your money for a 205. I don't like the 203. Super heavy, chain to fail, junk shifter setup that's obsolete, etc.