Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

k14burb · 04-15-2009, 02:37 AM

I just bought a divorced NP205 from an older Dodge and have plans to replace the leaky, noisy clapped out 221 in my '66 burb. Any tips you guys have on this? It's set up for the 1310 joints, and the one piece rear shaft should make it fairly simple. I'm keeping the sm420, I just need to figure out the mounts and shifter. My yokes and Us are pretty worn as well, so It needs a complete makeover. Ideas/expierences?

**Yukon Jack** · 04-16-2009, 04:51 PM

If you can, post up some more pics of how the divorced Rockwell is suspended. How was the NP205 suspended? I don't have any experience with divorced transfer cases but since you are just putting one divorced t/c in place of the other divorced t/c that shouldn't be too difficult. The transfer cases are different lengths but the short shaft from the tranny to the t/c should be where you can address the length issue.

I'm in the process of swapping a married Rockwell for a married NP205. You'll note the Rockwell's rear output is very low, while the NP205's is high, that will cause you a little rear driveshaft length issue I would imagine.

I don't know how the front output compares for the two divorced cases, but here are dimensions from my married units for you to at least compare. The NP205 is an early Chevy unit, not sure how different the Dodge one will be.

I'm very interested in watching your conversion and learning more about the divorced units.

1969 GMC · 04-16-2009, 10:12 PM

i've seen people take divorced cases from dodges and take the whole crossmember that holds the case in those trucks. i think chevy framerails are wider, so you may have to lengthen it, but it will probably be the best, outside of just custom fabbing a crossmember out of tube.

fixie · 04-20-2009, 04:45 PM

Just did this very thing in my lwb stepside i will get some pics of the mounts i built and post up tomorrow. I didnt have the 221 case with my truck but it came with a 72 np205 and looks like it will work fine.

jeffspower · 04-20-2009, 06:21 PM

Most of the divorced Dodge 205's I have seen had the "big" input & both output shafts all the same. Meaning, the same yoke will fit all 3 shafts. So, if you wanted to go 1350 joints all- around, you just need 3 rear output yokes from the rear outputs of 3/4 ton Chevy/ GMC 205s. Possibly even off the rear of a 203.

k14burb · 04-22-2009, 12:45 AM

Thanks for the replys. The new 205 should be here by next week. Hey fixie, did you keep the divorced setup?

04-15-2009, 02:37 AM	#1
k14burb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: So. NV. Posts: 154	Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell I just bought a divorced NP205 from an older Dodge and have plans to replace the leaky, noisy clapped out 221 in my '66 burb. Any tips you guys have on this? It's set up for the 1310 joints, and the one piece rear shaft should make it fairly simple. I'm keeping the sm420, I just need to figure out the mounts and shifter. My yokes and Us are pretty worn as well, so It needs a complete makeover. Ideas/expierences? __________________ ‘66 Suburban 4x4 LQ4/4L80e Dana 60’s ‘67 Camaro RS/SS convertible 350/700r4 ‘74 K10 Stepside 402/TH350

04-16-2009, 04:51 PM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,686	Re: Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell If you can, post up some more pics of how the divorced Rockwell is suspended. How was the NP205 suspended? I don't have any experience with divorced transfer cases but since you are just putting one divorced t/c in place of the other divorced t/c that shouldn't be too difficult. The transfer cases are different lengths but the short shaft from the tranny to the t/c should be where you can address the length issue. I'm in the process of swapping a married Rockwell for a married NP205. You'll note the Rockwell's rear output is very low, while the NP205's is high, that will cause you a little rear driveshaft length issue I would imagine. I don't know how the front output compares for the two divorced cases, but here are dimensions from my married units for you to at least compare. The NP205 is an early Chevy unit, not sure how different the Dodge one will be. I'm very interested in watching your conversion and learning more about the divorced units. Attached Images __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14 Last edited by Yukon Jack; 04-16-2009 at 04:54 PM.

04-16-2009, 10:12 PM	#3
1969 GMC Registered User Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: The Rubber City Posts: 5,498	Re: Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell i've seen people take divorced cases from dodges and take the whole crossmember that holds the case in those trucks. i think chevy framerails are wider, so you may have to lengthen it, but it will probably be the best, outside of just custom fabbing a crossmember out of tube. __________________ 1969 GMC K2500 1996 Honda Accord 2007 Kawasaki KLR 650

04-20-2009, 04:45 PM	#4
fixie Registered User Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Swartz Creek Michigan Posts: 19	Re: Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell Just did this very thing in my lwb stepside i will get some pics of the mounts i built and post up tomorrow. I didnt have the 221 case with my truck but it came with a 72 np205 and looks like it will work fine. __________________ If it Aint broke tear it apart anyway

04-20-2009, 06:21 PM	#5
jeffspower Well, Whoop-dee-do! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Easton, Mo. pop.- me & scarcely a few others Posts: 2,302	Re: Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell Most of the divorced Dodge 205's I have seen had the "big" input & both output shafts all the same. Meaning, the same yoke will fit all 3 shafts. So, if you wanted to go 1350 joints all- around, you just need 3 rear output yokes from the rear outputs of 3/4 ton Chevy/ GMC 205s. Possibly even off the rear of a 203. __________________ '68 GMC shortbox 4x4 350/SM465/T221- bought it in '83 SOLD '72 K20 500 Cad/TH400/NP205 SOLD '92 Chevy 2500 6.5 mech TD 4L80E crusty daily driver '72 Monte Carlo... sweet low mile toy '11 Dodge Challenger IE 392 6spd... midlife car

04-22-2009, 12:45 AM	#6
k14burb Registered User Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: So. NV. Posts: 154	Re: Swapping a 205 for a Rockwell Thanks for the replys. The new 205 should be here by next week. Hey fixie, did you keep the divorced setup? __________________ ‘66 Suburban 4x4 LQ4/4L80e Dana 60’s ‘67 Camaro RS/SS convertible 350/700r4 ‘74 K10 Stepside 402/TH350



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