1962 k20

[Dizzy 1]

Originally Posted by '63GENIII

Just a few pics for you. Sorry for the lack of a build thread on this but I made a few mistakes, a bunch of fixes that were too embarrassing to share on this great forum. FWIW, it works great now even with all of the trial and error to get to this point.

I pulled my 221 when it started getting a little loud. At the time, I didn't have a lot of time to source rebuild parts for it and I needed the truck back in service for some towing. Enter the Dodge 205.

If I could do it again and had more time, I would have tried to snag the crossmember for the 205 I got. Couldn't find one when I needed it (Murphys Law) so I went with Plan B.

I noticed that the stock crossmember for the 221 was roughly (I say that loosely) the right contour to match the 205s top hung mounting bosses.

With careful measuring I was able to install the 205 off center to the passenger side by nearly 3/4" which resulted in a nasty vibration that would come and go at will. It wouldn't ever survive like this without some sort of catastrophic failure that might have ended with a 14" driveshaft riding shotgun. Sketchy driveshafts are not something to be messed with as they will come undone at a moments notice and they have no sense of humor.

I didn't drive it much again until I did the spring swap at which time I wanted to correct the misalignment in the t case. I ended up slotting the original 1-3/8 holed in the crossmember which allowed it to be moved to the drivers side. I also welded and adjusting bolt into the crossmember to lock it into place. It is now within 3/16 - 1/4" of center and perpendicular to the frame.(which it wasnt before).

1st pic is 205 in 1st and wrong location
2nd is the driveshaft with the 221 and NV4500 combo (pre 205) - Note, I think Tim was right. The tube is like 3" long.
3rd is 205 in right location with adjusting / locking bolt in place
4th and 5th pics are of the mounting studs and rod coupling spacers

If you need any more pics or info just ask. It wasnt an easy swap but for me its been worthwhile. The 205 is just way quieter, runs cooler and I don't feel like Im abusing it during driving / towing like I did the 221.

Thx for all your help GENIII. I actually bought an entire 74 dodge w200 just for the tc. For $700 I couldn't pass it up. After reading your reply I'm hoping I can make use of the cross member and perhaps the drivelines as well the newer style Dana 44 and Dana 60 sometime down the road. I will definitely be picking your brain at times.
Posted via Mobile Device