‘75 suburban help

[Kmanrsss]

I am looking at a 75 suburban with a 400sbc and the np203 transfer case. Any reason to steer clear? I seem to remember the 400 being prone to cracking blocks and I dont know too much about the 203 transfer case. Planning on a family cruiser. Not planning on any real off roading. Small lift and 35’s are probably in its future. I think my concern is the 203 transfer case as I am not familiar with it. The body is in great shape and I am not a body guy so that seems more important then a mechanical part that I can swap out if need be.

[buffydores]

Originally Posted by Kmanrsss

I think my concern is the 203 transfer case as I am not familiar with it.

They're a heavy chain driven transfer case. Full time four wheel drive with a center diff lock. I drive a '78 K5 that we bought new with the NP203. They're a really strong transfer case. I've done lots of really stupid things with this truck and we've never had a problem. They're always compared to the part time gear driven NP205 of the same era, which isn't exactly apples to apples. People will tell you to install a part time kit. Don't do it. You don't gain much on fuel economy and oil no longer is distributed correctly inside. Also, use a non-detergent oil for the inside. We pro-actively rebuilt it about 10 years ago, but it didn't really need it. I've always liked having full time four wheel drive. It always feels sure footed when things go south.