NP203 vs NP205 - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jec · 07-07-2005, 12:28 PM

What is the best way to distinquish between these two (2) transfer cases?

I believe I have an SM465 in front of one of these and the output flange on the transfer case is a flange with a large nut in the center.

Are both of these cases gear driven?

bouncytruck · 07-07-2005, 12:41 PM

The NP 205 has a round access cover in the middle of the back of it. It is about 2" around with 3 bolts.

The NP203 is a chain driven, full time 4wd case. There are kits available to make them part time. The 203 isn't considered as strong as the 205 and they are heavier. If you have apart time kit in it, you need to put the truck in 4wd once in a while because they use the chain to bring the oil up to the top of the case for lubrication.

jec · 07-07-2005, 12:50 PM

Thanks bouncy, I am assuming the NP205 is gear driven. Is this correct?

What is the purpose of the 2" access cover?

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-07-2005, 01:15 PM

the 205 is gear driven. Here's the back of a 205:

ryan68 · 07-07-2005, 02:32 PM

The 205's are gear driven and about 12" long with an short output. The NP203's are about 22" longwith a gear driven reduction box but is chain driven with a long aluminum output and this transfer case is actually 4 pieces bolted together.

toroflow · 07-07-2005, 03:14 PM

Its funny though, all the current transfer cases, even those used in the big Dodge and Ford diesel trucks use a chain drive case. These current chains are about 1/2 the size (in width) of the NP203's chain....in other words, saying the 203 is weak is like saying that a 205 is weak, it just aint so!!!

**JIMs70GMC** · 07-07-2005, 04:59 PM

I believe they meant the 203 is weaker than the 205.

bouncytruck · 07-07-2005, 05:33 PM

I definately didn't say the 203 is weak, just weaker than a 205. You won't find a lot of rock crawlers running a straight 203 (although they do use them for doublers.) I have a 203 in my '69 and the stock 205 in my '72. I had the pleasure of dropping the 203 from my '69 once. I was heavy & awkward.

toroflow · 07-07-2005, 06:14 PM

next time you need to drop a transfer case, or better yet, a tranny & transfer case combo, do what I do....place a cherry picker/engine hoist in the open passenger side door, with the boom extending inwards, with the end (hook) over the transfer case shifter hole, drop a chain down through the hole and bolt it around the combo at the adapter, tighten up the slack on the picker, unbolt the crossmember bolts, and lower away!!! Works great!! I been doin em like this for 20 years!!!

Superron21 · 07-07-2005, 10:19 PM

what i hate about new trucks ('88 & Up) is that all the trans/transfer case setups are aluminum, if you roast a bearing, the case is probably scrap gimme cast any day

shilo · 07-08-2005, 02:30 AM

I got a 208 (aluminum, chain driven) in my chevy and its taken a beating with no poblems. However ive seen them break, usually from beign bottomed out by the front drive line or being high centered. Ive also seen 203 break chains and 205 strip gears. I guess its just how hard you like to 'wheel. The t-case in my '03 dodge has held up to four wheel drive lauches at the drag strip with over 750 ft lbs at the wheels. high 15's. with 35 inch tires. its chain driven and aluminum. anything can and will break when you start to play with the big boys.
live by this: "If you want to play, You got to pay"

bouncytruck · 07-08-2005, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toroflow

next time you need to drop a transfer case, or better yet, a tranny & transfer case combo, do what I do....place a cherry picker/engine hoist in the open passenger side door, with the boom extending inwards, with the end (hook) over the transfer case shifter hole, drop a chain down through the hole and bolt it around the combo at the adapter, tighten up the slack on the picker, unbolt the crossmember bolts, and lower away!!! Works great!! I been doin em like this for 20 years!!!

Not a bad idea. Even easier with the top off the K5!

**tnblazerk5** · 07-08-2005, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bouncytruck

I definately didn't say the 203 is weak, just weaker than a 205. You won't find a lot of rock crawlers running a straight 203 (although they do use them for doublers.) I have a 203 in my '69 and the stock 205 in my '72. I had the pleasure of dropping the 203 from my '69 once. I was heavy & awkward.

and if you using a 203 for a doubler remember that just the front half of the 203 is used its the part without the chain so all you are getting is high and low 2 wheel drive part

Superron21 · 07-09-2005, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shilo

I got a 208 (aluminum, chain driven) in my chevy and its taken a beating with no poblems. However ive seen them break, usually from beign bottomed out by the front drive line or being high centered. Ive also seen 203 break chains and 205 strip gears. I guess its just how hard you like to 'wheel. The t-case in my '03 dodge has held up to four wheel drive lauches at the drag strip with over 750 ft lbs at the wheels. high 15's. with 35 inch tires. its chain driven and aluminum. anything can and will break when you start to play with the big boys.
live by this: "If you want to play, You got to pay"

some new vehicles have carbon fiber drive shafts too, same thing helicopter rotor blades are made of, my 1968 GMC 3/4 ton 4x4 Burb was equipped with a noisy rockwell t-case,( T221?) a tried and true off road veteran that has lugged around my 6200 pound beast for nearly 40 years guess we'll see how many 208's are around after 40 years!

The MASTER has spoken

07-07-2005, 12:28 PM	#1
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	NP203 vs NP205 What is the best way to distinquish between these two (2) transfer cases? I believe I have an SM465 in front of one of these and the output flange on the transfer case is a flange with a large nut in the center. Are both of these cases gear driven? Last edited by jec; 07-07-2005 at 12:30 PM.

07-07-2005, 12:41 PM	#2
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	The NP 205 has a round access cover in the middle of the back of it. It is about 2" around with 3 bolts. The NP203 is a chain driven, full time 4wd case. There are kits available to make them part time. The 203 isn't considered as strong as the 205 and they are heavier. If you have apart time kit in it, you need to put the truck in 4wd once in a while because they use the chain to bring the oil up to the top of the case for lubrication. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-07-2005, 01:15 PM	#4
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	the 205 is gear driven. Here's the back of a 205: __________________ 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

07-07-2005, 02:32 PM	#5
ryan68 Certified Chevy Man Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: Tucson, Arizona, United States Posts: 2,053	The 205's are gear driven and about 12" long with an short output. The NP203's are about 22" longwith a gear driven reduction box but is chain driven with a long aluminum output and this transfer case is actually 4 pieces bolted together. __________________ 68 Chevy CST (327,TH400) 3/5 drop lots of fun stuff 71 Suburban 4x4 (350,TH350) 7" lift 37's, D44/14 bolt and other sorts of goodies, lockers front and rear, flexes 40", 895 RTI score Check out my web site!!! http://www.geocities.com/cst68chevy/

07-07-2005, 03:14 PM	#6
toroflow Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 103	Its funny though, all the current transfer cases, even those used in the big Dodge and Ford diesel trucks use a chain drive case. These current chains are about 1/2 the size (in width) of the NP203's chain....in other words, saying the 203 is weak is like saying that a 205 is weak, it just aint so!!! __________________ Ken '60 GMC 3/4T 4x4 '60 GMC Suburban 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4

07-07-2005, 12:50 PM	#3
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	Thanks bouncy, I am assuming the NP205 is gear driven. Is this correct? What is the purpose of the 2" access cover?

07-07-2005, 04:59 PM	#7
JIMs70GMC user # 2756 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Chesapeake, Virginia Posts: 4,612	I believe they meant the 203 is weaker than the 205. __________________ 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

07-07-2005, 05:33 PM	#8
bouncytruck SKINNY TIRES RULE! Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Bothell, WA Posts: 11,049	I definately didn't say the 203 is weak, just weaker than a 205. You won't find a lot of rock crawlers running a straight 203 (although they do use them for doublers.) I have a 203 in my '69 and the stock 205 in my '72. I had the pleasure of dropping the 203 from my '69 once. I was heavy & awkward. __________________ bouncytruck 1972 K5 The Hauler 1994 K1500 Suburban The Daily2010 Kia Soul Wife's Ride2014 Fiat 500L

07-07-2005, 06:14 PM	#9
toroflow Registered User Join Date: May 2005 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 103	next time you need to drop a transfer case, or better yet, a tranny & transfer case combo, do what I do....place a cherry picker/engine hoist in the open passenger side door, with the boom extending inwards, with the end (hook) over the transfer case shifter hole, drop a chain down through the hole and bolt it around the combo at the adapter, tighten up the slack on the picker, unbolt the crossmember bolts, and lower away!!! Works great!! I been doin em like this for 20 years!!! __________________ Ken '60 GMC 3/4T 4x4 '60 GMC Suburban 4x4 '64 GMC Suburban 4x4

07-07-2005, 10:19 PM	#10
Superron21 DONT TRY THIS AT HOME! Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 119	what i hate about new trucks ('88 & Up) is that all the trans/transfer case setups are aluminum, if you roast a bearing, the case is probably scrap gimme cast any day

07-08-2005, 02:30 AM	#11
shilo Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Grand Junction , CO Posts: 602	I got a 208 (aluminum, chain driven) in my chevy and its taken a beating with no poblems. However ive seen them break, usually from beign bottomed out by the front drive line or being high centered. Ive also seen 203 break chains and 205 strip gears. I guess its just how hard you like to 'wheel. The t-case in my '03 dodge has held up to four wheel drive lauches at the drag strip with over 750 ft lbs at the wheels. high 15's. with 35 inch tires. its chain driven and aluminum. anything can and will break when you start to play with the big boys. live by this: "If you want to play, You got to pay" __________________ 71 swb 4x4, 37" Iroks, t400/205 496 77 CJ-7, Narrowed Dana 60 Lockrite, 14 Bolt Spool, 4.56 gears, 39.5" boggers. 360 t-18/d20



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