Looking for a 4X4

[TX3GMC]

Hey guys I trying to find a good 4x4 to be a daily driver. What are the most important things to look at? Short Bed VS Long Bed? Also any pics would help just to get the year model differences thanks..

[Greenlee]

They are all good. However, I would avoid the full time 4wd np203 transfercase that was available sometime in the 70's. My favorite year is 1987, because I like the throttle body fuel injuection that was only available that year.

If you want heavy-duty, look for one with the full float 14 bolt rear axle, and for really heavy-duty look for one with a Dana 60 front axle. However, the Dana 60 is hard to find except in millitary trucks and crew cabs.

[Your41Plague12]

Originally Posted by Greenlee

They are all good. However, I would avoid the full time 4wd np203 transfercase that was available sometime in the 70's. My favorite year is 1987, because I like the throttle body fuel injuection that was only available that year.

If you want heavy-duty, look for one with the full float 14 bolt rear axle, and for really heavy-duty look for one with a Dana 60 front axle. However, the Dana 60 is hard to find except in millitary trucks and crew cabs.

Good advice, let me add to it a little bit. The NP203 chain-driven transfer case was available through the 70's in any 4x4 truck with an automatic transmission. If it was a manual transmission, it got the gear-driven NP205, which is the most sought-after transfer case for the 73-87 Chevy/GMC trucks. The axles you want (if you're looking for heavy duty) would be the full floating 14 bolt rear and the Dana 60 front, just like Greenlee said. The Dana 60 will be found in any 1-ton 4x4 truck from 76-87, and the 14-bolt full floating rear will be found in any 3/4 ton and 1 ton from 73-80, and any 1 ton from 81-87. If you're just looking for a truck to drive and not haul a lot with (or lift too high, for that matter), then a 1/2 ton should be fine for anything with 35" tires or under (or not towing too much). As for which truck to go for looks-wise, that's a matter of opinion. 73-80 had the round headlights and more squared-off front end, while the 81-87 trucks had rectangular headlights and a more tapered front end. The interiors differed from year to year, but to keep it simple 73-80 were mostly the same, 81-83 were mostly the same, and 84-87 were mostly the same.



Here's a picture of my 1983 K20. It has the quad headlight setup, whereas lower trim packages still had rectangular headlights but the turn signals weren't behind the grill; they were right under the headlights. Hope this helped!

[justinburnett]

How would you tell the difference between a 203 and 205 Tcase? What's better about the 205 besides the gears versus chain?

I'm partial to the pre-80 bodystyle myself, but a lot of people like the other way around so it's up to you. If you're just driving it around I'd look for a 1/2 ton short box, simply cause there's less weight and probably get better mileage. Also they ride a little smoother. Mine's a 3/4ton long bed cause I use it for hauling and towing crap, but it's bouncy as hell if it's empty. Have a little datsun for a commuter car. I get HORRIBLE mileage though, like 6 in town and 9 hwy, so keep that in mind too.

[Mattman2010]

Most of the time if the truck has manual/automatic locking hubs on the front axle it will be a NP205, unless they have converted the NP203 to part time. On the NP205 there is a small round plate on the back that has 3 bolts that hold it on, that is really the best way to tell if it is a NP205 or NP203. So if it has the circle plate with 3 bolts its a 205 and if it doesn't then it is a 203.

The only thing that makes the NP205 better than the NP203 other than the NP205 being gear driving is the fact that they are part time. But really the gear driving part is why the NP205 is so well liked.

[justinburnett]

K. haven't looked at the back yet, but I mine has manually locking hubs, so maybe i have the 205. I'd rather be working with gears than a chain, then again, it's made it 38 years whatever it is, so it can't be that bad.

[motornut]

look for a little tag on it
my 203 was converted has manual hubs
and the front drive shaft turns freely when hubs not engaged
was told this is how to tell

[Your41Plague12]

Here's a post from Rich Weyand over at FSC that might help you out. I'd go with the 205 if you have a choice.

Originally Posted by rich weyand

Both are cast iron. Both are heavy. Both are hard to break. NP205 is gear-driven, NP203 is chain-driven. NP205 is part-time only (2WD or 4WD locked, HI or LO range), NP203 stock is full-time (4WD unlocked (differential) or 4WD locked, HI or LO range), but many/most NP203s have been modded to defeat the differential action; a modded NP203 is also 2WD or 4WD locked, HI or LO range. When an NP203 has been modded, it can suffer oil starvation at the output shaft bearings because the chain feeds the oil galleries, so with a modded NP203 you should drive the first mile with 4WD selected (with hubs unlocked), then shift back to 2WD, which you can do on the fly. If the hubs are locked, there is no need as the front wheels will spin the chain for you.

Either is fine. Take the easy path. If you have to do mods to accommodate the NP205, just leave the NP203 and swap the tranny. If you can swap the whole thing without a lot of screwing around, that's fine as well.

Much more on NP203 vs. NP205 via search. Here's one: http://www.fullsizechevy.com/forum/a.../t-458014.html

Either will work just fine.

Rich

[D13]

Front hubs, jonts, and axles are where bad parts will cost you big bucks. Worst is when part time hubs are not locked completely in or out and eat themselves up. Take a knowlgeable 4x4 guy with you to look at these parts.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Your41Plague12

Here's a post from Rich Weyand over at FSC that might help you out. I'd go with the 205 if you have a choice.

thanks for the pointer

[TX3GMC]

Ok guy, tomorrow I am going to look at a 1982 Chevy SWB 1/2 Ton. I only have what the guy has told me but what would be the main things to look at as far as 4x4 goes? What is the easiest way to tell the np 203 and np 205.

Also does anyone have a VIN decoder for this year model just so I have an idea on original or not.

[Jonboy]

82 will most likely be a 208 case (aluminum case, chain drive, part time 4wd).

[str8axle55]

After the 203 was no longer in use you got the 208 or 205. The 208 is chain drive, decent all around case used in 1/2 or 3/4 tons, 1 tons got the 205`s, along with the Dana 60`s, and 14 bolts. I think the 208 came in around 81.