Shifting the 205

[akart]

Have a 205 transfer case 465 trans 1974 K20, put together rig w/1982 K 20 4:10 axles. With engine off does not want to shift into 4HI from 2HI. Start engine and still doesn't want to go. Put the clutch in and go to N in the T case and then it goes in 4HI and will go into 2 HI fine from there, but would be reluctant to go back to 4HI.
There must be a certain way of going this. Give me a hint.
New gear lube in the unit.
Ran a 208 a while back and it slipped in and out just fine.

[wildwilly4x4]

Shift it firmly and quickly, kinda a pop. They can be touchy to catch the detrnts at the right spot. Mine is auto, but its still tricky to pop it back into 2 hi. I sometimes have to put the tranny in gear, then back to neutral to get it shifted.

[landy]

205s are notorious for being hard shifting. I've had a few over the years and they've all been somewhat hard shifting.

You may have to creep forward or backwards, push in the clutch, and keep steady pressure on the lever to shift.

The NP208 is a chain-driven case and uses ATF, so compared to the heavy gear-driven NP205 with thick gear oil, it's shifts like a hot knife through butter!!

[jjzepplin]

Couple schools of thought on this but the gear lube could be wrong depending on the year of 205. Mine runs trans fluid.
I always get ruck running put in neutral and then shift trans. I understand some newer models have synchros to make things easier but older ones are just pop and go. If you put your truck in gear it will make it very difficult to shift the t-case. And could possibly damage it.

[landy]

What year is your NP205? I wasn't aware that ATF was ever used in the 205s.

[jjzepplin]

1972. I have a newer one also that was hooked to a 700r4 I think. It has the 4x4 indicator switch on it. I changed a few things around on it and I believe it also had red trans fluid in it.

[landy]

Hmm, that's interesting. My '72 owner's manual specifies gear oil for the transfer case. Where did you read that ATF is required for the transfer case?

[jjzepplin]

I can't remember exactly. I think it was a dealership. Anyway that was 16 years ago.

[akart]

Originally Posted by landy

What year is your NP205? I wasn't aware that ATF was ever used in the 205s.

No ATF on this unit,specs are 80W-90W ( I like Valvoline)