208 to 205 swap

[Weitzracing_369]

Hi everyone I'm new to this site and love it. I own an 86' 4x4 with the factory 700r4 and 208transfer case (round bolt pattern) and slip yoke. I have a 350 turbo and 205 case bolted together in back of garage with the "race track bolt pattern" non slip yoke. I am looking to go with the 700r4 and 205 combo. Is this possible with what I have? (The reason I am looking to do this is because my truck is lifted and the 208 is making lots of noise, assuming a bad chain. Any suggestions?

 

[MadOgre]

Do you have the cross member for that th350/205 set up?

Use the 205 and the race track adapter on the back of the 700r4. The th350 and 700r4 both use 27 spline out put shafts and both have the same rear bolt pattern.

You also need the floor shifter from the 205 set up.

 

[kleedus]

a 700r4 has a longer output shaft than a 350

you can use a spacer and not sure but I think the 700r4 shaft can be cut to fit

http://offroaddesign.com/catalog/700r4spacer.htm

 

[HotRodPC]

Yep, you'd have a run a spacer to make it work.

I've had the same opportunity you do since I also have a Th350/NP205 combo and not wasn't to give up my OD. So, I'll just toss my opinion out there. The whole purpose of going to an NP205 is obviously for strength. Otherwise, there is no other reason to want to go NP205. NP208 is a much lighter unit, which is a plus and it also has a deeper crawl ratio in 4Low. So other than strength what other advantage does the NP205 bring to the table?

I came to the conclusion, using the "Weak Link" theory, there really is no reason to run the NP205 behind a 700r4 when the NP208 is actually even more reliable and stronger than the 700r4, so if the 700r4 can handle the abuse I'm giving it, then so can the NP208 and the NP208 even has a better chance of helping out the 700r4 so I chose to keep what I had and not have to deal with any driveshaft or crossmember mods. Just something to think about.

 

[Weitzracing_369]

Great points here. My truck is "all show" at the moment with 3/4 ton axles, 5.13 gears and 12" superlift and 44's. This seemed like a great idea at the time when I was 19. Ten years later, I'm over it and I want my truck to be usable again. I am looking at going to a 6inch lift and 35's. Hopefully with the 700r4 I can get by with the 5.13 gears and still be streetable. Obviously the 44s were the culperate in the 208 noise I'm having even though it wasn't driven much at all. And very true with the "weak link" theory. The 208 truck had 80,000 miles on it before I lifted it. So maybe I should just freshen up the 700r4 and the 208 and be just fine. I won't be off roading or beating the heck out of the truck

 

[HotRodPC]

Great points here. My truck is "all show" at the moment with 3/4 ton axles, 5.13 gears and 12" superlift and 44's. This seemed like a great idea at the time when I was 19. Ten years later, I'm over it and I want my truck to be usable again. I am looking at going to a 6inch lift and 35's. Hopefully with the 700r4 I can get by with the 5.13 gears and still be streetable. Obviously the 44s were the culperate in the 208 noise I'm having even though it wasn't driven much at all. And very true with the "weak link" theory. The 208 truck had 80,000 miles on it before I lifted it. So maybe I should just freshen up the 700r4 and the 208 and be just fine. I won't be off roading or beating the heck out of the truck

So there you go. I agree with that plan. 5.13's and 35's would be a great match up with the 700r4 IM0. You're 700r4 might even live a good life with the 5.13's.

With 35in tires, 5.13 gears and the 700r4 in OD with converter locked up, you'd be at just over 2400 rpm at 70mph.

 

[MadOgre]

Upgrade to a NP241 then.

 

[HotRodPC]

Ehhh, not so sure an NP241 is really an upgrade is it? Kinda like the 10 bolt /Dana 44 issue. One has one advantage over the other, so they're pretty much considered lateral. True the NP241C is a direct bolt in swap. The NP241C is just a smidge deeper ratio. Though he might find a deal on one ready to bolt in and that might be lower mileage.

 

[kleedus]

reasons to go to the 205 over a 208 besides strength
1- bolt on yoke
2- 208 shift fork is weak
3- 205 is shorter and helps with rear drive shaft angle
blazer with a 700r4/208 and 6'' lift has to much angle chews up u joints like crazy.
4- 205 has pto provision


I would go with the 205 to get the bolt on yoke with a 6'' and 35'' tires the strength couldn't hurt either.

I would never run a 208 with 44's even a pavement pounder would putalot of stress on a t-case

 

[Weitzracing_369]

I guess having the 208 rebuilt and put it back in sounds appealing because it would bolt right in. If I go 205 I'll need the spacer, lengthened driveshaft and a crossmember

 

[highdesertrange]

I hate slip yokes and feel they have no place on a 4x4. not a fan of the t350 or 700r for that matter. highdesertranger

 

[Weitzracing_369]

The 5.13 richmonds only have a couple thousand miles on them so those are staying, so I'll probably just end up buying a built stage 2 700r4. By the time I have my current one built I don't think I would be saving much $