350 turbo with 203. I want to keep my 350 turbo and get a 205 behind it? Please help.

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

BearKing

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2022
Posts
360
Reaction score
678
Location
Black Hills
First Name
Bear
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
400
I have a 1976 Step side with the 350 turbo with the 203. I want to put a 205 case on the 350 turbo. What do I need to look for in the boneyard? Thanks in advance fellas.
 

dvdswan

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 11, 2014
Posts
2,366
Reaction score
2,024
Location
Port Orchard, WA
First Name
Dave
Truck Year
1978
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
350
I don't remember if the tailshaft on the trans is different but it probably is because the mount is different. But you would need at a minimum the mount between trans and t/case and the t/case. I do know that a 1980 Blazer came with that combo if you ordered it with locking hubs.
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,192
Reaction score
5,096
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
It was an option for many years. You just need to find one attached to a 350 already. I think I have seen two or three trucks and at least one transfer case by itself for sale locally in the last week with that combo.
 

Turbo4whl

Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Oct 30, 2019
Posts
2,884
Reaction score
6,485
Location
Downingtown, PA
First Name
Wayne
Truck Year
1974
Truck Model
Jimmy
Engine Size
350
Couple things to think about. The rear drive shaft needs to be longer. The front shaft from the 203 will not match the 205. Both the 203 and 205 for a TH350 have the same spline count, 27.

Easiest would be locating a donner truck with all the parts you need. Check this for good info:

Off-Road, Click here
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
204
Reaction score
220
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I have exactly what you need if you're interested. Adapter, splined coupler, even the 205 input shaft if you need it
 

BearKing

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2022
Posts
360
Reaction score
678
Location
Black Hills
First Name
Bear
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
400
I have exactly what you need if you're interested. Adapter, splined coupler, even the 205 input shaft if you need it
I’m interested but how would I get it here?
 

BearKing

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2022
Posts
360
Reaction score
678
Location
Black Hills
First Name
Bear
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
400
I have exactly what you need if you're interested. Adapter, splined coupler, even the 205 input shaft if you need it
Do you know if the transmission crossmember is the same or will I need to locate one? I think it would be the same but I haven’t crawled under there to check.
 

ali_c20

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2016
Posts
1,026
Reaction score
1,388
Location
Austria
First Name
Alexander
Truck Year
1974, 1979
Truck Model
C20, K5
Engine Size
350, 350
I did the swap on my K5 th350 /np203 to np 205. Driveshaft length front and rear is different, crossmember is the same. Adapter, splined coupler etc. is needed.
Best would be go to a junkyard and get all the parts from a donor truck.
You could also call Off road design, I bought all my parts for the swap there. They are very helpful.
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
204
Reaction score
220
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
You will need to check the input spline on the transfer case. Most came from manual transmissions, 10 spline I think. Automatic I think is 27 spline. Do you already have an NP 205?
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
204
Reaction score
220
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
Weight of the adapter, sleeve, and NP205 input shaft is about 30 lbs, and will fit in a 12 x 10 x 8 box, so it can ship UPS. Not sure where you live, but you can look up Evansville IN to your location for the shipping cost
 

BearKing

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 13, 2022
Posts
360
Reaction score
678
Location
Black Hills
First Name
Bear
Truck Year
1976
Truck Model
K10
Engine Size
400
You will need to check the input spline on the transfer case. Most came from manual transmissions, 10 spline I think. Automatic I think is 27 spline. Do you already have an NP 205?
I don’t have a 205 case. It’s a 350 turbo attached is the factory 203.
 

Juggernaut

Full Access Member
Joined
Apr 11, 2021
Posts
204
Reaction score
220
Location
Illinois
First Name
Greg
Truck Year
78
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
350
I think the entire transfer case would be too expensive to ship. I know it would be too heavy for UPS. If you can find one locally and need the adapters, I can help you out
 

Br 549er

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2024
Posts
33
Reaction score
12
Location
Warroad Mn
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1980,1976,1982,1980
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
Sorry to bump into this old post but I’m wondering if it matters if donor parts came from a 1/2, 3/4, or one ton vehicle? Shouldn’t matter should it?
 

Strick

Full Access Member
Joined
Nov 25, 2020
Posts
1,150
Reaction score
2,766
Location
Dunn, NC
First Name
Harold
Truck Year
1979
Truck Model
C20 Crew
Engine Size
350
Shouldn’t matter should it?
The transmission output should be the same as long as you are using the TH350. The TH400 output is different as is the SM465 manual. The output shaft on the NP205 could be a fixed or slip yoke style as well. IF you had two trucks with the same wheelbase & TH350 then you should be able to use the NP205 and rear driveshaft from one to the other.
Welcome to the site; by the way. You should find some similar thread topics like this here also.

HS
 

Br 549er

Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2024
Posts
33
Reaction score
12
Location
Warroad Mn
First Name
Bob
Truck Year
1980,1976,1982,1980
Truck Model
K20
Engine Size
400
Thank you! I’m learning and appreciate your insight as well as others on here…
I’m just trying to decide which route I’d like to take on my project… currently have a 76 k25 gmc that I’ve removed the body and I have a 1980 gmc 1/2 ton pickup I want to use the body for the 76 frame…
Current drivetrain in the 76 is the original 4 speed with a NP205 and debating on whether I should convert to an automatic possibly and also put a crate 454 in for power… this leans me to a th400 transmission I’m thinking but that’s where I’m struggling on what exactly to look for to make that change… finding donor vehicle with what I need is doable I think but if it’s a half ton donor I’m guessing that would have a th350 transmission and not the th400…? I’m not dismissing the idea of a small block either but always liked the big block in this kind of setup… just going to be a driver really nothing more… fun to play
Thanks
 

Latest posts

Forum statistics

Threads
42,136
Posts
909,933
Members
33,636
Latest member
ehef
Top