NP203 leaking. Replace or fix?

[Chris64]

I need to address the leaky elephant in the room. Luckily the only place my truck leaking (making it to the ground anyway) is the transfer case. It's an NP203 (full time 4wd/chain driven). It's leaking out of the output shaft area and the speedometer cable (which I'm guessing isn't good).

I don't really have a problem with it being FT 4wd and actually not having to get out to lock the wheels is sort of cool. I've not found anyone report the chain breaking. That said, the NP205 seems to be the more desired TC.

There happens to be an old (not as old as mine) NP203 for around $100 by my work. My thinking is I could buy that and do a rebuild on it at my pace and when done just switch them out without having to have the vehicle apart in the street (not allowed to be immobile). NP205's in my area are going for closer to $1,000. Then I'd need to figure out the shifting mechanism, assuming it bolts right up to what I still have to get lockers from my front wheels.

It seems obvious to me, but you all know way more than me. What would you guys do? I intend it to be mostly a street cruiser (maybe someday with a little more HP than now) and a little casual off-roading (in the desert).

 

[edgephoto]

I would take it apart and reseal it. The speedo adapter has a little seal in it. The output seal is most likely leaking due to a grove worn in the flange. You can replace the little speedo seal really easy. The output seal is pretty easy too. You want to get a kit that has a repair sleeve. Super easy to install the sleeve and they work.

 

[Chris64]

I would take it apart and reseal it. The speedo adapter has a little seal in it. The output seal is most likely leaking due to a grove worn in the flange. You can replace the little speedo seal really easy. The output seal is pretty easy too. You want to get a kit that has a repair sleeve. Super easy to install the sleeve and they work.

What do you think about buying a second TC just because it's available and local and $100?

 

[ali_c20]

Fix it. Get the 100$ 203 and build it to your needs. It's easy to work on the 203, no special tools required. You could add a 2wd kit while you're in it. When I swapped in a np205 (twin stick) in my K5 I needed an adapter between tranny and tc, manual locking hubs and had to lenghten the rear and shorten the front drive shaft. The np203 will serve your needs.

https://www.offroaddesign.com/transfer-case/np203-parts.html

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/mmk-501

 

[AuroraGirl]

What do you think about buying a second TC just because it's available and local and $100?

i would, simply because if its an np203 i think they are all compatible iirc, except for rare rare setups in the 70s , but gm and ford ones should have the same parts and work i think so you can work on it. I know they revised the fluid recommendation, and something about the chains had a change, and the lube circuit possibly changed. a part time kit is good but make sure you use it or "properly" part time so its always gets lubricated