Th400/np208 to sm465/np205

[NorthernMainer]

I found an sm465 for sale paired to an np205. My 82 is a th400/np208. Both setups have a slip yoke output on the transfer case.

Has anyone done this swap? I'm curious how much different the driveshaft lengths are if any.

I'd like to figure this out before driving half way across the state to buy that setup. I tried searching with no luck.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I found an sm465 for sale paired to an np205. My 82 is a th400/np208. Both setups have a slip yoke output on the transfer case.

Has anyone done this swap? I'm curious how much different the driveshaft lengths are if any.

I'd like to figure this out before driving half way across the state to buy that setup. I tried searching with no luck.

Driveshafts will both be different I believe.

Also being a slip yoke 205 I would verify it's not a synchro 205. Not really desirable. They are hard to find parts for and we're only available for a couple years.

 

[NorthernMainer]

Driveshafts will both be different I believe.

Also being a slip yoke 205 I would verify it's not a synchro 205. Not really desirable. They are hard to find parts for and we're only available for a couple years.

Its out of an 81 k30, thats all I know.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

Its out of an 81 k30, thats all I know.

You must be registered for see images attach

 

[NorthernMainer]

You must be registered for see images attach

That helped some, I did some more research, and if what I read was correct, if the transfer case has the figure 8 pattern then its most likely a 32 spline input, and non synchronized. I can't tell by the pic the seller put up.. but I also read that after 81 was when the option was available for a synchronized np205 in the k30. Maybe you can tell by this pic.. but I cant.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

That helped some, I did some more research, and if what I read was correct, if the transfer case has the figure 8 pattern then its most likely a 32 spline input, and non synchronized. I can't tell by the pic the seller put up.. but I also read that after 81 was when the option was available for a synchronized np205 in the k30. Maybe you can tell by this pic.. but I cant.

It may have only been a round pattern 205 that could be synchronized. A slip yoke 205 is less desirable as well as most would prefer fixed yoke, myself included.

Round pattern would be 32 spline, but 10 spline didn't stop till 84,

ORD and a couple other websites have all the info, I'd need a refresher to remember all the small nuances like that. Synchro 205's don't run through my mind very often lol

I copy and pasted their info a while back.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/transfer-case-info-for-oem-squarebodies.3477/page-4

 

[NorthernMainer]

It may have only been a round pattern 205 that could be synchronized. A slip yoke 205 is less desirable as well as most would prefer fixed yoke, myself included.

Round pattern would be 32 spline, but 10 spline didn't stop till 84,

ORD and a couple other websites have all the info, I'd need a refresher to remember all the small nuances like that. Synchro 205's don't run through my mind very often lol

I copy and pasted their info a while back.

https://www.gmsquarebody.com/threads/transfer-case-info-for-oem-squarebodies.3477/page-4

I appreciate the info. I think I'll still get it regardless. He's going to give me the driveshafts with it too which is cool Lol. I'm not a hard-core off roader anyway. If it is a synchro 205 ill just swap it out some day.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

I appreciate the info. I think I'll still get it regardless. He's going to give me the driveshafts with it too which is cool Lol. I'm not a hard-core off roader anyway. If it is a synchro 205 ill just swap it out some day.

I mean if he's got driveshafts all you gotta do is swap everything out. Maybe yokes on the axles or conversion u joints. As long as it's the same wheelbase.

Synchro 205's have always been rare and even more so now

 

[NorthernMainer]

I mean if he's got driveshafts all you gotta do is swap everything out. Maybe yokes on the axles or conversion u joints. As long as it's the same wheelbase.

Synchro 205's have always been rare and even more so now

Gotcha! He said he has a slip yoke rear driveshaft out of his SRW k30 that has a 205. Im going to try to get that, and the front shaft since I imagine thats different too.

 

[Strick]

Go get that cast iron greatness & start banging gears. I have a slip yoke NP205/SM465 in my 55 Chevy on 76 K20 frame. I pull trees and whatever else happens to hitch into the pintle-hook. No worries

 

[NorthernMainer]

Go get that cast iron greatness & start banging gears. I have a slip yoke NP205/SM465 in my 55 Chevy on 76 K20 frame. I pull trees and whatever else happens to hitch into the pintle-hook. No worries

Thats awesome!

 

[NorthernMainer]

I mean if he's got driveshafts all you gotta do is swap everything out. Maybe yokes on the axles or conversion u joints. As long as it's the same wheelbase.

Synchro 205's have always been rare and even more so now

It looks like I'm in luck! He sent me this pic this morning. I'm definitely going after it tomorrow.

 

[PrairieDrifter]

It looks like I'm in luck! He sent me this pic this morning. I'm definitely going after it tomorrow.

Noice!

 

[bucket]

It don't matter now, but if it were a syncro 205, I wouldn't be afraid to run it at all. Iirc, it's mostly less desirable just to the guys that want to swap in a 32 spline front output.

 

[Fat 454]

465/205 combo - running with the big boys now!.. I'd pick that up as fast as i could haul over there.
The 205 is a chunk of "indestructium" running a gear drive. Most others, like the 203 and 208 are weenie chain drives that hiccup when you load up with groceries.
ORD, Atlas, Novak, Advance and many other sites make all the parts and it is "The" set up for hard core off-road ( ie. all mechanical and can be fixed on the trail ). Stub shaft swap outs to change splines etc. are straightforward, plus you get to twin stick it. ( also if it is a synchro and you want to change it out, internal parts from any 205 OEM transfer case work F**D, D*DGE etc. ..
Get used to rowing the gears tho', only 3 useable street gears ( 465 has a low crawler #1 ), and potentially poorer gas mileage.
Upside is that you will be garaunteed to survive any zombie apocalypse, and will never lose money if you decide to re-sell it.