203 to 208 swap questions

[USSkoval]

First and most importantly, am I correct in assuming that the early 80's trucks could be had with the 350/208 combo?

Also, is there any way to keep a stock looking shifter when going from the 203 to 208? The 208's floor mounted shifter with the plastic console just doesn't look right in a 70's truck, IMHO.

 

[abig84]

yeah i was looking into it a while back i guess between 80-82 some chevys came with it but were rare.you might be able to rig up the 203 shifter to use on the 208 but unsure.. anything is possible

all i did was bring mine to a trans shop had a different output shaft put in and used a 700r4 adapter and np208

 

[pauly383]

You don't "need" the plastic console . Remove the knob and remove the plastic . Cover it all with a rubber boot ( find one that works or make one from inner tube ) . You may need to play with the hole size on the floor , or change the whole trans tunnel ( cut it shorter , but the front and side holes of the 80's rigs fits the 70's floor ) . And then just adjust the length of the shift rod , which is easy as pie .

 

[7387chevynut]

1981, and early 82 models came with the 350/Np208.....it wasnt used very long, because it was replaced by the 700R4 in 1982.

1970-1980 4x4 350 turbos will only bolt up to Np205's...and 203's. Because their output shaft is too short ( ie......thin 203 adaptor plate.......and internal coupler used with 205's)......the 81 350 turbo tranny had the longer shaft, which eliminated any coupler inside the adaptor.....or using a thin adaptor plate.

either swap out the output shaft for one out of a 2wd 350 turbo, which would have to be cut down an inch...or run a spacer.

Trying to use a NP203 lever..........on a Np208 could possibly be done....but you would have to mount the lever to the floor hump so it could Pivot on its own.....while shifting through the ranges. Factory Np208 levers have a cradle they mount in, and that in turn goes through the floor hump, which there is an Arm/bracket running off of it, which hooks to the 208's shift linkage.

It sounds as though you want to keep the interior stock to the 70's by trying to use the Np203 lever, which I can understand, but honestly, I would just use the Np208 lever/range box.

 

[pauly383]

I run a 208 shifter AND the whole 1983 setup right on the floor of my 75 truggy floor . You just need to trim the length shorter . Doesn't look all that bad with the plastic .

This is what it looks like under the shifter , easy to cover with a boot

 

[USSkoval]

Cool, thanks for the info. It was something I was considering because of low cost and I don't need the strength of a 205. Interior looks are important to me because this truck is more of a resto type project than anything else, but it does look like a stock looking boot would be no problem. It's just unfortunate the tranny needs to be torn down to to do the swap, making it less cost-effective. Still worth it though, as I do not like that big heavy 203 hanging off the tranny, especially since there are no support rods. Pauly383, is that the '75 tranny hump, or the '83?

 

[pauly383]

Thats the 83 trans tunnel cover sitting in the 75 floor . Only the rear is too long . 70's rigs have a shorter length trans tunnel cover .

( Gonna take it out soon and put it back in my 83 Blazer soon . The 93k2500 in my sig is coughing up its 350 tbi/4l60e combo for the 75 truggy , and I found a pass drop np241 with vss to go with it )

 

[mattman4x4]

Hi Pauly383,
I have a few questions since I am also swapping in a TH400/208 combo in my truck.
Where dose the wire go? Dose the plastic consol light up? Or do you have an indicator light on the dash?
Also do you have any pics looking down at the linkage? Are you running the brace form the T case to the bell housing?

Thanks
(sorry if this is hijacking)

 

[USSkoval]

My questions are answered, so don't worry about hijacking

In my '88, the shifter indicator is lighted, and there is also and indicator light in the dash.