85jimmy3/4ton
Registered Member
i have a th400 that is backed by a 208 t/c i can get a 205 out of a pickup with a sm465 (i think) manual trans. is this swappable, if so what do i need to complete the 208 to 205 swap?, thanks, Chris
CK5
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205 t/c on to replace a 208
- Thread starter 85jimmy3/4ton
- Start date
wasted wages
1 ton status
I think the 205 behind a 465 is 10 spline...and the T-400 is 32 spline ..
There maybe different year 465/205 that fit ? ( not sure )
I'm just going off of what I have in my garage....
There maybe different year 465/205 that fit ? ( not sure )
I'm just going off of what I have in my garage....
Mike D
1/2 ton status
I think around 1986 the M465 used a 32 spline output shaft when mated to a NP205. A lot of tow (wrecker) trucks used TH400 with a NP205 transfer case. The transfer case ran a hydraulic pump the wrecker used to pick up and winch the tow vehicle. The correct 205 and adapter is available in many junk yards - you just have to call around. Also look thru other CK5 forums. I have seen a few for sale here.
Wrench
1/2 ton status
Yeah, it depends on what year the donor truck is. If it's late '85 or newer, grab the adapter too and it should be a direct bolt up. If it's the older version, you would have to replace the input shaft on the 205 which included boring out the case for the larger bearing, and find the correct adapter ($$). In other words, the older version 205 isn't worth it for you.
Why don't you put the 465 in as well?
Why don't you put the 465 in as well?
mrwilliamsburg33
1/2 ton status
Hey, any new info on this project? I've got a 208 and wanting to get a 205 but really don't have any info on where to start. Anything you can share will help!
All 465 manual trannys from '81 on up are 32 spline as long as they have the 208 t-case behind them.
The K30's still used the 10 spline 465/205 combo up until '84.
Beginning '85, the K30's used a 32 spline 465 tranny and the 205's behind these could be swapped to the 400 automatic. Its just a matter of using the correct adaptor to mate them.
So look for a 205 from '85 up to '91 and you'll be set. Make sure the adaptor is the correct 6 bolt round pattern on the t-case side. The older figure 8 adaptors won't work.
What rig do you have and what year?
Judging by the pic in your avatar, I'm guessing an '80's K5.
If so, you've got the 27 spline stuff on the tranny and t-case.
If you retain your tranny, you will simply need to find an '80 and older 205 with 27 splines along with the adaptor and coupling sleeve.
I will let others chime in about the tranny as you will need a spacer to mate the 205 to the 700R4. I'm not sure how thick. I'm also aware of an output shaft swap in these trannys in order to get the 205 to mate, too.
mrwilliamsburg33
1/2 ton status
86 K5. I'm finishing up college and just bought this one this summer. I don't have a lot of time to put in to it. The reason I'm surfing around for a swap is my trusted mechanic told me he thought my chain in the 208 my be stretched (or something else might be wrong in the drivetrain) because it tends to hit sometimes when I put it in gear. I've noticed that if I start it up and don't let it warm up and let the rpm's come down, it hits harder. It even barked the rear wheels one day so something is up.
This is my first vehicle that I'm going to start doing stuff by myself with. I really don't like how it goes in gear like that so I want to fix it. I'd like to have a 205, but maybe another 208 or rebuilding this one might be okay too. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Any suggestions on reading material would help too, just on general maintenance or anthing else.
Thanks!
This is my first vehicle that I'm going to start doing stuff by myself with. I really don't like how it goes in gear like that so I want to fix it. I'd like to have a 205, but maybe another 208 or rebuilding this one might be okay too. Any help is greatly appreciated.
Any suggestions on reading material would help too, just on general maintenance or anthing else.
Thanks!
Could be a tranny issue.
The 700R4's in the beginning years were known as weak trannys. It was until around '87 that GM improved the 700's to perform, work and run better.
You could have the older design 700R4.
The 700R4's in the beginning years were known as weak trannys. It was until around '87 that GM improved the 700's to perform, work and run better.
You could have the older design 700R4.
mrwilliamsburg33
1/2 ton status
Any ways of identifying old vs new? What would be the issues of finding and installing a tranny already bolted up to a 205?
The T-case should have a tag riveted to it indicating the year,low gear ratio,and other info on it...usually located on the upper front of the transfer case facing the bellhousing..
I'm not real familiar or have associated much with the 700R4. Every one that I've come across during dismantling got tossed or rid of, quick. So I'm not sure what to tell you as far as identification. Maybe a tag somewhere with the date info? Not sure.
Another thing to think about depending on what you use the truck for is to swap the 700 for a 350 tranny. If you do a lot of highway driving and need the OD capabilities, then just forget the 350 swap. But if you do harder stuff, it may be easier just to find the 350/205 combo and swap them in.
Otherwise you may check into getting the 700 rebuilt by a reputable shop and leave the 208 alone. This combo can be very effective as long as you don't get carried away with hardcore activities. If you plan to just drive the truck and mosey on along, I'd just leave stuff alone and get the tranny rebuilt, replaced, etc.
When you swap stuff over, you get a little more involved with looking for the correct parts and pieces such as tranny/t-case crossmembers, shifters, etc. Being that your rig is an '86, the crossmember won't work for any 27 spline 205 because the last year for those in that spline count was '80 and the adaptors are a tall version that sits on a flat crossmember.
Sometimes its best to leave things alone and just get better parts that are either new or rebuilt.
Another thing to think about depending on what you use the truck for is to swap the 700 for a 350 tranny. If you do a lot of highway driving and need the OD capabilities, then just forget the 350 swap. But if you do harder stuff, it may be easier just to find the 350/205 combo and swap them in.
Otherwise you may check into getting the 700 rebuilt by a reputable shop and leave the 208 alone. This combo can be very effective as long as you don't get carried away with hardcore activities. If you plan to just drive the truck and mosey on along, I'd just leave stuff alone and get the tranny rebuilt, replaced, etc.
When you swap stuff over, you get a little more involved with looking for the correct parts and pieces such as tranny/t-case crossmembers, shifters, etc. Being that your rig is an '86, the crossmember won't work for any 27 spline 205 because the last year for those in that spline count was '80 and the adaptors are a tall version that sits on a flat crossmember.
Sometimes its best to leave things alone and just get better parts that are either new or rebuilt.
mrwilliamsburg33
1/2 ton status
That's more or less what I was thinking. This K5 isn't going to be doing any hardcore off road trips anywhere in the near future. It's main purpose is to be a good 4x4 in the winter and be able to make 150 mile trips back home when I want. So highway is the biggest you with a possible pull of a small fishing boat and camping. Just for estimation, what does a tranny rebuild usually cost? And if I have the tranny rebuilt, why not check the 208 out as well right? How hard is a t-case to rebuild? All gears and a chain right? Thats something that I might be able to do with the help of some friends. Might not be the best thing to start out on but I want to learn how everything works and goes together. I know a lot of it starts with years of experience, but you have to start somewhere.
Yep, pretty much hit the nail on the head.
700 rebuilds can cost different here and there. All depends on who does it. No two shops are the same. All depends on what you want done to it, too.
208 rebuilds aren't that complicated. You could do that yourself. I wouldn't worry too much about the chain since it sits idle more time than not. It should be ok to reuse.
700 rebuilds can cost different here and there. All depends on who does it. No two shops are the same. All depends on what you want done to it, too.
208 rebuilds aren't that complicated. You could do that yourself. I wouldn't worry too much about the chain since it sits idle more time than not. It should be ok to reuse.
