What's new
CK5
Register an account today to become a member! Once signed in, you'll be able to participate on this site by adding your own topics and posts, as well as connect with other members.

full time or converted 203 in the snow??

chicken joe

chicken joe

1/2 ton status
Joined
Apr 3, 2013
Posts
439
Reaction score
0
Location
Sheboygan, Wi
tihs is my question, among everyone running a 203 t-case, which is better full time 4x4 or a converted part time.

winter is coming, and im wondering if i should convert my 203 to part time with lock outs befor winter, or leave it alone.

thanks mike
 
Full time for snow or ice.
I have a part time in mine and I got the parts to make it full time again.
 
I just run locking hubs, no part time kit in the 203. Just unlock the hubsand put it in high lock for normal driving.

Winter roads lock the hubs and run high or high lock.

Plus I can't be bothered with lubrication issues with the t/c part time kit.

Been this way for 20 plus years, no issues
 
blazer74 said:
I just run locking hubs, no part time kit in the 203. Just unlock the hubsand put it in high lock for normal driving.

Winter roads lock the hubs and run high or high lock.

Plus I can't be bothered with lubrication issues with the t/c part time kit.

Been this way for 20 plus years, no issues
Click to expand...

While not the correct way to do things...this is how I ran my 77 K20 with the 203. Worst thing about it was trying to unlock the hubs. But that could have been because they were $h!tty to begin with.

To the OP, full time would probably be best. No need to unlock them once the roads are clear.
 
toomany said:
While not the correct way to do things...this is how I ran my 77 K20 with the 203. Worst thing about it was trying to unlock the hubs. But that could have been because they were $h!tty to begin with.

To the OP, full time would probably be best. No need to unlock them once the roads are clear.
Click to expand...

Yes full time is best for winter. If your not going to unlock the hubs you don't need them.

Unlocked hubs make for less binding and smoother for cornering.

It's not going to hurt anything with hubs unlocked on full time case so what's correct is what works for you.
 
The full-time system works just fine, the main reason people convert them is the old full-time transfer cases aren't as efficient as modern ones, and tend to burn more gas and cost power. For performance, full-time 4wd is great for snow.
 
the main reason im thinking about converting it is the mileage in the summer time, cus its imposible to get good mileage with winter blend, and im a little kid and still like to spin donuts and slide side ways in the snow:D

i guess im woried about how much fun its going to be in the snow with full time.
 
chicken joe said:
the main reason im thinking about converting it is the mileage in the summer time, cus its imposible to get good mileage with winter blend, and im a little kid and still like to spin donuts and slide side ways in the snow:D

i guess im woried about how much fun its going to be in the snow with full time.
Click to expand...

I put the part time kit in mine and I don't have the front driveshaft in yet, but I can tell you that it gets better mileage and "drives" better on the highway in 2 wheel drive. There was a bit of a sluggish feel to it in full time four wheel.

I don't know what it feels like in 4 wheel drive with the part time kit yet.
 
I had a completely different expirence with a 203 than most do it seems.

I could not tell one lick of difference after I converted it to part time.

I did not pick up any mileage at all. I kept close track cause I didn't and still don't believe some of the claims of 2 mpg or even 1 mpg.

I got 10 mpg before and 10 mpg after.

My experience with the 203 was so good that If I were going to run an auto in my crew cab I would very seriously think about putting a 203 in it instead of a 205 and running it full time
 
to be fair, when I was running the 203 in full time it was BEFORE I had the transmission and transfer case rebuilt.

As for the gas mileage I haven't closely tracked it...it's just that when I first got it, it drank a tank in no time...now it seems like I have driven three times as far and still have a half tank. I took it out for four hours last weekend and still have a half tank...

So I don't have any accurate data to base my statement on. I decided to put the part time in because it was so bad when I first got it...it would have been interesting to see how the full time drove after having the transmission rebuilt but I had the transmission guy put the part time kit in when he rebuilt the transfer case.

I'm not against the 203 at all...I guess I could measure my mpg in 4 wheel vs 2 wheel when I get the driveshaft put in.
 
as for snow, we only see it here maybe once every 15 years and when it does snow, it is wet...never a dry powdery snow like you guys get. And I don't care how many wheel drives you have, it won't help on ice...which is what lies beneath our snow. Snow chains work though...but nobody drives because they close the roads here when it snows...your insurance doesn't cover you when the roads are closed...
 
chicken joe said:
the main reason im thinking about converting it is the mileage in the summer time, cus its imposible to get good mileage with winter blend, and im a little kid and still like to spin donuts and slide side ways in the snow:D

i guess im woried about how much fun its going to be in the snow with full time.
Click to expand...

Its fun to drive around someone when there are 3 ft drifts on the road, and also see the line of cars behind you following you :D:D

Oh yes and 4 wheel drifts in the snow are fun. I had a rear locker with my 203 both part time and full time and lemme tell ya what. I would rather drive my blazer than my front wheel drive car.

I absolutely loved that 203 in the winter time.

I actually put the part time conversion in it because I got a front locker and wanted 2 low :D
 
I can't claim any increase in mpg. I only have locking hubs and no T/C kit installed.

No need to bind the driveline around corners when not needed. Lock it when I need it.
I don't live in the snow belt either.

I don't drive to get mileage either, my foots always in it.
 
with manual hubs and a part time kit, what happens if you lock the hubs and leave them locked...
then shift the transfer case from say...2 High to 4 High?

When and why do I unlock them? I am guessing, but unlocked the front wheels get to independently spin at their own rate?

For pavement driving is 2 High with hubs unlocked the suggested way?

What if you think you might need to shift into 4 wheel drive, can you leave the hubs locked and then not need to stop and get out to lock them? :dunno:
 
yes, if you leave the hubs locked it would function just like stock... those are always locked
 
In the winter I used to run my hubs locked all season just so 4wd was just a lever pull way....
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Posts

Top Bottom