NP203 back to full-time question

[drummerbum]

First off I must say that I love this forum! Great source of info for people new to 4WD. I purchased my '79 K5 and it already has a part-time kit in it. I would like to return it to full-time but have not a clue what needs to be done. Is this a good idea, bad idea? Thanks.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

lock the hubs and put it in H loc?

 

[rufusbooth]

Well, it depends on what conversion kit was installed. But....why do you want to go back to full time 4wd? Most want part time for fuel savings and less wear and tear on drive train. Tell us your modivations and intended usage of the truck that way we can give you some good advice.

We can certainly help you convert it back but it will take some pictures and transfer case dissassembly.

Cheers,

Rufus

P.S Welcome to the Forum! You will love it here.

 

[drummerbum]

Im not sure what pt kit it has Rufus, I work with the fellow whom I purchased the K5 from and he is not sure either. I will only be using it for cruising the hills and some sand washes and stuff like that. Im not concerned with mileage because it will only be used for play. I just like the idea of the full time and would like to restore it. I know most people want to make it part-time, thats probably why I can find much info on returning it to full, lol.

 

[NorCal_Chris]

is your shift pattern

4x4 Low
2x4 low
Neutral
2x4 High
4x4 High

Or does it just have locking hubs in front...

stock pattern is this

Low Lock
Low Full-time
Neutral
High Full-time
High Lock

do this if you dont know.. Unlock the front hubs put it in High Full time.. or second click from back. if truck doesnt move than your Transfer case is stock. Then just run around with the hubs locked if you want 4wd

 

[drummerbum]

It is the stock case... low, low lock, n, high, high lock. So if I did the hub unlock test that would tell me if just my hubs were modified and not my tc? If so my tc will remain in the locked position and not act like an open diff?

 

[NorCal_Chris]

Most people when they say its been converted to part time, it just means they put manual locking hubs on the front. So yes.

Basically you have the stock TC, so if you want full time lock the front hubs. Then you can roll around in 4wd either locked or open.

 

[drummerbum]

Sounds like a plan, probably save me the hassle and cost of changing the hubs too, lol. I like! Thanks.

 

[rufusbooth]

Definitely run the transfer case test NorCal_Chris recommended. That will tell you if the differential inside the transfer case has been properly modified for part time.

The real advantage of full time 4x4 will be seen on dry pavement. Since the transfer case has a differential in it the front and rear tires are not directly coupled together. This allows you to run in full time 4x4 in high traction surfaces without binding up the drive train. In a low traction situation you want to "Loc" the center differential out. This allows full power to be transferred to both front and rear axles.

The disadvantage of full time 4x4 system is if you loose any part of your drive train you will not be able to move. This is the test that was suggested. If a drive-line, u joint, etc breaks (or you unlock a front hub) and you don't have the center diff locked the transfer case will send all the available power to the broken spot and you don't move.


Now, knowing all this. If the transfer case has been modified for part time properly (basically removing the center diff), leaving the hubs locked and running the truck in hiloc will put extreme wear on the drive train when driving on high traction surfaces.

If the transfer case has not been modified you really have nothing to worry about. I would just remove the front manual locking hubs and replace them with stock drive slugs.

I believe there are some for sale over in the classified section.

Yep!

http://coloradok5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=269580


If you find that the case has been modified and you want to go back to full time let us know and we can tell you how to identify what kind of kit was installed.

Cheers,

Rufus

 

[wazzabie]

All great responces. This thread is a+.

I agree the benifit to running 4x4 stock 203 with no kit is the ability to run 4x4 on any surface with out the unlock. This is ideal if you drive on patches of ice/snow and pavement.

I ran my 203 with a kit on snow/ice/pavement and it killed the t-case from the binding. I put in a 205 but am thing about go back to a stock np203 with no kit.

The stock np203 with no kit will be bad on gas and harder on the parts.