Question: 203 conversion

[smitty2]

I've never owned a truck with a 203 t-case. Should I convert it from full time to part time or leave it full time? Is there a difference in the way it would steer? I like being able to engage 4 wheel drive from inside. It's an automatic trans. Thanks

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Part time will get you better fuel economy and will be easier on your front end parts (i.e. they will last longer).

You can still keep your full time hubs and hence you will still be able to shift into 4WD from inside the truck.

 

[abig84]

convert it. those things are garbage if you actually offroad. a friend of mine took a k5 blazer offroad that wasnt converted and that transfercase acts like a differential. so it sends power to whatever axle doesnt need it

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

convert it. those things are garbage if you actually offroad. a friend of mine took a k5 blazer offroad that wasnt converted and that transfercase acts like a differential. so it sends power to whatever axle doesnt need it

It will do that unless you shift the case into 4hi-lock or 4low-lock

 

[AZ79K5Project]

Convert it to PT, replace the slugs with Warn premium hubs and don't look back.

IMO - I really don't see a reason to convert it and leave it slugs for a typical truck. Slugs are much stronger - but you are running 1/2 ton gear I assume.

I always locked the hubs if I thought I was going to go out and needed 4WD or when I was in snow country. In the winter I kept the hubs locked. Daily driving - left them unlocked.


Some guys running D60's will leave the slugs rather than taking a chance of blowing a locking hub.

 

[Mudstud]

I would look for a 205 and swap it in- course that requires new shafts.

 

[abig84]

It will do that unless you shift the case into 4hi-lock or 4low-lock

how do you do that i ran a 203 for a while but it was converted to part time. do you just have to click it back once

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

how do you do that i ran a 203 for a while but it was converted to part time. do you just have to click it back once

A stock, unconverted 203 will have 4hi, 4 lo, N, 4hi-lock and 4lo-lock (I don't remember the exact shifting pattern.

4hi-lock and 4lo-lock actually lock up the center differential so that the front and rear axles receive equal power.

If you are in 4lo with a 203, it would be possible that only one tire is spinning. If you are in 4lo-lock, at least one front tire and one rear tire would spin.