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switch axel or switch transfer case?

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87blackblazer

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This question may seem crazy, but I need to figure it out before starting my build. I'm putting an L9H and 6L80E in my K5. The drivetrain came with an MP1225 (new model, manual t-case), but it's driver side drop.

Would you recommend switching the t-case to an NP205 or switching the 10 bolt to a Ford D44 HP? Cost and resulting durability/functionality are the biggest factors. I don't anticipate huge tires and it will mostly be a daily driver.

If I switch the t-case, I've been told that I need the 32 spline long input shaft round pattern 205 from behind a TH400. What trucks and years were those OEM? Will I need any adapter or is just a straight bolt-on?

Thanks,
Chris
 
Skip the NP205. They are heavy, loud, high geared, shift like ****, and unnecessary for a daily driver. I would look for an NP208 from a CUCV. One of them would work, I assume.

Martin
 
sounds like you have a nice powerplant. It will make the engine computer happiest if you kept all of the original drivetrain components intact. I would keep the tcase that's in it, and pick up an axle assembly with the driver side differential. They are commonly found in 78-79 bronco's and pickups. There are earlier fords with the correct axles, but they are usually equipped with drum brakes. It's probably easy to convert the drums to disc.
 
ChickenRammit said:
sounds like you have a nice powerplant. It will make the engine computer happiest if you kept all of the original drivetrain components intact. I would keep the tcase that's in it, and pick up an axle assembly with the driver side differential. They are commonly found in 78-79 bronco's and pickups. There are earlier fords with the correct axles, but they are usually equipped with drum brakes. It's probably easy to convert the drums to disc.
Click to expand...

I agree with half of this. Swap the front axle. But don't use that one.

There are 2 axles to look for.

73-77 f100/150. This will have welded on radius arm mounts.
77.5-79 f250. This will have the h.d. 1/2" thick tubes.

78-79 f150/bronco axles have cast in radius arm mounts that can't be removed and is undesirable for this swap.

If you want to keep your chev brakes, just swap your knuckles out and stub shaft onto the ford axle. Easy peasy.
 
Actually a 1990 or 1991 K5 or Suburban NP241 would work and have an electric speedometer, right?

Martin
 
For just about any transfer case to work with just about any type of computer

http://www.jagsthatrun.com/SpeedSensors_Order.html

As far as that goes I would swap in a 44 from a Ford

1beatK5 is right, get the wrong year and you will have cast in Cs

Any high pinion f-250 will be leaf springs though. So those are easy.

Look careful if its coming out of an F-250 60s made their way under there more than you think
 
1BEATK5 said:
I agree with half of this. Swap the front axle. But don't use that one.

There are 2 axles to look for.

73-77 f100/150. This will have welded on radius arm mounts.
77.5-79 f250. This will have the h.d. 1/2" thick tubes.

78-79 f150/bronco axles have cast in radius arm mounts that can't be removed and is undesirable for this swap.

If you want to keep your chev brakes, just swap your knuckles out and stub shaft onto the ford axle. Easy peasy.
Click to expand...

You know the Ford axle specs way better than I do.

I agree all day. Get the appropriate front axle, and swap the Chevy knuckles onto the Ford D44 C's
 
Here's what I've learned from this thread so far (thanks for the many replies):

Optimal axle: Dana 44 high pinion from a Ford w/ welded on radius arms

The 1973 - 1977 F100/F150 will have welded on radius arm mounts.

The 1977 1/2 - 1979 F250 will have heavy duty 1/2" thick tubes. We have to be careful because a lot of the F250s had 1960 axles swapped into them.

The 1978 - 1979 F150/Broncos have cast radius arm mounts that can't be removed and is undesirable for this swap.

To keep the chevy brakes, just swap your knuckles out and stub shaft onto the Ford axle.


Now...

What ratios (front and rear) to use? Assume 35" tires and daily driver.
 
87blackblazer said:
The 1977 1/2 - 1979 F250 will have heavy duty 1/2" thick tubes. We have to be careful because a lot of the F250s had 1960 axles swapped into them.
Click to expand...

That is the one part you got wrong. Some of the those 3/4 tons had Dana 60's from the factory. I can see one out my bedroom window (can't get the guy to sell it to me....). I also bought a complete running F250 last year for $800 that had a high pinion Dana 60 in it, so they are out there.

He was saying that you'll be fine with the Dana 44 out of one of them, but that it would be even better if you stumbled across a Dana 60 instead.

Martin
 
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