th350/203 to sm465/205 - Drive shafts?

[Spencer Wescott]

So I am very close to starting on the swap in my 77 k5 the only thing holding me up is a confirmation on drive shaft needs.

I figured
rear would be the same, u joints might change
front could come off k30 with 465/205

I just don't want to find myself needing custom rear shaft, or rare k5 option shaft

what has been your experience?

 

[dyeager535]

There are so many variations and variables I don't think I'd bet on the shafts being the same.

I just swapped from a 32 spline 465/205 to a 241, and the front driveshaft was a different length. I happened to get lucky and find the driveshaft off a later Suburban and it bolts right in. Luckily that only cost me $50, but an added expense I was not expecting. Can't comment on rear, since I'm going with a CV.

 

[imiceman44]

On t

So I am very close to starting on the swap in my 77 k5 the only thing holding me up is a confirmation on drive shaft needs.

I figured
rear would be the same, u joints might change
front could come off k30 with 465/205

I just don't want to find myself needing custom rear shaft, or rare k5 option shaft

what has been your experience?

On the front I am pretty sure it will be different but there are 2 lengths of fronts that I have seen, both I have.
You should be able to use the one that comes with the 205.
The rear might work depending on what your truck has ( lift no lift...)
If you want to know exactly, measure the setups from bellhousing surface to rear yoke on both, 1" difference might be fine more will be s problem.
It's easier to measure before you put them in the truck

 

[diesel4me]

I swapped in a NP-205 to a '77 K2500 I had,that came with a TH350 & and NP-203..
The rear drive shaft still fit fine,but the front one was now way too long,I lucked out when I found a friend who parted a '69 K-10 that had a shorter front shaft,I think it was 23" long,the original front shaft for the NP-203 was closer to 27" long...

I do not know what the '69 K10 had for a transfer case,could have been a NP-205 or a Rockwell T-223 maybe,it was missing..
I looked in my GM parts manual and the '69 was a one year only front shaft too,I guess they changed to the 27" one after the 70's..

All I know is its probably more likely than not at least one shaft will be different when you swap different transfer cases in,or transmissions..I've yet to see one conversion that didn't need one of the shafts altered to fit really..