Thanks for the help-But 1 more T-case ?

[Jesse Jaymes]

Appreciate the assistance given already. I posted yesterday asking about 203 ID and leaks and part time woes. I spoke with the local Tranny/T-Case pro who will be doing all of the work. He is trying to steer me into rebuilding and living with the 203. Stated that finding a GM 205 to bolt in would be almost impossible. And mentioned it would cost about $600-900 to get at a junkyard.

I do not want to beat a dead horse about local pricing, but I think that's quite high for a used T-case.

The Question-

In making a few calls, I've found at least 1 if not 3 GM 205's out of 70's-80's military trucks. Lady at the salvage stated that they were all deadlined with 60,000 miles, are in good shape, and were mated to 400 trannys.

Can we discuss what would be needed and how much of a pain it would be to get one of these into my 1974 Blazer with the current 203 mated to the TH350 tranny ?

 

[pauly383]

Get the transfercase , the adapter for a th350 , and then find another input shaft to convert the 32 spline th400 205 to 27 spline th350 .

Your going to need the driveshafts changed too , or at least modified , since the 80's ( didn't know we had millitary K trucks before the 80's ) 205's had slip yoke rear , and flat flange front .

Your 203 had regular yokes front and rear if it was made in 74 .

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Thanks. Still making calls. An Advanced Adapters type site stated that this is not the T-case swap for me to attempt. Said there are too many variables that need changed, and although possible, it would be up there over $1000. Thought I was onto something there. Several more calls have wound up with nothing.

I may have a line on a T-case out of a 1975 Chevy 3/4 w a T350 tranny. Guy doesn't know what it is and will look in the AM. I seem to be chasing my tail, and did not think it was gonna be that hard to find a direct bolt in.

Wasn't there a factory option that came with a TH350 and the 205 ? Or is that where I am coming up with the problem.

Again, I am trying to get the most bang for the buck, and am faced with the leaky 203, new seals, and the Milemarker for about $600 with labor and parts. VS. finding, rebuilding and installing the 205.

 

[Yobtaf]

If your not in a real hurry take your time and do some searching here and other places like craigs list. I waited and I found a rebuilt 0 mile th400, 205, torque converter, and crossmember for 600. And like other people said about the 203's in the other thread those are a dime a dozen. I have two of them in my back yard. one for th350 and one for a sm465. so they are out there just search here everyday. Heck I even found a partime shaft for 100, and I think there is still one for sale here.

 

[blazin_blazer]

why not pull the th400 w/np205 out of the military truck, and put the th400/np205 in your rig? along w/ d-shafts and x-member, then have rear d-shaft shortened

 

[onetonbb74]

check 1968 to 1972 chevy 4x4's they had th350/205 combos. Also 1980 and 1981 had the same combo (350/205) only with a slip yoke. Too bad your not closer, there are a few for sale around here.

 

[Yobtaf]

just an example of whats out there. I don't know Washington so I searched Seattle and this is just one that I found
http://seattle.craigslist.org/kit/pts/628712035.html

 

[BKinzey]

You need to contact KennyW. The guy is always finding parts in WA. He lives near the center of the State.

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Someone brought up a question I have been asking myself. If I could get the military 205/T400 combo for $600 or so, would this be a better route overall?

If this is an option, what else would need to be done ? I've heard there will be carb issues with electronic shifting/kickdown.

Many people I am contacting are claiming the 203 is really not that bad when rebuilt. But with so much hype over the 205, it's hard not to want to try and get one that will work. Again, I appreciate the help

Not in WA anymore, but SW New Mexico....

 

[obijuan]

just trying to get stuff straight, but which military truck are you talkin about? every one i have seen has the 400 208 combo.

 

[Mudstud]

If you can land a running th400 and 205 for 600 i think I'd do that. Even if you have to convert it to fixed yoke in the back that job isn't that difficult and there are lots of write ups about doing it. That is a bullet proof combo. Get the rods that connect to the 205 also and drive shafts if you can. The people telling you to live with the 203 prolly don't wheel. There are two P/T kits available for them, the cheaper one sux- known to break with street use- and the other is cost prohibited. The 203s are a PIA to work on and they're heavy as hell, unreliable and chain driven. They do have the same gearing as a 205 so you won't gain any performance off road. Might save gas being P/T though. my 2 cents.