454Sub
5/8 ton status
203 FTW, with the stock shifter!
CK5
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Transfer case preference.
- Thread starter 82355
- Start date
I have yet to blow up any GM transfer case--but then I dont go off roading much,and rarely use 4 low,even when plowing...
I like the NP-205 other than its ingot weight,the low range could be lower though..I kept the one I had put in my '77 GMC ,its originally from a '72 going by the tag,has the TH350 adaptor..
Both the trucks I own now have NP-208's in them (unless the '85 Suburban has a 241,I never looked close at it yet,I doubt it has one)...
I like the 208's OK--I agree with Martin ,most aluminum cases fare fine unless they get dropped on a curb or rocks,or get run too low on lube ,that never was changed..they put them in 1 tons and I know of at least three 1 ton dumps that have been used hard for plowing a long time,and the transfer cases have held up fine--one of the dually axles in one of them ate the pinion bearings though..
I like the NP-205 other than its ingot weight,the low range could be lower though..I kept the one I had put in my '77 GMC ,its originally from a '72 going by the tag,has the TH350 adaptor..
Both the trucks I own now have NP-208's in them (unless the '85 Suburban has a 241,I never looked close at it yet,I doubt it has one)...
I like the 208's OK--I agree with Martin ,most aluminum cases fare fine unless they get dropped on a curb or rocks,or get run too low on lube ,that never was changed..they put them in 1 tons and I know of at least three 1 ton dumps that have been used hard for plowing a long time,and the transfer cases have held up fine--one of the dually axles in one of them ate the pinion bearings though..
That and improper driveshaft length and lack of skid plate.
The problem I've seen with 205's is not the case itself but the adapter between getting broken. Seen more of those than any other tcase carnage. Again often due to the lack of a skid plate.
I've seen a couple busted aluminum t/c's....not sure on the model # though.
I picked the 205 for its strength, running a BBC, it was the logical choice in OEM stuff....then I went with a doubler for gearing...I think I got my setup real good with 4.56's, 39.5's and the doubler. So 205 FTMFW!
I picked the 205 for its strength, running a BBC, it was the logical choice in OEM stuff....then I went with a doubler for gearing...I think I got my setup real good with 4.56's, 39.5's and the doubler. So 205 FTMFW!
I think use changes the point of view completely.
For a rig that you want indestructible, it definitely seems the 205 is the only case to run unless you go aftermarket etc.
Ive never shifted a gear driven tcase and liked how it functioned. I love how smooth my 208 is. When im strapped in my harness I can pull back on the lever with my foot and it pops in nice and easy.
Im sure it will be the next thing to blow in mine as its the only stock piece in the thing. But it has handled some serious dune abuse and has kept on ticking and working perfect.
Like bigdan said, they are light and easy to change, and I like that. 205s scare me to remove lol.
For a rig that you want indestructible, it definitely seems the 205 is the only case to run unless you go aftermarket etc.
Ive never shifted a gear driven tcase and liked how it functioned. I love how smooth my 208 is. When im strapped in my harness I can pull back on the lever with my foot and it pops in nice and easy.
Im sure it will be the next thing to blow in mine as its the only stock piece in the thing. But it has handled some serious dune abuse and has kept on ticking and working perfect.
Like bigdan said, they are light and easy to change, and I like that. 205s scare me to remove lol.
Unless the specs I've seen are wrong, the 241 is rated for more torque than the 205 is/was.
If the 205 holds up (which they seem to do, well) I think they've got longevity over the 208's/241's simply due to the shift pads and the chain. Pretty easy fixes, but nonetheless, same for same...the 208/241's also leak more IMO. The 241's for the trucks are universally slip yokes, that too sucks.
The 241's are a lot easier to find with VSS for all the conversions out there. The 241's bolt up easily to more modern transmissions vs. the figure 8 205's which are prevalent.
The 241 shifter fits in all 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks that came with 208/241's, the 205 only fits directly in trucks that came V/K30's.
I personally don't even think of the 208, but the 241 has better gearing, better shifting, less weight, and simple rebuilding going for it IMO vs. the 205.
In general, I think the only real advantages the 205 has are how long it can be run if taken care of without needing a rebuild, and most having a fixed rear yoke.
The good thing is, people love the 205's, so when I swap mine to a 241, I should have zero problem selling the 205.
Where have you seen these specs?
http://coloradok5.com/forums/showpost.php?p=644152&postcount=1
http://dodgeram.org/tech/specs/tranfer_case.htm
However, that second chart is clearly for the NV241. I'm not sure if that means the NP241 is/could be different.
That chart also lists a far different figure for continuous vs. max, if the 205 spec given is continuous (and why wouldn't it be?), that puts the 205 ahead by a hair.
I have seen 205s split in half. I have seen 208s broken. Seen 241s broke. In all honesty with proper mounting and even someone who drives even slightly well, you shouldn't break any of em. Most of the aluminum case failures I have seen have been due to no skid plate. 205s make great skidplates. Most of the 205s I have seen fail are due to complete lack of mantianence.
Recollect I do mostly crawling in my own rig. Gearing wins the day 241 for me. It's not a small difference it's a huge difference.
Everything breaks. It breaks more if you don't mantain it
Recollect I do mostly crawling in my own rig. Gearing wins the day 241 for me. It's not a small difference it's a huge difference.
Everything breaks. It breaks more if you don't mantain it
I have seen aluminum cases explode, properly maintained ones...with my own eyes, right in front of me... while it happened.
I have never seen a 205 or 203 blow up. Ever.
Regardless your opinion...the strength of the 205 is NOT "mythical"...seriously?
I believe I have enough actual experience to have a VERY informed opinion. Military (lots of aluminum cases) and all levels of casual/weekend/pro/racing wheeling.
Versatility and what vehicle a transfercase will fit in, with no modifications/compatibility issues, is irrelevant these days. Too easy to adapt anything to anything.
"Ratings", or things from books are dumb things to quote in support of an argument like this. Real world experience trumps all.
Availability is also mostly irrelevant. The good stuff is supposed to be hard to get. If you find a 205, you won't ever have to do anything other than maintain it.
Gearing is good. Experience is better.
If you don't have lockers (no lsd's or lunchbox setups) front and rear, 38"+ tires, 1 ton+ axles and lower than factory gearing...then no need to step up to a 205. Those alumin00b case's will suit ya fine.
I guess I don't get it.
If I'm going to build a truck with any of the cases discussed, it's for a truck meant to have fun with, or work hard with. In that case...I want the parts that will have the least probability of interrupting my fun, or the making of money. I want redundancy in my motor, transmission and transfercase, or as close to it as I can get. You get all of that with a 205. I'm fine with pretty much anything down stream of the transfer case exploding, I can fix that pretty much anywhere. And last...and most important is peace of mind. That way...the potential for fun is maximized.
Now that I've ruffled enough feathers...time to refill my coffee.
I have never seen a 205 or 203 blow up. Ever.
Regardless your opinion...the strength of the 205 is NOT "mythical"...seriously?
I believe I have enough actual experience to have a VERY informed opinion. Military (lots of aluminum cases) and all levels of casual/weekend/pro/racing wheeling.
Versatility and what vehicle a transfercase will fit in, with no modifications/compatibility issues, is irrelevant these days. Too easy to adapt anything to anything.
"Ratings", or things from books are dumb things to quote in support of an argument like this. Real world experience trumps all.
Availability is also mostly irrelevant. The good stuff is supposed to be hard to get. If you find a 205, you won't ever have to do anything other than maintain it.
Gearing is good. Experience is better.
If you don't have lockers (no lsd's or lunchbox setups) front and rear, 38"+ tires, 1 ton+ axles and lower than factory gearing...then no need to step up to a 205. Those alumin00b case's will suit ya fine.
I guess I don't get it.
If I'm going to build a truck with any of the cases discussed, it's for a truck meant to have fun with, or work hard with. In that case...I want the parts that will have the least probability of interrupting my fun, or the making of money. I want redundancy in my motor, transmission and transfercase, or as close to it as I can get. You get all of that with a 205. I'm fine with pretty much anything down stream of the transfer case exploding, I can fix that pretty much anywhere. And last...and most important is peace of mind. That way...the potential for fun is maximized.
Now that I've ruffled enough feathers...time to refill my coffee.
I'll just leave this right here....
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"Ratings", or things from books are dumb things to quote in support of an argument like this. Real world experience trumps all.
"Real world experience" is quantifiable how?
I snapped my mount in half a couple months ago. Just recently found the cause to be a loose trans mount allowing the the drivetrain to rock forward/back (th350/np205). It broke while dropping down some ledges so that's my theory anyway.
205's aren't bad, 203's are a PITA.
Kind of like the real world experience of all of the diesels trucks built today with NP205's because aluminum transfer case's won't stand up to that kind of torque???
Martin
I've never had a 208 issue. My current 208 is out of a suburban with 345,000 miles on it. I've given more 208's away than I've ever needed to replace.
205's are beefy, no doubt about it.
But as the title says "Transfer Case PREFERENCE"...
It all boils down to what/how you wheel and preference.
205's are beefy, no doubt about it.
But as the title says "Transfer Case PREFERENCE"...
It all boils down to what/how you wheel and preference.
No argument that the 205 is a beefy unit, but I would prefer a 241 in any rig I am building. My use is not extreme and I like the lighter weight and lower ratio of the 241 plus ease of shifting. I like 700R4's and 10 bolt differentials too so I guess I'll just surrender my man card now and slink away...
Did you guys watch the video?
Do you believe that a thing has to be quantifiable to be relevant, appropriate and contextually correct?
My word is all the quantification needed.
That has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with cost.
And we aren't talking about anything other than 'our' trucks right? Not newer diesel trucks? Thats what I was talkin about. Is that what you were talkin about?
Do you believe that a thing has to be quantifiable to be relevant, appropriate and contextually correct?
My word is all the quantification needed.
That has nothing to do with strength and everything to do with cost.
And we aren't talking about anything other than 'our' trucks right? Not newer diesel trucks? Thats what I was talkin about. Is that what you were talkin about?
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It is not about cost. Customers would not put up with those ****ty transfer cases in those high dollar new rigs.
Martin
Martin
How in the hell can you call a 205 a "sh!tty" transfercase? Are you just angry and reaching for something or what?
I get that you don't prefer them, that's fine, spice of life/everyone is different and all that...but calling a NP205 a sh!tty transfercase is just ignorant.
The only disadvantage it has is gearing. Did ya watch the video?...think you could make a 205 explode like that 208? ...on dirt, stock 1/2 ton running gear, stock tires, probably stock gearing? You can't, even if the mount was trashed, I know, I absolutely blew apart a stock 205 mount, adapter never even snorted, skidding a 40" diameter 10' long fresh cut cedar log up a hill. Everything under the truck was banging around...the entire drivetrain. I had to weld the mount together, AFTER skidding the log, just to get home. Replaced the mount, went back to skidding logs.
Soon as the 8.1 is in, the chassis/suspension is setup appropriately and everything is ready to rip...I know a place where I can chain my truck to a huge bridge overpass. I'm going to hook up, do some 8klb 6 wheel peel's, with a good bit of weight in the back, and get down on a reasonable effort to break something. I have $100 that says the 205 doesn't even snort. I'm guessing I explode a Warn 35 spline hub first. I wish it was a simple thing for me to swap an aluminoob case into my truck, just to explode it and prove a point.
I encourage anyone who wants to make the drive, has an aluminoob case and has the balls to chain up to an immovable object, or do tug o war with me, to do so. Let's see if the faith in aluminum cases is miss-placed or not.
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