Transfer Case

[Whittler]

Let's be honest here. Looking for validation that the 208 is going to be strong enough. The 205 is going to be cost prohibitive so the 208 is the better choice $$. That saw it is a fine TC. If you are really worried pick up a junkyard 241 and it will bolt right up with better oiling and 5 gear planetary

I looked at everything today and you are absolutely right. The 208 stays for now. I expect to change later, but for right now it's the safe move. I'm trying to get the engine/axle swap done before winter. Thanks for the input Ya'll I wasn't trying to refire the debate.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

NP208 is synchronized (you can shift it while you're moving). NP205 is not.
.

Nope.

The 208 does have "synchros" on the front output, but that doesn't mean you can shift from high to low on the fly (actually, some 205's have the same synchro front output parts). The only reason that they're synchronized is to work with auto front hubs, no other reason.

 

[campfire]

Nope.

The 208 does have "synchros" on the front output, but that doesn't mean you can shift from high to low on the fly (actually, some 205's have the same synchro front output parts). The only reason that they're synchronized is to work with auto front hubs, no other reason.

Hmm...I've never had a problem shifting while moving, and my GM owners manual says it is a safe practice up to 25MPH (though I have seen it work faster than that). I'm pretty sure they used the word "synchronized," but I don't have it in front of me, so I could be wrong.

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Went back and reread the post, and I understand what you're saying. Yes, you can't shift from high --> low while moving. I was talking about going from 2WD --> 4WD while moving. My understanding is that 205 cases are not able to do this without grinding, but I don't have one of these cases, so I am not particularly knowledgeable about them. Do fill me in so I don't continue confusing people.

 

[nvrenuf]

Like Chris stated, there was a synchronized version of the 205 used in the early to mid 80's in trucks originally equipped with auto locking hubs.

Synchronized version



Non synchronized version

 

[Deuling]

I CANNOT shift my 208 from high range to low range while moving. I have to have the trans in neutral as well.


I can however kick it in and out of 4hi to 2wd and visa versa at speed. And yes I do actually kick it in and out. Harness problems

 

[K30Blazer]

You have to go into neutral. You can shift from 2wd to 4wd.

 

[sweetk30]

you should never try and switch high/low ranges when moving .

and if you lift off the throttle you can float almost all t-cases in/out of 2wd/4wd .

and I have been floating my 205 cases for years with no problems.

 

[diesel4me]

Me too-I used to pop my NP-205 into 4 hi from 2 hi at any speed below 30 mph or so with no troubles or gear clashing...it was a non-synchro one from a '72 truck..
I often left the hubs locked,when I'd hit dry pavement I'd pop it in 2 hi to prevent driveline bindup...

But I've yet to have any transfer case that let you go from 4 hi to 4 lo "on the fly"...if you tried it with my NP-205 or the Rockwell T-223 I had in one truck,it'd grind a pound off the gears--"BLAGGHHHHHHHTTT"!..
After trying that once,I'd always stop dead and shift the trans to
neutral before trying to shift the T-case !..

 

[woodchk502]

I think the best choice boils down to what the rig I'd going to spend the bulk of its time doing. My guess is mostly street, making the 208 perfectly acceptable. I love my 205, but have had the 208 serve me quite well in the past.

Why not use the 208, keep the 205, and if you find you have issues with it find yourself a 203 and get some doubler action

Jim

 

[truck-oholic]

If you got a 241 now and ever decided to do a doubler then you can use the guts from the 241 in the NWF eco box and put that in front of a 205. It's a better setup than a 203/205 and pretty much the same cost.

 

[Hogback Fabrication]

Went back and reread the post, and I understand what you're saying. Yes, you can't shift from high --> low while moving. I was talking about going from 2WD --> 4WD while moving. My understanding is that 205 cases are not able to do this without grinding, but I don't have one of these cases, so I am not particularly knowledgeable about them. Do fill me in so I don't continue confusing people.

2WD to 4WD is fine at any speed for 205's or 208/241's as long as the front hubs are locked in.

Hi/Low shifting at speed is a no go for either, neither is synchronized like a transmission.

Synchros in either case are only there to make auto hubs do their thing, nothing else.

 

[campfire]

2WD to 4WD is fine at any speed for 205's or 208/241's as long as the front hubs are locked in.

Hi/Low shifting at speed is a no go for either, neither is synchronized like a transmission.

Synchros in either case are only there to make auto hubs do their thing, nothing else.

Ok, I got it. For some reason I had thought the synchros made a difference from 2WD --> 4WD. My only source for that would have been the owner's manual. It must have been talking about engaging the automatic hubs.

Thanks for the correction!