Kain
3/4 ton status
pros and cons from those that know would be appreciated
CK5
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whats the deference between a205 and a 208?
- Thread starter Kain
- Start date
454Sub
5/8 ton status
205 = 2.1 low (weak) gear to gear (loud/hard to shift) ability to use 2 sticks to control front and rear output independently, IMO more reliable, can be built into a doubler and easy to convert to fixed rear yolk. CAST IRON
208 = 2.78.1 low (more better), chain drive aluminum case. No ability to twin stick, dont think they can be converted to fixed rear yolk easily. IMO a POS. I have never been a fan of the 208, they leak more as the case splits where the 205 is a solid case, and i like twin stick.
Now, people swing both ways on this, I would never choose a 208 over a 205 any day. But thats me, now a 241 would be a good compromise, stronger than the 208, very good low, and a decent design.
208 = 2.78.1 low (more better), chain drive aluminum case. No ability to twin stick, dont think they can be converted to fixed rear yolk easily. IMO a POS. I have never been a fan of the 208, they leak more as the case splits where the 205 is a solid case, and i like twin stick.
Now, people swing both ways on this, I would never choose a 208 over a 205 any day. But thats me, now a 241 would be a good compromise, stronger than the 208, very good low, and a decent design.
You said "those who know", so I probably shouldn't reply, but the 205 is a gear driven, cast iron case t-case. The 208 is aluminum, chain driven and has a slip yoke output. Gears are more desirable, the slip yoke makes driveline angle stuff worse, and cast iron is more durable. The 205 will be heavier and may have a worse (less low) low gear, but I'm not sure about that.
I wouldn't trade my old 208 or new 241 for a 205.....unless it was connected to a 203 or my new 241. 
Otherwise, it's been covered.
Otherwise, it's been covered.
if I want bulletproof, I'll take an iron, gear driven case over a chain and alum ANYDAY... that being said, it really likes being in a doubler with it's less than stellar gearing... whereas a 241 has much better gearing...
One point that most folks here don't realize, is that the 205's 2:1 ratio is not a downside for everybody.
For rock crawling, the lower ratio is great.
But, since the only rocks I ever see are on gravel roads, I need the faster tire speed in gumbo mud.
Slow those mudders down too much, and they just turn into mixmasters. Lots of churning, not much moving.
For rock crawling, the lower ratio is great.
But, since the only rocks I ever see are on gravel roads, I need the faster tire speed in gumbo mud.
Slow those mudders down too much, and they just turn into mixmasters. Lots of churning, not much moving.
Also depends on what you using it for. 205 is good for higher HP-tq. My 241 with sye has been great with all stock drive train. The lower ratio helps with the lack of HP.
454Sub
5/8 ton status
I know a 205 will split the case at around 800hp. The gears naturally force themselves away from each other. Im fairly certain the 241 will take more than that. As the chain drive wraps 3/4 around each drive gear, where the gears in the 205 are only contacting each other a few teeth at a time.
I dont need 4.1 low. For me, and my 454, the 2 to 1 is perfect for flinging out mud and keeping my boggers clean.
I dont need 4.1 low. For me, and my 454, the 2 to 1 is perfect for flinging out mud and keeping my boggers clean.
Kain
3/4 ton status
so i should keep the 205 in it
454Sub
5/8 ton status
Depends on what you want out of your truck and what you use it for. Crawling, the 208 will outdo the 205, unless you add the 203 to the 205, then it will outdo the 208.
Kain
3/4 ton status
just to play in the mud, would love to move back to vegas in the future and take it wheeling, there is trails with old ghost towns, mountains all around.
i miss the mountains its too flat here in lubbock.
i miss the mountains its too flat here in lubbock.
TDAWG1
1/2 ton status
just leave the 205 youll be fine. Untill you know what you want to do with the truck in the long run there is no point to making unnessacary changes. As it was put to me once... "spend your next 500.00 in the tank." Drive IT!
One upside to the 208 that hasnt been mentioned- you can find them for basically free. I run one in my dd and rock/trail truggy, never broken one (good protection/stockish drivetrain) and I have 5 spares that were given to me. can change one by myself in about 30 minutes with no jack.
Trail truck will eventually get something stronger but my dd which does see mild offroad use will probably always be a 208.
Trail truck will eventually get something stronger but my dd which does see mild offroad use will probably always be a 208.
