1976 K20 NP203 HELP! So confused!

[Catfish Supreme]

Ha! y'all are awesome. I have new locking hubs coming Wednesday. Just pulled the trigger on some Mile Marker ones for now that claim they fit and are 19 spline. So Wednesday night I'll throw those bad boys on and see what happens and update this thread. I am just at a loss why a part wouldn't be installed. Found another who had the same issue after some googling on a different random forum from 2009 and the thread ends before any actual answers are found. Don't know if those hubs didn't come with the part? If you refer back to the photo I posted, The inner part with external threads that turns when you actually turn the Lock/Free dial, doesn't engage anything on the inside.

 

[Catfish Supreme]

Is that what they're called? Drive flanges? Even getting them new would have probably been cheaper than new locking hubs.

 

[Curt]

Drive flanges,hub slugs.The only drawback to the original equipment was the dust cover would come off,then your hubs would be exposed to the elements.Most of not all new versions of drive flanges have a cover that bolts on.

I had a 77’ with the same drivetrain and I liked that truck.It did well in the sand.Ended up having some dust covers machined and used a set screw drilled through the wheel hubs to retain them.

The hub slugs are stronger than locking hubs.No moving parts.

The 203 is a decent case.It’s actually really strong.Stonger than a 208 for sure,IMO.Most people put gear oil when takes motor oil.I believe the chain is 2 1/2” inches wide on the older versions.The shifter is made by Hurst.

 

[Catfish Supreme]

From what I have heard, and I could be wrong, Manuals will tell you to use gear oil, but that isn't necessarily good. I filled it with 30W non-detergent to prevent foaming when oil is sloshed around by the chain under use. Hope that will be ok. If I can get this dang truck going I will do a full fluid swap on the 203.

 

[Curt]

Here’s a cool write up on the 203 part time install. http://www.off-road.com/trucks-4x4/tech/new-process-203-transfer-case-tech-20599.html

 

[rpcraft]

I remember when I did the conversion on my 77. If I had known then I could have just swapped over a np208 I would have done it in an instant. The linkage on the 203 is pure junk and the thing was a beast to bench press into place on a gravel driveway. Now days I'm spoiled with a concrete driveway and a jack, lol.

 

[Vbb199]

Just weld the axle shaft to the hub HAHAHAHAHA

 

[Curt]

I’d really have liked to have seen that bench press session.You’re the beast @rpcraft.I can do a 205....203 naa

Where was you when I needed a SM-465 put in place like that.

I’m skeptical....of the 208 vs the 203?Why not a 205?203 has a fixed yoke and it’s already in the truck.

 

[Catfish Supreme]

Yeah if I had something to swap to without hunting it down I'd consider it, and still might in the future, but after the cash of this thing getting a flatbed started I think I'll continue with the locking hubs that are ordered and see if I can actually lock them and get this thing into a gear that works instead of that front driveshaft just spinning!

EDIT: (or weld the shafts to the hubs)

 

[rpcraft]

That was about 23 years ago and I was a lot stronger than I am now. And it was still a cursing event to say the least though. Now days I am down with the 208 because it’s what my newer rig came with and it’s plenty strong enough for most of my antics but I think also because it still has a good low gear with a 4l60e combo, compared to the 205. Back then all I really new about was a 205 or 203 and I was putting it back in because I blew up the th350 due to the previous owner not putting all the mounting hardware and bushings. Fwiw I could still bench press the 4l60e in but I don’t because I got a torn rotator cuff for some reason and trying to lay off until I can get it repaired.

 

[rpcraft]

Yeah if I had something to swap to without hunting it down I'd consider it, and still might in the future, but after the cash of this thing getting a flatbed started I think I'll continue with the locking hubs that are ordered and see if I can actually lock them and get this thing into a gear that works instead of that front driveshaft just spinning!

EDIT: (or weld the shafts to the hubs)

I would recommend while you are in there to go ahead and pull your hub housing off and replace the seals to keep water out. I just took apart a 10 bolt last weekend where they didn’t and it totally screwed up a really nice set of the high dollar warn hubs to the point where they are junk.

 

[Snoots]

I’d really have liked to have seen that bench press session.You’re the beast @rpcraft.I can do a 205....203 naa

Where was you when I needed a SM-465 put in place like that.

I’m skeptical....of the 208 vs the 203?Why not a 205?203 has a fixed yoke and it’s already in the truck.

I dunno? 30 years ago I had no trouble with mine. Just too old for that kind of thing now and have the money to pay someone else to do it.

 

[Vbb199]

I’d really have liked to have seen that bench press session.You’re the beast @rpcraft.I can do a 205....203 naa

Where was you when I needed a SM-465 put in place like that.

I’m skeptical....of the 208 vs the 203?Why not a 205?203 has a fixed yoke and it’s already in the truck.

208/241= lower ratio than 203 or 205

 

[Curt]

All of the above mentioned transfer cases are good.Some are better than others.I definitely rate a 241 behind the 205 in this line up.

Sorry about your shoulder?Not being sarcastic,but might be from bench pressing 203s.I really can’t say much,I’ve picked up a 14 bolt with out hubs.Same on the Dana 60 in my truck now.No wonder my back hurts.Might of went for the SM465,but was worried i drop it on my face.Thinking about that....what would 175lbs do to a human skull from let’s say 18” drop,forget the input shaft going thru your eye...might be alright.Slur your words for awhile.

Sounds like final destination to me.

 

[Vbb199]

All of the above mentioned transfer cases are good.Some are better than others.I definitely rate a 241 behind the 205 in this line up.

Sorry about your shoulder?Not being sarcastic,but might be from bench pressing 203s.I really can’t say much,I’ve picked up a 14 bolt with out hubs.Same on the Dana 60 in my truck now.No wonder my back hurts.Might of went for the SM465,but was worried i drop it on my face.Thinking about that....what would 175lbs do to a human skull from let’s say 18” drop,forget the input shaft going thru your eye...might be alright.Slur your words for awhile.

Sounds like final destination to me.

I once dumped a 205 on my chest in a k10 i had, it fell about 18" or so down, that took the wind out of my sails for the day!

Im now 27, but when i was younger, i'd pick up ahit that was WAYY to heavy to be picking up... now? Now way in ****** hell! I'll drag it or get a buddy