Help identifying

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
I have a picture of my transfer case identification tag, trying to figure out exactly what fluid to run, this is a 1988 square v30 454 4-speed, the Chilton's manual says for 86 to 87 k30 k35 refer to owner's manual, it's hard shifting in and out of 4high I'm thinking of fluid change would help, maybe somebody put the wrong fluid in at some point

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
 

Bextreme04

Full Access Member
Joined
May 13, 2019
Posts
4,439
Reaction score
5,574
Location
Oregon
First Name
Eric
Truck Year
1980
Truck Model
K25
Engine Size
350-4bbl
Looks like you have an NP205. I'm pretty sure all NP205's should have 80W-90, that's what I run in my 1980 NP205
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,914
Reaction score
4,115
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
88 = model year
205 = 205 transfer case
15521981 = GM part number for a 205

FYI, I checked my GM service manual and it refers you to the owners manual. I check that and it only lists the capacity, not the the type of oil.
 

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
Looks like you have an NP205. I'm pretty sure all NP205's should have 80W-90, that's what I run in my 1980 NP205
88 = model year
205 = 205 transfer case
15521981 = GM part number for a 205

FYI, I checked my GM service manual and it refers you to the owners manual. I check that and it only lists the capacity, not the the type of oil.
Thanks for checking I guess I'll go with 80w 90, it looks like the only other option would be dextron 2 anyways
 

bucket

Super Moderator
Staff member
Super Moderator
Joined
Aug 3, 2010
Posts
30,419
Reaction score
28,243
Location
Usually not in Ohio
First Name
Andy
Truck Year
'77, '78, '79, '84, '88
Truck Model
K5 thru K30
Engine Size
350-454
Iirc, when auto hubs became optional and the "syncro" 205's were starting to get used, Dexron became an acceptable fluid as well.
 

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
She goes in 4 hi no problem, it's shifting out that gives me problems, and advice? Truck on / off flat ground, neutral nothing really makes a difference , it eventually comes out but it seems it should be a little easier.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
I have a picture of my transfer case identification tag, trying to figure out exactly what fluid to run, this is a 1988 square v30 454 4-speed, the Chilton's manual says for 86 to 87 k30 k35 refer to owner's manual, it's hard shifting in and out of 4high I'm thinking of fluid change would help, maybe somebody put the wrong fluid in at some point

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach
Manufactured May, 5th 88 and it's an NP205. That's all the 1 tons got was NP205's. Even if it were auto it would be an NP205 in a 1 ton.

Be sure to put that tag back on it. In the event you need to order parts for that Tcase, you may need that serial # on the bottom row.
 

HotRodPC

Administrator
Staff member
Admin
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Posts
47,128
Reaction score
9,299
Location
OKC, OK
First Name
HotRod
Truck Year
85 K20 LWB
Truck Model
Silverado
Engine Size
454 - Turbo 400 - 3.73
She goes in 4 hi no problem, it's shifting out that gives me problems, and advice? Truck on / off flat ground, neutral nothing really makes a difference , it eventually comes out but it seems it should be a little easier.


Be sure to lube your linkage well too. IIRC, there's a grease zerk in the pivot where the shift lever bolts onto the case. :shrug: I may be thinking of a different model too, but do check it out.
 

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
Sounds good I'll check it out,I have a buddy of mine who has basically the same truck and his is stuck in four low cannot get it out, if he can get into my house I'm going to take a look at it, I'm sure I'll be back on here looking for more information if that's the case, I have seen them for cheap enough on Craigslist but is there a common issue that breaks inside that can be fixed?
 

Craig 85

Full Access Member
Joined
Jan 25, 2017
Posts
3,914
Reaction score
4,115
Location
Nashville, TN
First Name
Craig
Truck Year
1985
Truck Model
K30 SRW
Engine Size
454/TH-400/NP205
The owners manual says to put it on reverse and roll backwards a short distance, especially if you have been driving on a hard surface. It may require a "forceful" pull. Mine has been re-built and will not come out of 4 Lo sometimes. Once I reverse, it comes out no problem.
 

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
Thanks man, I love these old trucks, it's old school america, and before there were labor laws
 

Dooley

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Posts
376
Reaction score
986
Location
North Coast
First Name
RW
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
I have a picture of my transfer case identification tag, trying to figure out exactly what fluid to run, this is a 1988 square v30 454 4-speed, the Chilton's manual says for 86 to 87 k30 k35 refer to owner's manual, it's hard shifting in and out of 4high I'm thinking of fluid change would help, maybe somebody put the wrong fluid in at some point

You must be registered for see images attach


You must be registered for see images attach

GM 205 lubricant requirements.

My 1972 called for 80/90 gear oil in the case
My 1980 called for 30w motor oil in the case
My 1988 calls for ATF in the case.


Picture of my original 1988 V 30 Owners Manual.

You must be registered for see images attach
 
Last edited:

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
Wow that's a head spinner!!!! Thanks for looking, I'm still not 100% sure what to use, after a hot tip, I rolled backwards in reverse it came right out of four high,so the transfer case is functioning as it should I guess I'll drain it and see what is in there and replace with whatever it came out of
 

Usmczo6

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 6, 2020
Posts
73
Reaction score
28
Location
New york
First Name
Alan
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
The owners manual says to put it on reverse and roll backwards a short distance, especially if you have been driving on a hard surface. It may require a "forceful" pull. Mine has been re-built and will not come out of 4 Lo sometimes. Once I reverse, it comes out no problem.
The hot tip!
 

Dooley

Full Access Member
Joined
Mar 19, 2014
Posts
376
Reaction score
986
Location
North Coast
First Name
RW
Truck Year
1988
Truck Model
V30
Engine Size
454
Having owned a couple dozen 205 equipped 4x4's going back 50 years I can say the Dexron works as it should.
Including my 1988 V30.

You must be registered for see images attach
 

Forum statistics

Threads
44,097
Posts
949,287
Members
36,192
Latest member
Jamesharris
Top