My 16 year old and I are doing a frame off of a 77 high boy for his first truck. The 400M has been rebuilt with a 268h comp cam. But since we have not been able to find a divorced 205 we are looking at the ful time to part time conversion kit for our divorced 203. This is a little concerning as there is a statement about lack of lube to the bearings in the t-case after the conversion. Does any one have experience with this conversion kit? Should we even mess with the kit? Or should we leave it as full time 4wd? We really do not want to create more repairs for ourselves by installing the conversion kit and then having issues as a result.

 

Welcome to FTE, I would think that finding a divorced NP 205 would not be that hard in Indiana. Have you checked with your state chapter? Indiana Chapter - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

I did a search tempest craigslist search for all of Indiana and could not find one, wow.

Yes I to have heard that the NP 203 is "sling" lubed, that is why you should should run it in 4wd every so often.

As far as after the part time kit install and then what, sorry I do not know the answer on that one.

I never knew they were worth that much. http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-NP-205-Divorced-Mount-Transfer-Case-/351238273739?_trksid=p2054897.l4275

 

My 78 Bronco is full-time and I love it.
Seems to handle a lot better than my 79 with part-time.
Comparing the two the 78 doesn't wear the tires any faster or have less fuel mileage than the 79.
Plus its so easy to pull the lever into the "loc" position and keep on moving without getting out and locking in hubs.

 

Please don't change to part time! Most of the 203's bad name comes from the part time conversion. Everybody thinks the part time kit is some kind of magic bullet. With a 400 you won't see maybe a 1/2 mpg difference if any.

Driving a truck with a functional full-time case is a rare pleasure. They handle great and you don't have to get out and lock hubs! Make sure the chain is tight and the shifter is properly adjusted. Sure you may have to maintain the front driveshaft and axle a little more, but I would sure feel better about turning my kids loose in snow/ice with a functional full-time 203 (dont forget to add some sand bags for ballast/emergency traction)!

The 203 is an awesome full-time transfer case and a crappy part-time case at best!

 

You know what? I vote x2 on the np203 full time function. I have a married 205 and it is great, but is a pain switching between 2 and 4 when on the icy street.

I've tossed in my head the idea of using an NP242 or NV242 from a hummer to get full time with parts from a jeep 242.

but hard to argue against a case iron case
Pushed into the shop source
I don't think this is how the transfer case is supposed to look. source

 

If we keep the full time 4x4 wouldn't we have some restricted turn radius issues. Popping of the u joints etc?

 

The NP203 has a differential inside of it. The front axle and rear axle are allowed to turn at different speeds. The differential is locked and both axles turn at same speed when in "low loc" and "high lock".
I have no problems making sharp turns and don't experience any extra problems out of u-joints. I use spicer u-joints.