I'm collecting parts to do a 2wd to 4wd conversion. I've found what the guy lists as a "203 or 205" divorced transfer case. I want to ****** it up because it's the first divorced case I've found. Is this the typical transfer case for the mid 70's? Thanks

 

the f250's used both in a divorced/remote mount, either a 203 for a full time 4wd setup (non locking hubs)
or the 205 for a part time 4wd system (with locking hubs)
i personally would rather have the 205 as its a gear drive design & has been proven to be nearly bulletproof & the 203 is chain driven & problematic

 

How do I tell if it's a 203 or 205? Is there a tag on it and if the tags gone how else would I tell? I definetly don't want the 203 if it's all time 4x4. The seller isn't sure which one it is but the axle he's selling with it has manual locking hubs, so if they came from the same vehicle it should be a 205, but who knows. He does know that it is divorced which is perfect because I can use my tranny.

 

there should be a tag on the frt side of the case & it will tell you whether its a 203 or 205
the 203 is somewhat bigger than the 205 & has a large cast iron center differential on the back side of the transfer case

the shift patterns are also different
203:
hi-loc
hi
n
lo
lo-loc
205:
4wd hi
2wd
n
4wd lo

im no expert on the 203 but its possible that it has been converted to part time this could be why the frt axle has locking hubs

 

i would like to point out that the shift pattern for the 205 is upside down. 4lo is all the way forward and 4hi is all the way back. 2hi is just forward of 4hi, and neutral is between the high and low ranges:
4lo
N
2hi
4hi
just so there is no confusion.

 

Lets not dismiss the possibiliy of a part time converted 203. The shift pattern will be different and because of the 2wd function, this can be mistaken for a part time case.

This a Np 203 case. notice the huge tail section and housing. This is where the differential for the case is located:



This is a Np 205. See thow small the tail section is. This does not have a differential inside. This case is very small compared to the 203:




Yes, each case has a blue tag attached to each case. Most are under years of dirt and grime.

 

For 1976 Ford trucks, it could be either:

Dana 21, NP203, or a NP205.

Best bet is to look at the case itself; 75350 provided some good eye training.

 

Chad:

Did we actually determine that a 76 F250 could have a dana transfer case?

 

No, they were only available on F100s.

The OP asked "What transfer case was used in 1976?". I answered the question.

 

No argument here. I know that your answer was correct for the year and the question. I just could not remember the last thread when this came up.
Ehhh, only a few days ago, and I cant remeber it. I probably should not have eaten so much paste as a kid...........

 

I remember talking about it, I don't remember where. Somewhere, somewhere... don't eat the paste, young Wiggum!

 

somebody once said: "an online forum is like having a drunk conversation with everyone in the bar, minus the 'i love you man'..." oh how true...

p.s. im a fan of paint chips myself...

 

I have a 76 f250 with a bad 203 full time can i direct swap a 205 into it without any mods? I can get a 205 for 150 bucks were as a 203 is 500 bucks at local junkyard I dont want full time i plan to swap hubs and make it part time it is a divorced t case

 

I believe the crossmember is the same however the brackets that attach the transfer case to the crossmember they are different .. So you'll need a set of brackets for a divorced NP205 .. I may have them if you can't find them .. $150 for a divorced NP205 is a great price maybe he has the brackets too ..