BEST stock transfer case?
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BEST stock transfer case?
What do I mean by best stock TC? A drop in/bolt in case that is tough enough to yard logs up hill, "walk" a stubborn bull from one field to the other, haul a D2 Cat up a logging road in 4 low with high rpm's and do it all requiring little day to day maintenance.
Im old, and Im old school at that. I checked, there are NO divorced, cast iron, gear driven TC that came stock in our F-250's, F-350's.
So before I go cave man and swap in an old TC from the 60's I wanted to ask if technology has somehow lent to making an aluminum, chain driven TC be comparable to the old stand bys. I had a 203 in my old '74 IH 1310 that you could use to crush rocks into gravel while climbing the mountain.
Don't really need that kind of mojo now that Im older, but I'd like the case with the best reputation for toughness for those occasions I end up WORKING off road and not PLAYING off road.
Thanks in advance
Im old, and Im old school at that. I checked, there are NO divorced, cast iron, gear driven TC that came stock in our F-250's, F-350's.
So before I go cave man and swap in an old TC from the 60's I wanted to ask if technology has somehow lent to making an aluminum, chain driven TC be comparable to the old stand bys. I had a 203 in my old '74 IH 1310 that you could use to crush rocks into gravel while climbing the mountain.
Don't really need that kind of mojo now that Im older, but I'd like the case with the best reputation for toughness for those occasions I end up WORKING off road and not PLAYING off road.
Thanks in advance
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
I can't compare the newer transfer cases to the older ones you mentioned, but I can tell you what I learned recently by talking to the local 4x4 shops as well as doing a lot of reading.
I know about two t-cases that bolt into these trucks - the NP208 and the BW1356. There may be others, but I have no knowledge of them. Of these two, I'm told the BW is slightly stronger. The case is either all magnesium or mag on one half and aluminum on the other, depending on what it came from. One advantage of the BW is that it has a full-time oil pump while the NP doesn't. But, otherwise the guys in the shops told me that there is little difference in strength. Both bolt in where the other was, although the linkage is somewhat different and may not be an easy swap.
I know about two t-cases that bolt into these trucks - the NP208 and the BW1356. There may be others, but I have no knowledge of them. Of these two, I'm told the BW is slightly stronger. The case is either all magnesium or mag on one half and aluminum on the other, depending on what it came from. One advantage of the BW is that it has a full-time oil pump while the NP doesn't. But, otherwise the guys in the shops told me that there is little difference in strength. Both bolt in where the other was, although the linkage is somewhat different and may not be an easy swap.
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From: Virginia
Double check me on this, but I think the np208 has a slower low range gear. That is a advantage some people like over the bw1356.
You will break something else in the drivetrain before you break either one of those transfer cases. I have seen the bw case give trouble because of oil leaks. Once they run dry they run hot and it melts some plastic shifter pieces inside and it then keeps popping out of gear.
You will break something else in the drivetrain before you break either one of those transfer cases. I have seen the bw case give trouble because of oil leaks. Once they run dry they run hot and it melts some plastic shifter pieces inside and it then keeps popping out of gear.
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: ga
I know you are looking at newer tcs but I sure wouldn't overlook the old np 205. That was a bulletproof case. I'm not sure what transmission you have but the 205 bolted right up to my c6. I have 600 hp and 44 inch tires. I've destroyed everything BUT the transfer case. Hard to beat
Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
The 205 is a gear driven cast iron case.
I have put my BW 1356 through some pretty tough stuff over the years without an issue.
I have put my BW 1356 through some pretty tough stuff over the years without an issue.
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Postmaster
Joined: Nov 2009
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Brad, I have a 96 F250. I have always thought the T case was a 1356. Mine is equipped with the 7.3 and the ZF5. Is there a way to ID the T case?
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Fleet Owner
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From: Gilbert, PA
The tag on the back of the t-case is the easiest,
Then if you had them side by side the 4407 is much bigger
The 4407 has a flat flange the drive shaft bolts to, the 1356 is a slip yoke
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: ga
Correct, I didn't realize the OP only wanted chain driven cases. Not that I think any of the other ones were bad cases I just wondered why the 205 hadn't been mentioned yet.
FTE Legend
Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Northeast, OK
Does this look familiar? The lump you hauled in your truck? That spent several weeks across the street from your old house? 
This is a BW1356, as confirmed with the "13-56" cast into the housing in the middle of the pic:
Here that t-case is before the conversion to a Bronco style unit. It is the one on the left and the NP208 it is replacing is on the right. Note that it has a larger fixed yoke in front, a slip yoke in the rear, and an aluminum front half and magnesium rear. That's because it has the PTO cover on the front, which is because it came from an F350. If it didn't have the PTO cover it would have magnesium cases front and rear.
Fleet Owner
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From: Gilbert, PA
Brad - Not all 1356's had slip yokes. This one is configured as a Bronco unit with the smaller u-joint yoke up front and rear. There was also a Bronco unit with a small fixed yoke up front and a flange on the rear to which a fixed yoke attached. Then there were the ones for the F250's and 350's which did get into slip yokes. ]
FTE Legend
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From: Northeast, OK
Got it. Thanks. So, the "before" picture is a 1356 from an F350 w/a 460.
Postmaster
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From: Broken Arrow , OK
Up until probably 1997 all Ford T cases would bolt directly to all Ford transmissions. They will all swap , but will probably need drive line mods done.
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Old 205
I know you are looking at newer tcs but I sure wouldn't overlook the old np 205. That was a bulletproof case. I'm not sure what transmission you have but the 205 bolted right up to my c6. I have 600 hp and 44 inch tires. I've destroyed everything BUT the transfer case. Hard to beat
No doubt that old case is tried and tested! I have been thinking about putting one into 87 but then wondered if it was needed. The gearing on the 205 isn't that great, or the ratio I mean, and I didn't know if engineers had figured out how to make a tougher case out of aluminum. Or I should say, tough enough.
I read that the 1356 is CONSIDERABLY stronger than the 1345 I have in my unit. But it seems the 4407 is stronger yet, but is the 1345 a weak unit?