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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 09:51 PM
  #1  
78 f250 lariat's Avatar
78 f250 lariat
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From: Oring, WA
Full time 4wd

I have a 78 f-250. It was originally a full time 4wd but the previous owner converted it to part time 4wd. What was done to this truck? It has manually locking hubs now. Is this something I need to be concerned about? What transfer case is in this truck and is the front driveline still turning if the hubs are free?
 
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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 10:09 PM
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swann79
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Your truck should have a New Process 203 t-case. Yes, the front driveshaft will still turn, because the t-case has no option to disengage it. The manual hubs simply keep the front axle from pulling. Concerns? None that I'm aware of. This seems to be a popular conversion, but I haven't heard if it causes any problems or not.

I have heard that the part-time t-case (NP 205) offered in these '78 and '79 trucks is a little stouter than the full-time unit, but I have no useable info on that for ya.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 10:20 PM
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on my converted np203, the front driveshaft does not turn unless it is on 'lock'.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 10:23 PM
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78 f250 lariat
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Thanks for the info. I also have a concern with when it is in 4 Hi it pops out when I am either accelerating or decelerating. Is this just the shift linkage out of adjustment? I did recently add an extra leaf to front suspension. I don't know if it did this before I added it but would this make a difference to it doing it now.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 10:28 PM
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Mine pops out too, and no, it is not supposed to do that. I never have found an answer as to what causes that.
 
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Old Apr 9, 2004 | 10:31 PM
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78 f250 lariat
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Does anyone know out there. I haven't taken it to a mechanic yet and really don't want to if it is simple. It is fine in 4 low which makes me think it is the linkage. Am I right?
 
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Old Apr 10, 2004 | 07:30 AM
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I am thinking the linkage is a possibility, but I'm not for certain. Try posting this question in the transmission and transfer case forum.

Edit: Nevermind, somebody already moved it for ya, and I didn't even notice!
 
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Old Apr 13, 2004 | 11:39 AM
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From: Port Angeles WA
Full Time four wheel drive.

I don't mean to scare you but my 76 was having the same problem but with popping out of 4 low loc, and the other day (while pulling out a chev) I hear a loud pop and checked it out and there was a hole in the drivers side of my 203 about the size of a baseball. I do not have auto hubs on the truck but when the t-case shifter is in between N and Hi Loc the rear driveline turns, and the front does not so does this mean that someone converted this 203?
 
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