Converting NP 203 to part-time
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Junior User
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 93
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From: Hillsboro,Oregon
Converting NP 203 to part-time
Does anyone have any experience with the Milemarker conversion kits? I have a 78 F-150 4x4 with an NP 203 full-time four wheel drive tranfer case. Originaly I was planning on swapping it for a 205. And I still plan on doing this later down the road. But at the time money is very tight and a friend recommended a Milemarker conversion kit to switch it to a part-time unit. http://www.milemarker.com/4x2conversion.html I noticed they had several different kits, starting around $140 and going up. One even comes with a new chain. So, I have a few questions. Are these kits any good? What about the hubs that come with the kit? Are they any good? Should I get one without hubs and buy Warn hubs? And also the chain. While I am in there, should I replace the chain? And also, how difficult is the installation? Thanks. Mike
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 2,735
Likes: 38
From: Sunny Florida
I can't answer your question about the kits but I have to ask a question. If money is tight then why spend all that time, effort and money on a part time kit? The part time kit cost more than a used 205 or close to the same and that's based on the low end kit price you listed. To top it off you are askign if you should rebuild/replace the 203 chain when you plan on swapping in a 205 at a later date. This makes no sense to me. Not trying to slam you but it just doesn't make sense to me.
I also have to ask why you want to install a part time kit? I have read that swapping over to a part time kit does not and will not yield you better gas mileage and the full time case is a great set up to have unless you do heavy wheeling.
I myself would leave the 203 in there and if you find that the chain is sloppy then replace it. For DD truck the 203 is a great case to have and will out handle the 205 in bad weather conditions any day of the week.
I also have to ask why you want to install a part time kit? I have read that swapping over to a part time kit does not and will not yield you better gas mileage and the full time case is a great set up to have unless you do heavy wheeling.
I myself would leave the 203 in there and if you find that the chain is sloppy then replace it. For DD truck the 203 is a great case to have and will out handle the 205 in bad weather conditions any day of the week.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 173
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i would not change a thing leave it like it is they go alot better with the full time but u know they are not in 4wd all the time unless u lock it in. we have had both kind i like the 203 myself u don't have to lock it in unless snow is up to the hood lol. also you are not going to gain anymore mpg by changing it to part time we done a test one time to prove this. we took 2 truck's both 1978 ford's one with 203 t case and the other had the 205 t case same eng's and rearends we set a gallon jug in the floor board's and took off. same speed the one with the 205 part time ran out of gas first but be your own judge.
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,542
Likes: 5
From: Louisiana
RTM, trust me a part time kit is much cheaper to install than swapping to a 205.
I've looked into it. A used 205 with a new seal kit(if not seal and bearing kit), new front and rear driveshafts, adapter between t case and tranny, shifter and linkage, hubs, all kinds of cra*.
I have everything to do the swap(about $250 for everything I found used at great prices over a few months), but decided not to, b/c I would need ONE more thing. A new longer tailshaft off of a C6 w/a 205, then you need to tear down 1/2 the transmission just to swap tailshafts, and I really don't want to get into that. The conversion kit is the much cheaper route, but if you convert it, use the solid shaft, not the crown gears that just replace the spider gears in the range box, the solid shaft will last longer and will be very strong. If you have close to 200,000 miles on your truck with no new t case chain, it'd be a good idea to change it, and it'll last another 200k miles.
If you buy new, 1 new driveshaft cost over $200.
I've looked into it. A used 205 with a new seal kit(if not seal and bearing kit), new front and rear driveshafts, adapter between t case and tranny, shifter and linkage, hubs, all kinds of cra*.
I have everything to do the swap(about $250 for everything I found used at great prices over a few months), but decided not to, b/c I would need ONE more thing. A new longer tailshaft off of a C6 w/a 205, then you need to tear down 1/2 the transmission just to swap tailshafts, and I really don't want to get into that. The conversion kit is the much cheaper route, but if you convert it, use the solid shaft, not the crown gears that just replace the spider gears in the range box, the solid shaft will last longer and will be very strong. If you have close to 200,000 miles on your truck with no new t case chain, it'd be a good idea to change it, and it'll last another 200k miles.
If you buy new, 1 new driveshaft cost over $200.
