Hello All, I am new here and thank you all for being here. I have found that discussion groups are the best way to find excellent information and new friends.

I just bought a used 86' F250 with 24,000 miles on it. It is like brand spanking new. An older couple used it to tow their 5th wheel down from Montana to Arizona during the winters for a few years, and now they have decided to stay. I have never owned a Ford before, but have built quite a few Jeeps and Chevy's. I am a damn good mechanic but know little about Fords.

I never thought I would own a ford, but after fixing a bunch of little things that needed attention they seem to be a pretty well made truck.

I cannot go without a 4WD, as this beautiful truck is 2WD, I will need to convert it. I have taken on these projects before with no problems, but research seems to be the hardest part, you don't want to start buying parts to find out they don't work, then you are really screwed.

I have already lifted the truck 6" and dicked around with the front end geometry to get it pretty close, the twin I beam deal kind of sucks. I have a Ford dana 60F from an 88' 350 and will need to do the whole spring hanger weld, engineer, steering, shock, conversion. That is not my problem, I have plenty of experience fixing front ends.

I need to know about the NP205 addition to the C6 tranny. I have found some decent priced NP205's, but I am assuming I will need an adapter housing? It looks like a short aluminum piece that bolts to the rear of the C6 and then the NP205 bolts to that? Also, will I need to change the output shaft on the C6 to reach through the adapter housing? Any ideas, knowledge, input would be greatly appreciated on how to bolt the NP205 up and what parts I will need to go with it. Thanks in advance for your guys help!!

 

O.K. I've figured out the search option and found some very good information. There are two different NP205 adapter housings I have found, one has a single threaded boss, and the other has two (2) threaded bosses. I would assume that the single is for full-time 4wd, and the two boss type is for part-time 4wd. Is a NP205 available in part-time and full-time? or are they all the same? I also discovered it would be cheaper just to buy a 4WD C6 trans than to retrofit a 2WD trans with a new main shaft. Any ideas or resources where I can find more info? thanks

 

205 were gear drive and parttime only very tough. what motor are you running.

 

you could go with a divorced Np205, since there are so few miles on your c6

 

very good idea.
divorced case makes everything much easier.

 

I really don't understand why a divorced case would make things alot easier? I can get a reman C6 4x4 tranny for $350 and install it to my 460 in one afternoon. From there it's just the t-case and crossmembers right?

 

The divorced case does not require you to do anuthing other jan make a shaft
(that can be made from the existing shaft) with minimal modifications, and not need for an adapter to bolt the t-case to the transmission.
Many guys use the divorced case behind 2wd transmissions. Just super easy to put a divorced case in there. This way you can run large joints without running into clearance problems at the trans pan. Joints larger than 1310's with a short adapter usually hit the C6 trans pan.
Finding the right adapter is not hard, and re-building an entirely new transmission just to get to the output shaft is also not difficult, but using the divorced case makes everything no longer necessary. Just run the 2wd trans with no mods. Helps keep the driveline angles to a minimum too.

 

I did not consider the large ujoint issue, you are certainly right. But then I will need to fab custom crossmembers or what would you suggest to mount a np205 behind the C6 trans.

 

A complete front axle, including springs, hangers and shocks.

 

You actually sound as though you have a handle on everything, and as for your crossmember needs, you can use any crossmember, or fab one up yourself. Another advantage to the remote mount case (divorced) is that you do not necessarilly have to hang it as low as the factory did. If you fab up a custom crossmember from scratch, you can index the case to sit a bit higher and provide a little bit better clearance. This helps with breakover angles.
Any crossmember will work really, it is just a matter of making sure it reaches the frame rails, then you can bolt it up just about anywhere.

 

Thanks 75F350, that is exactly what I wanted to hear, and what I kind of figured, but was not sure. Thanks again.

 

No worries man. Obviously the choice in case design is entirely yours, either way, good luck, and keep us posted on your progress.

 

I have a 460 - c6 - and txfr case in an 1988 f250 with less than 90,000 mi. all in good condition for sale. location is Tucson AZ.

 

Hey 2desertrat, PM sent.