203 Transfer case help
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203 Transfer case help
First off let me say Im new to the site and you guys are awesome.
I have a 78 250 with a 400, C6, and 203 Case. I found it in a backyard, got a decent price, and back to running. The only problem is the transfer case linkage has been replaced with a bubba built twin stick (by stick I mean flat stock steel), linkage that they did a horrrrrible job on. the two linkages bind up. Bolts rub together. All kinds of stuff. I cant tell what range or gear its in. I've never dealt with a 203, just the 205's. I got a shifter off of a 205. Is there any way I can use it to start and make new linkages? Its been converted to a part time with manual lockers. Any help would be appreciated.
I have a 78 250 with a 400, C6, and 203 Case. I found it in a backyard, got a decent price, and back to running. The only problem is the transfer case linkage has been replaced with a bubba built twin stick (by stick I mean flat stock steel), linkage that they did a horrrrrible job on. the two linkages bind up. Bolts rub together. All kinds of stuff. I cant tell what range or gear its in. I've never dealt with a 203, just the 205's. I got a shifter off of a 205. Is there any way I can use it to start and make new linkages? Its been converted to a part time with manual lockers. Any help would be appreciated.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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Welcome to the site.
For proper operation of this transfer case, you will need a shifter for a 203 and not just a shift lever like the 205 unit. The difference is that the 203 has a range selection lever and one that engages the front output. So, this means that a single lever will have to be able to select one linkage or another. This would be a gate type shift selector.
Now, by using two individual levers, this will allow you to engage the 2wd and 4wd independant from the low range and high range. This will also permit the use of 2wd low range.
You are forced to find a shifter that is designed for a "converted" 203, or make a better set of shifters using the twin stick design.
For proper operation of this transfer case, you will need a shifter for a 203 and not just a shift lever like the 205 unit. The difference is that the 203 has a range selection lever and one that engages the front output. So, this means that a single lever will have to be able to select one linkage or another. This would be a gate type shift selector.
Now, by using two individual levers, this will allow you to engage the 2wd and 4wd independant from the low range and high range. This will also permit the use of 2wd low range.
You are forced to find a shifter that is designed for a "converted" 203, or make a better set of shifters using the twin stick design.
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Alright. I appreciate it. Can you tell me which lever is the range selector. Im thinking about putting it in hi and leaving it there. I would like to be able to shift between 4 and 2 though. Or can I accomplish this by leaving it in 4 and unlocking the hubs? Or can I leave it in 4 and just go the opposite with the range selector to go from lo to hi? I know its all a bit confusing but I live in cleveland and parts are hard to come by. (Plus mama said my "toy" is turning into an investment) Heres what Im thinking
1) Leave it in hi and have 2 or 4 selection
2) Leave it in 4 and have Hi/Lo selection
1) Leave it in hi and have 2 or 4 selection
2) Leave it in 4 and have Hi/Lo selection
Post Fiend
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I was thinking and thinking, and cant for the life of me remember which lever does what. I believe the outer most lever, this is the funny shaped on on the leaft side of the case is responsible for the engagement of the front output, and the short flat lever inside of that is the range selection.
Easy enough to figure out, just remove the old linkage and then click one of the levers and see what happens. These are straight line patterns, so they are either engaged in one thing or another. You can easilly determine the 4wd engagement, by selecting it and trying to turn the front driveshaft. If the hubs are unlocked, and the case is engageed, the driveshaft will not turn. Once de-selected the shaft will once again turn by hand. Then you will know which lever does what.
Easy enough to figure out, just remove the old linkage and then click one of the levers and see what happens. These are straight line patterns, so they are either engaged in one thing or another. You can easilly determine the 4wd engagement, by selecting it and trying to turn the front driveshaft. If the hubs are unlocked, and the case is engageed, the driveshaft will not turn. Once de-selected the shaft will once again turn by hand. Then you will know which lever does what.
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Again, I appreciate it. Its such a mess under there I dont know if anythings right. Which selector on the case will give me range? Top or bottom? Like I said I dont know anything about the 203's. Ive been trying to figure it out for weeks.... It keeps me up at night
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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There are only two levers on the case, and one is around the other. It appears that they ride in a common shaft. IN other words they are together on a common shaft. These are on the side of the case.
You mentioned top and bottom. Are you sure that you have a 203?
Either way, just click them as I mentioned above and you should be able to figure it out.
You mentioned top and bottom. Are you sure that you have a 203?
Either way, just click them as I mentioned above and you should be able to figure it out.
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Got it! Youre the man!
What are your thoughts on leaving it in 4, and just unlocking the hubs for 2?
What are your thoughts on leaving it in 4, and just unlocking the hubs for 2?
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If this is possible, I would like to go down to one shifter for just the range IF ITS POSSIBLE
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2006
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JUst unlock the front hubs and it will be fine. You wont take advantage of any fuel savings, but this is minimal.
That till work. You will just have to lock the hubs when you need 4wd.
Creating a twin stick shifter is really pretty easy, ,so you can actually fix this correctly without spending too much.
That till work. You will just have to lock the hubs when you need 4wd.
Creating a twin stick shifter is really pretty easy, ,so you can actually fix this correctly without spending too much.