transfer case questions

[black_dog]

I've got a '68 k10 lwb, had it for a couple weeks now. This is my first classic chevy, so bear with me.....
I believe the original tc in this truck was the rockwell 221, judging by the sticker on the roof with the shift pattern and the patched hole to the left of the gear shift. Is that correct? I now have a np205. Is this considered an improvement? How can I identify when this transfer case was manufactured? I have to use two hands to shift the thing, is this pretty standard or is there a trick I don't know?
How far should I have to go back from 2hi to 4hi? I don't have much clearance between 2hi and my seat and I am concerned that I am not engaging 4hi all the way. If it is as far back as 4lo is forward, I am definitely not getting there.
Thanks for any help. There are pictures of the truck in the welcome area.

[Americanrider]

The truck came with a Rockwell T221, they are always leaky, loud and tend to blow up when the front bearings don't get enough oil/lube. The NP 205 is the best Transfer Case made so someone did a good swap. There should be a build tag on the case, front side on newer ones or along the edge. Ya have to Look under the grease.... lol

The 205's shifters are the problem. It is 1 stick trying to moving two shift rails via a equailizer lever and when they are worn there is a lot of room for binding up the shifter.

Replace the pins, bushings and cotter pins and it should work fine. Or spend a bit of cash and have it twin-sticked.

1-Trans mount shifter bushings
2-Pivot pin
3&4-shift rail pivot points

Welcome from the west (wet) side of the state!

[1969K10]

Originally Posted by black_dog

I've got a '68 k10 lwb, had it for a couple weeks now. This is my first classic chevy, so bear with me.....
I believe the original tc in this truck was the rockwell 221, judging by the sticker on the roof with the shift pattern and the patched hole to the left of the gear shift. Is that correct? I now have a np205. Is this considered an improvement? How can I identify when this transfer case was manufactured? I have to use two hands to shift the thing, is this pretty standard or is there a trick I don't know?
How far should I have to go back from 2hi to 4hi? I don't have much clearance between 2hi and my seat and I am concerned that I am not engaging 4hi all the way. If it is as far back as 4lo is forward, I am definitely not getting there.
Thanks for any help. There are pictures of the truck in the welcome area.

While I loved my old Rockwell, I am starting to like my NP205. the best part of your X-fer already being upgraded, is availability of parts. Trying to rebuild an old rockwell gets expensive, QUICK! and the 205 is MUCH quieter.
Sounds like your shifter stuff isn't tight, or wollered out from years of abuse. And yes, it probably moves as far back as it does forward. I am in the process of bending my shifter levers (twin stick) to clear the front of the seat.

[black_dog]

Thanks for the help.
I can assure you I will have many more questions as I work through all of the little problems with the truck.
This site is a great resource, glad to be a part of it.

[Wreckless_71]

Yeah...like these guys said the 205 is pretty much bullet proof... the only thing you need to watch for is the bottom mount, where the transmission/transfer case coupler mounts to the x-member they tend to break.

[the_goat]

DO you guys know what each shift rail controls? I can't get the inner shift rail, the one on the left, to go back in. What gear am I in?
Thanks for the help, not trying to steal the thread

[1969K10]

the rail closest to the driver is rear, and the rail closest to the passenger is the front. Forward is engaged HI, middle is nuetral & back is engaged LO. that is movement of the rail, not the shifter...

[the_goat]

Great, thanks. It worked when I removed it but ever since the 700r4 swap it's been stuck forward.

[2nd_wnd]

Originally Posted by Americanrider

Replace the pins, bushings and cotter pins and it should work fine. Or spend a bit of cash and have it twin-sticked.

can you explain twin sticked?
I might be interested in doing this

[Musclerodz]

The shift pattern for the Rockwell is different than the pattern on a 205. Found that out on this K20 I am working on.

Twin stick means there is 2 levers instead of one.

[special-K]

The twin sticks operate the two shift rods independanyly.So,you can engage the axles seperately or together.

[FormerMember]

Originally Posted by special-K

The twin sticks operate the two shift rods independanyly.So,you can engage the axles seperately or together.

it requires grinding the shift rails a little bit, so the interlock bearings don't interfere.

I am in the process of doing it. I also have two 205's apart on my bench right now, to make the best 205 you can get...

I can take pictures of whatever you need.

[the_goat]

How difficult is it to replace the pins, bushings and cotter pins or, I guess, to rebuild the entire transfercase? How much should it cost to have someone rebuild a 205 if I decided to go that route?

[msgross]

BLACK DOG, i'm doing a 68 K-10 right now, plenty of pictures in the links in my sig... i'm currently keeping my Rockwell since it seemed to work fine. The 205 is a nice upgrade from what i've heard. I might be there in a few years...

[1969K10]

Originally Posted by the_goat

How difficult is it to replace the pins, bushings and cotter pins or, I guess, to rebuild the entire transfercase? How much should it cost to have someone rebuild a 205 if I decided to go that route?

You can do the basic stuff that you're talking about by yourself in your garage in a long afternoon, It's not that bad as long as you have all the seals you'll need. As far as actually rebuilding one of these X-fers. They're just gears, shafts & retainers. But it'll cost you to have a shop do it for you.