NP205 Transfer Case Shift Pattern - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

jec · 09-25-2005, 08:34 PM

I just finished installing my shifter after disassembly, cleaning, and lubing with lithium grease. Much to my suprise, I now have a total of five (5) positions, instead of, the previous four (4) positions. I thought everything was working properly before as I had 4Lo, Neutral, 2Hi, and 4Hi, however, I must have been mistaken.

Is this a factory shifter for a 1972 K20 truck?

The pattern I now have is as follows from front to rear:

4 Lo
2 Lo
Neutral
2 Hi
4 Hi

Anyone else have the above shift pattern?

LUV2XCLR8 · 09-25-2005, 08:36 PM

Never seen one w/ 5, mine has all of the above except 2wd high

*Actually I didn't look at it, I'm just going by memory, so I could b wrong

*wolfthing2000* · 09-25-2005, 08:43 PM

I believe that the transfercase is just not engaged all of the way into low range. Some Jeep transfercases do this and it can realy cause you trouble if you get on it with only partial engagement!!! Y ou are doubling the torque to your rear drive line and axle, with a healthy v-8 you stand a good chance to break something. I had a 76 truck with auto tranny and it had the 203 transfercase and it would do exactly as you describe. Just engage farther and everything willm be functioning as it should.

al's71gmc · 09-25-2005, 09:09 PM

I've never seen one with the 2wd low, but there are times I wished I had one with a hi geared truck, no granny 4 spd. Sounds like you're only engaging it part way. Does your shift knob show 2L? I'd be worried about a sudden 4wd engagement when your under torque..that might do some damage.

*wolfthing2000* · 09-25-2005, 09:23 PM

What he said!

72 CustomCamper · 09-25-2005, 09:42 PM

You can 2 low out of a NP 205, but that's with a twin stick conversion...

Chuck

70short/step · 09-25-2005, 09:48 PM

The 4 Gm 4X4's I have had various years. The N/P 203 had
2Lo
4Lo
N
2Hi
4Hi
The N/P205 had
4LO
N
2Hi
4Hi

Scrubby · 09-25-2005, 10:05 PM

Yeah, no case stock has a 2Lo. I bet your in between gears with the front output disengaged, but the range in low. Probably not good on your case to run like that.

You can get 2Lo with a twin stick setup on a 205. Kinda cool because you can also select which axle you want driving in 2wd.

72 CustomCamper · 09-25-2005, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70short/step

The 4 Gm 4X4's I have had various years. The N/P 203 had
2Lo
4Lo
N
2Hi
4Hi
The N/P205 had
4LO
N
2Hi
4Hi

Only way a NP 203 can have 2 low and 2 hi is with a part time conversion. The NP 203 is a full time 4x4 case. The shift pattern for a NP 203 is
4 lo lock
4 lo
N
4 hi
4 high lock...

Chuck

Scrubby · 09-25-2005, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 70short/step

The 4 Gm 4X4's I have had various years. The N/P 203 had
2Lo
4Lo
N
2Hi
4Hi

The 203 shift pattern is:

Low Loc
Low
Neutral
High
High Loc

It is always in 4wd because it is a full time case. If you have it converted to part time it becomes:

4 Low
2 Low
Neutral
2 High
4 High

More info here: http://www.gmtrucks.org/wiki/faq/transfer_case

jec · 09-25-2005, 11:14 PM

More specific details on my transfer case shift pattern.....There are two (2) levers on the transfer case itself. The outer lever has three (3) positions and controls ratios with rear pos. = Lo, center pos. = Neutral, and forward pos. = Hi. The inner lever has only two (2) positions and when move forward engages the front driveshaft (4WD).

All five (5) positions are distinct and positive. I am sure there is not any partial engagement of gears, etc. The operation of the shifter is as follows:

Full forward = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever forward (4WD).
Position 2 = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever back (2WD).
Position 3 = outer lever center (neut), inner lever back (2WD).
Position 4 = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever back (2WD).
Full Back = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever forward (4WD).

The operation of the transfer case levers is function of the shift lever. I may try to get some pics. tomorrow since my cab is removed and everything is easy to see. Hopefully, someone can identify what type of shifter I have.

72 CustomCamper · 09-25-2005, 11:45 PM

Sounds like a twin stick conversion for a NP 205...

Chuck

jec · 09-26-2005, 01:01 PM

Found a picture of my exact transfer case and shifter on Evil Bay. It is mated to a TH400, however, everything from transmission back is identical to my set-up.

Maybe this is an NP203. Ad says it is out of a 1977 Chevy Blazer.

72 CustomCamper · 09-26-2005, 06:07 PM

That case in the pic is a NP 203...

Chuck

LUV2XCLR8 · 09-26-2005, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72 CustomCamper

Sounds like a twin stick conversion for a NP 205...

Chuck

jec · 09-26-2005, 07:54 PM

Thanks for all the feedback.

The popular opinion says that I have an NP203 converted to part-time.

I included some pics of my set-up.

72 CustomCamper · 09-26-2005, 11:13 PM

That is 100% a NP 203...

Chuck

Rod · 10-05-2005, 08:30 PM

I'll second that..its a 203.

09-25-2005, 08:34 PM	#1
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	NP205 Transfer Case Shift Pattern I just finished installing my shifter after disassembly, cleaning, and lubing with lithium grease. Much to my suprise, I now have a total of five (5) positions, instead of, the previous four (4) positions. I thought everything was working properly before as I had 4Lo, Neutral, 2Hi, and 4Hi, however, I must have been mistaken. Is this a factory shifter for a 1972 K20 truck? The pattern I now have is as follows from front to rear: 4 Lo 2 Lo Neutral 2 Hi 4 Hi Anyone else have the above shift pattern?

09-25-2005, 08:36 PM	#2
LUV2XCLR8 The LuvShack Garage Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Maple Grove, TN (West Side) Posts: 30,468	Never seen one w/ 5, mine has all of the above except 2wd high Actually I didn't look at it, I'm just going by memory, so I could b wrong __________________ Owner/Op: "TN Classic Transport Carriers" The Toy: "Square Vette" 72 Hybrid Blazer Toy Barn: "LuvShack" 40 x 60 x 20 Shop Tow Piggy:"Maddy" 88 Silverado 3500 Hauler: "Feathers" 14 Aluma 8218T Last edited by LUV2XCLR8; 09-25-2005 at 08:38 PM.*

09-25-2005, 09:09 PM	#4
al's71gmc 4 eyed fever Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Eureka, Nevada Posts: 500	I've never seen one with the 2wd low, but there are times I wished I had one with a hi geared truck, no granny 4 spd. Sounds like you're only engaging it part way. Does your shift knob show 2L? I'd be worried about a sudden 4wd engagement when your under torque..that might do some damage. __________________ 1971 GMC 2500 4x4 1972 GMC Sierra Grande 1/2 t 4x4-#1 son's truck. Recently completed resto. 4 YO daughter," Daddy, I like your truck better than Mom's." (2000 F350-ranch truck) Smart kid!!

09-25-2005, 09:42 PM	#6
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	You can 2 low out of a NP 205, but that's with a twin stick conversion... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

09-25-2005, 09:48 PM	#7
70short/step Registered User Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Stockton, CA Posts: 1,579	The 4 Gm 4X4's I have had various years. The N/P 203 had 2Lo 4Lo N 2Hi 4Hi The N/P205 had 4LO N 2Hi 4Hi __________________ For every person with a spark of genius, There are a hundred with ignition trouble. 70 Short/Step

09-25-2005, 08:43 PM	#3
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	I believe that the transfercase is just not engaged all of the way into low range. Some Jeep transfercases do this and it can realy cause you trouble if you get on it with only partial engagement!!! Y ou are doubling the torque to your rear drive line and axle, with a healthy v-8 you stand a good chance to break something. I had a 76 truck with auto tranny and it had the 203 transfercase and it would do exactly as you describe. Just engage farther and everything willm be functioning as it should.

09-25-2005, 09:23 PM	#5
wolfthing2000 Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 1,276	What he said!

09-25-2005, 10:05 PM	#8
Scrubby Check out GMTrucks.org Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Boise, Id Posts: 284	Yeah, no case stock has a 2Lo. I bet your in between gears with the front output disengaged, but the range in low. Probably not good on your case to run like that. You can get 2Lo with a twin stick setup on a 205. Kinda cool because you can also select which axle you want driving in 2wd.

09-25-2005, 11:14 PM	#11
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	More specific details on my transfer case shift pattern.....There are two (2) levers on the transfer case itself. The outer lever has three (3) positions and controls ratios with rear pos. = Lo, center pos. = Neutral, and forward pos. = Hi. The inner lever has only two (2) positions and when move forward engages the front driveshaft (4WD). All five (5) positions are distinct and positive. I am sure there is not any partial engagement of gears, etc. The operation of the shifter is as follows: Full forward = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever forward (4WD). Position 2 = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever back (2WD). Position 3 = outer lever center (neut), inner lever back (2WD). Position 4 = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever back (2WD). Full Back = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever forward (4WD). The operation of the transfer case levers is function of the shift lever. I may try to get some pics. tomorrow since my cab is removed and everything is easy to see. Hopefully, someone can identify what type of shifter I have.

09-25-2005, 11:45 PM	#12
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	Sounds like a twin stick conversion for a NP 205... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

09-26-2005, 01:01 PM	#13
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	Found a picture of my exact transfer case and shifter on Evil Bay. It is mated to a TH400, however, everything from transmission back is identical to my set-up. Maybe this is an NP203. Ad says it is out of a 1977 Chevy Blazer. Attached Images

09-26-2005, 06:07 PM	#14
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	That case in the pic is a NP 203... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

09-26-2005, 07:54 PM	#16
jec Registered User Join Date: May 2000 Location: Middletown, Ohio Posts: 131	Thanks for all the feedback. The popular opinion says that I have an NP203 converted to part-time. I included some pics of my set-up. Attached Images

09-26-2005, 11:13 PM	#17
72 CustomCamper huh ??? Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Fredericksburg,Va. Posts: 3,368	That is 100% a NP 203... Chuck __________________ 90 Blazer Silverado 350w/ 700R4 and 32" Kelly's "I am a bomb technician. If you see me running try to keep up!"

10-05-2005, 08:30 PM	#18
Rod Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Eastern - Manitoba Canada, Winnipeg Posts: 4,369	I'll second that..its a 203. __________________ Senior active founding member. 70 3/4 ton GMC Suburban 4x4 250/4 spd. 71 1/2 ton Suburban Chevy 4x4, 350/350 72 Chev 1 ton tow truck 402BB w/Holmes 440 wrecker on propane 2005 FLSTSCI Harley Springer 85 FXSB Harley Lowrider 72 Triumph 650 Bonneville 5spd "Poor people don't have hobbies" Quote from wife.



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