Transfer Case questions for the clueless

[Brad54]

I'm new to 4x4 trucks.
I've got a '76 Dodge that had a full-time transfer case, and auto. We swapped it out with a donor from a '78 Ramcharger that is part-time. I don't know the designation of the case, but it does what I want it to. (also swapped the tired BB out for a new Magnum small block crate engine, and the auto trans for a Granny 4spd.) Eventually, I'll get the donor front axle under the truck too, so I've got lock-out hubs.

Basically, I had to replace the entire driveline just to get what Chevy sent from the factory a decade and a half earlier! 2WD Hi, 4Hi/4Lo, Granny 4spd and lock-out hubs.

I've got a '62 K10 that I'm going to start over the winter.
I know nothing about the t-case in it.
What trnsfer case am I dealing with? What are the good points and bad points about it?

What are the differences between it and the NP205?

And if I have the opportunity to replace it with an NP205, should I? And why?

I'll be using a New Process YM6 4spd OD manual trans ahead of it, and 3.23 or 3.42 gears in the diffs (.72:1 OD). Maybe 3.55, depending on final tire selection. It will be a daily driver, and I'll use it for hunting and camping, and maybe light mudding and trail riding. Won't be rock-climbing or doing anything too aggressive with it, so I don't need deep gears or Granny lo (past what 4Lo will give me).

Will also eventually use it on construction site type of environments.

Thanks,

-Brad

[RedRoad]

Stock TC for your early GM is a Rockwell 221. Now obsolete and VERY difficult to get parts for you are better off going with the bulletproof and affordable NP205. Plenty of versions to choose from and great aftermarket support.

Not sure if you are now running a divorced NP205 in your dodge but that would be the ticket.

As for the 221 dont just throw it away as the hard core resto crowd really needs the parts!!!

[Brad54]

The case in my Dodge bolts to the back of the trans.
I need a divorced case for the Chevy, as I'll be running the 4spd OD with it.
-Brad

[b454rat]

GM supposedly never used a divorced 205, but I think I saw one in a 73 K30. GM didn't make a 1 ton 4wd till 76, this truck had a 454, not sure on tranny, used a Dana 44 front. Never got the chance to look under to see what it was...

Dodge and Intersmashable used the div. 205, both are pass side drop. Maybe you can get lucky, and the frame width from yours is the same as the Dodge, you could use the crossmember from it....

[BigSix]

As mentioned you have the Rockwell BUT and a big BUT is that they are pretty tough and you may never need parts. Theres enough of them out there where you could get a parts one later on anyway. I wouldn't change it for a 205. Now sure what you do with the truck but the low range is pretty lame but not much worse than a 205 which is also not amazing. I liked my rockwell but swapped it out for a married setup.

[RedRoad]

Big6 is right. The 221 is in the same boat as the HO52/72 full floating rears, difficult finding parts but only need them if abused or not maintained. HD parts that last if taken care of.

What makes the difference for me is if the vehicle is a daily driver. I go for parts availability over originality unless a low mile survivor is the case.

Get it going, see how it sounds/feels then make the decision.

[andrewmp6]

Yeah your stuck running a dodge divorced case,Or you could run a ford one but will need a ford front axle.Or use a later trans that uses a married case might be the easiest way to do it.

['63GENIII]

I ran the 221 in my '63 for close to 6 years. It did just fine. Parts are not impossible to find although they are more difficult than some of the newer cases like the 205. Bearings and seals can be had pretty easily. Shafts, gears and the like are a little tougher to find. The 221 makes more noise and heat than most 205 or similar t cases. If you look at the input and output shafts on a 221 vs a 205, you will notice that the 221 input is higher on the case than the output. The input power travels through an idler shaft and then out through the output. The 2 gear mesh points account for much of the extra sound and heat. The 205 (when in 2 wheel drive acts almost like a center support bearing on a driveshaft - no gear mesh, heat or noise. If you ever get the chance to see the two t cases open and side by side, the differences get even bigger. The 205 has massive helical cut gears.
All this said, my 221 held up well behind a 396 for a long time hauling up to 4+ tons of tractor, concrete, the boat - whatever I threw at it. It just started making a little more noise over time and I had a divorced 205 already. The 205 replaced the 221 with careful measuring, lots of thinking and using the 221 bushings and original crossmember. The 221 was cool for when it was built and I wouldn't replace one thats not giving you any trouble just for the sake of having a 205 but I will also say that I'm not nostalgic enough to look back. The 221 is still in the garage if anyone needs parts but I don't see it ever going back into the 63.

[61K10]

Unless you are hard of hearing, go with a 205. 221's are just too noisy.

['63GENIII]

What??!??

[BigSix]

Again - I'll say your results may vary. My 221 was whisper quiet. It had been gone through by the previous owner, but not a wonderful shop might I say.

[61K10]

you must have a a rare one as I've never heard one that was quiet, and i have heard a few. I'v been around awhile lol.

GEN63--your t/f/c looks like an International (bolts at the top) where the Dodge almost looks like the 221 bolt set-up.