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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => 4 Wheel Drives => Topic started by: 74k20 on February 14, 2011, 02:13:55 PM

Title: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: 74k20 on February 14, 2011, 02:13:55 PM
Curiosity question.  My '74 K20 np203 transfer case shifter is a Hurst. 

Is this the original shifter?  My grandpa (original owner) never stated he replaced it, but maybe he just forgot?

Thanks,
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Blazin on February 14, 2011, 08:31:09 PM
Not that I ever heard of!
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: KY..Rob on February 14, 2011, 08:36:57 PM
I haven't heard of or seen any on the Transfer Cases. They did come on a few of the 4x4 SM465 transmissions. The majority of the Hurst shifters on our trucks were probably on the 833 trans 2x4 trucks. But thats not to say it wasn't a dealer installed item?  
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: bake74 on February 14, 2011, 11:05:26 PM
     I don't believe so, but go here http://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-heritage-archive/vehicle-information-kits.html , look up your truck, they have the RPO codes for your year and make of truck.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Jason S on August 02, 2011, 08:21:28 PM
My '73 GMC K2500 has a NP203 with a shifter stamped Hurst. I'm pretty sure that it was factory equipped that way, but have no way of being certain.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Captkaos on August 03, 2011, 06:52:26 PM
As far as I know none came with a Hurst Shifter on the T-case or anything for that matter.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Blazin on August 03, 2011, 07:37:10 PM
The bolt pattern on the 203 shifter for the stick is the same as the Hurst competition plus shifter. Was just at a buddy of mines house the other day and he is using a 203 shift handle on a competition plus shifter in his 32 Ford street rod.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: DustyRusty on August 03, 2011, 07:41:39 PM
Interesting discussion.  I agree w/ KY Rob that there were a few 4x4 SM465 trucks that had them.  I've only seen two equipped that way and the owners were not the type to put the Hurst-T on the shift lever as an aftermarket item.  Never seen one for the t-case lever.  Sounds like somebody just took one of the Hurst-T handles and screwed it on the t-case lever.

Rusty
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: beastie_3 on August 04, 2011, 11:52:19 AM
http://forum.73-87chevytrucks.com/smforum/index.php?topic=20499.0
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: ehjorten on August 04, 2011, 11:58:37 AM
I have the same Hurst knob on my '77 K20.  It was there when I bought it.  I have no idea if the previous owner put it there, but it is curious that so many have the same thing!
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Jason S on August 04, 2011, 06:11:53 PM
The NP203 shifter in my '73 is stamped Hurst.  It's not a knob or T-handle. Except for having Hurst stamped into the side, it's the same shifter as every other NP203 shifter that I've seen.  Was Hurst a supplier for the NP203 shifter mechanisms?
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Blazin on August 07, 2011, 08:38:14 AM
Like I said the two bolt holes are the same distance apart on a 203, and a Hurst competition plus shifter.  Most likely that more then one owner has figured this out, and swapped them for some reason or another. Shifter, and shifter knob are two separate items. T handle knobs were never offered stock on these trucks. If there is one in a truck, and you didn't put it there it was installed by a previous owner.
One of the first things I do when I get a truck is swap out the stock knob for a Hurst T knob. As far as the T case I leave the stock knob on it.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: fisher on August 17, 2011, 07:30:16 PM
I have 1974 K10 SB with 465 /203 combo and it has a original Hurst Transfer Case Shifter....they must have come from GM that way.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: bake74 on August 17, 2011, 10:31:51 PM
     My 74 k10 465/302 does not have the hurst shifter, though I am the 3 or 4 owner that I know of.  It looks to be stock but can not  be 100% positive.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: 74k20 on August 17, 2011, 10:33:12 PM
While chatting with my grandpa (original owner), the np203 Hurst shifter is original and has never been replaced or worked on.  Factory original and 150k mile on it now.  Kind of cool.

Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 17, 2011, 11:58:12 PM
i cant see hurst putting a shifter where the stock boot covers half their name
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: jdl71 on August 30, 2011, 09:46:38 PM
Is it possible that Hurst did make the shifters for GM, just without the Hurst stamping? Is it also possible that GM had a shortage and had to use some with Hurst stamped on them as it seems these posts are all about '73-'74 trucks?
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 31, 2011, 08:20:56 AM
there was something i was reading about dealers doing something to post 74 chevy's transmissions
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Irish_Alley on August 31, 2011, 08:39:37 AM
it was about headers but this is it
(http://i333.photobucket.com/albums/m387/rebel_cowboy_83/stuff/headerinfo.png)
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Cabcorner on September 15, 2011, 05:44:26 AM
   I did an Ebay search on Hurst shifters and not only the handle but the 203 shift box looks like a Hurst design . I wonder if not GM maybe New Process had a collaboration with Hurst.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Irish_Alley on September 15, 2011, 10:11:58 AM
sorry i posted the wrong pic lol. but look at letter "c" now like i said it had to do with headers but seams weird that the same year trucks might also have a hurts shifter
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Jason S on October 11, 2011, 11:47:52 PM
Doing a little bit of research on the subject has netted the following:

There were apparently two transfer case shifter designs for the NP 203; one was a Hurst unit that was riveted together and the other was the GM that was mostly bolted together.

The Hurst shifter handle (i.e., the chrome shift arm through the floor could be found on Hurst and GM units.

There is a way to twin-stick the GM NP203 Transfer case shifter using the parts from two shifters.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: jdl71 on October 12, 2011, 08:52:58 PM
Doing a little bit of research on the subject has netted the following:

There were apparently two transfer case shifter designs for the NP 203; one was a Hurst unit that was riveted together and the other was the GM that was mostly bolted together.

The Hurst shifter handle (i.e., the chrome shift arm through the floor could be found on Hurst and GM units.

There is a way to twin-stick the GM NP203 Transfer case shifter using the parts from two shifters.

I'm afraid I don't see the advantage in twin sticking a 203. You've already got 2LO. What other combination can be gained from this?

BTW I'd love to see some more pics of the trucks in your avatar. Nice looking rigs.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Cabcorner on October 15, 2011, 04:43:33 PM
                       I did the twin stick conversion on my 203 shifter . It was fairly easy and shifts much easier . Here's a link on how to do it



.http://www.wheelindixie.com/forums/showthread.php?970-NP-203-twin-stick-build
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: bake74 on October 15, 2011, 05:47:13 PM
     Thanks for the link, I might have to think about doing that to my 203.
Title: Re: Did my np203 originally come with a hurst shifter in my '74 K20
Post by: Jason S on October 18, 2011, 07:55:07 PM
I'm afraid I don't see the advantage in twin sticking a 203. You've already got 2LO. What other combination can be gained from this?

BTW I'd love to see some more pics of the trucks in your avatar. Nice looking rigs.
[/quote]

Often, the NP203 transfer case shifter can be a "finicky piece of work."

 By eliminating some of the junk in the shifter box (especially if its worn out, corroded or just plain muddy), you can have a shifter that gives you a positive engagement into whatever range or drive selection.

RE: BTW:  Your comment is much appreciated, Please see the members rides section for postings.