np208?

[frotosride]

I'm a little new to the 4x4 community as far as actually working on one of my own. Currently I have an '87 silver with 350tbi(soon to be laid to rest when i can walk again, and replaced with 383), 700r4, np208. I know that the np208 isn't the best case out there but I don't plan on rock crawling or anything outside of a few fields and mud holes..so, what are the down falls to this case and are there any upgrades that i can do when i rebuild it to make it last longer? Is there a kit out there that may replace the chain with a gear or maybe a stronger chain thats not hard to gt my hands on?

[Blazin]

No kit to replace the chain. The down fall of this case is in my experience bearings. I have had several that have had bearing failure. They don't like huge tires. The torque bar from the right side to the bell housing bolt adds longevity to them.

[Irish_Alley]

upgrades two that i can think of i know theres more but one is a 205 and the other 203 lol i personally haven't used a 208 but i know with my 203 and 38s haven't broke it yet i doubt the 208 can hold up its like half the size of the 203. if you plan on doing any off road besides getting stuck on accident then go with a better transfer case

[Grim 82]

The 208 isn't a bad t-case. If you are doing any serious 4 wheeling then do as Irish said and get a 205. I don't know of any way to beef up a 208, but if you don't beat it to death it can last for decades, like mine has.

[Blazin]

The one I have had fail not due to bearings was because of large tires, and hard wheeling. I have broken half a dozen in half. I have had them last for years in plow trucks though.

[frotosride]

Thanks guys, Grim I would like to say i wouldn't beat it but i treat all my toys like they are "red headed fords" and it would be a lie to say i won't. I think i will go with a 205 because i may run larger tires than 35 at some points and i like having the ability to do a doubler later on for climbing. but til it breaks i will just get a tougher chain and wait til  it streaches too much or just breaks. What would be a good price to pay for a 205.
Irish you said there were two upgrades you can think of but you never said what they are. Mind sharing?

[Irish_Alley]

It was a joke saying upgrade to a 203 or 205. IMO the 208 ain't good unless your staying stock

[Grim 82]

If you are going 35's or bigger then go with a 205. I have seen them anywhere from $100 out of a parts truck to a grand for this beauty  http://www.polyperformance.com/shop/Offroad-Design-Complete-NP205-Transfer-Case-p-19034.html

[Irish_Alley]

I have 38s as I said and nothing on my 203 has failed yet. Broke front drive shafts and axle shafts but knock on wood nothing on the t case

[fitz]

What would be a good price to pay for a 205.

I'd be more worried about that 700R4 tranny than your 208 transfer case.
Around here you can get a turbo 400/205 or a turbo 350/205 for around $500.
Thats for a complete set up with the tranny, transfer case, shifter, and crossmember.
Sometimes you can score a complete parts truck for cheap money if you look around.   

[frotosride]

[/quote]

I'd be more worried about that 700R4 tranny than your 208 transfer case.
Around here you can get a turbo 400/205 or a turbo 350/205 for around $500.
Thats for a complete set up with the tranny, transfer case, shifter, and crossmember.
Sometimes you can score a complete parts truck for cheap money if you look around.   
[/quote]

The 700 should be fine. Monster in a box is amazing and with all the upgraded parts i've seen them take a lot of punishment.

[frotosride]

It was a joke saying upgrade to a 203 or 205. IMO the 208 ain't good unless your staying stock

Gotcha, after reading it again i got what you were saying. lil slow pain meds will do that to you but thank God i can walk now...

[Grim 82]

frotosride, if you don't mind, what happened? In the Army I just happened to fall out of an airplane and broke my pelvis and sheared some tendons in my SI joints. Like you said, thank God, because I can also walk. I wish you a speedy recovery.

[Josh454]

Nothing wrong with a 208.  The only problem with them is guys put 300,000 miles on them and then put in in their project truck and beat the crap out of them.  Often times, the thing is ready to grenade as it is anyhow. 

With fresh, tight internals you would have no problems running 38's with moderate to occasional severe use.  They are light and have the awesome 2.61 low range.  They were good enough to use with TH400's and diesel torque.

I have seen worn out 205's fail with weak 350's and 33's.  If it was a 208 everyone would bag on it for being a weak chain driven case.

[VileZambonie]

Agreed with everything Josh454 said.

The military trucks came with them and I've had great luck with them. They are light and dependable. They are easy to R&R&R and the best part is they are a dime a dozen. You blow yours up, you can find another one for $75 bucks. Run ATF in it too not 10w or gear oil. The chain is pretty dang strong too. Chains have a little more give whereas gears are more likely to cause a catastrophic event when they go.