The NP241 transfer case was manufactured by New Process. This model is chain driven and is provided with both manual and electrical shifting, Chevrolet, GMC and Dodge utilized manual shifting. The NP241 was used in Chevrolet, GM, Dodge pickups & Jeep Rubicon. This unit was utilized beginning in 1988.
To see a web page that shows the years and applications click
here.
So to answer your question. You are right, the NP241C started being used in 1988. Someone put it in your 1983 using a
adapter kit like this one. What transmission does your friend have ? If it is a th350 they will need the adapter plate that is with it, if 700r4 then it is what it came off of.
Both the NP241C and the 208 are 27 spline as is the output shafts of the th350/700R4 transmissions (the 700r4 transmission is longer than the 241c), the only difference is you need the adapter plate I mentioned earlier to move from 700r4 to a th350 transmission.