Advise on transfer case

[alex85K10]

Hello All,
 I'm looking for some advise on how to best handle getting my truck back to a working 4x4.

To start with i bought the truck for dirt cheap and the previous owner had the truck switched from a standard to an auto. That is not a really big deal for me because my girl doesn't like standards. This issue that I is they took the transfer case out and now it not a 4x4. My question is what transfer case do i need to get so that I can reconnect it. It has a 350 with a 400R tranny.

Thanks for any advise.

[bake74]

    This is possible, the 400 was not a bad transmission, can handle some decent power with the right rebuild.  Here is a web site for some research.      http://www.novak-adapt.com/knowledge/th400.htm

     I found this section to be interesting for your situation, check it out and read it over.     Transfer Case Adaptability.  It describes what transfer cases will fit and what years.

     I would do my research and see what year and model (4wd or 2wd) that the P.O. installed so you know where to start, this website should give you all the information to determine that.
    Good luck and keep us informed.

[DustyRusty]

Alex, we need some more details.  In the welcome section, you said it was an '85 K-10.  So your truck should originally have had an NP 208 transfer case.  What isn't clear is whether the t/c was merely removed (along w/ other components) and is currently undriveable.  If that's the case you will need to visit a j/y and do a little hunting.  Try to find a Chevy/GMC 4x4 of the same era and w/ the same type trans as yours.  You can get the 208 and all the parts at one time.  Make sure you get the adapter and stub or intermediate shaft between the trans and t/c if yours is missing.  Also get the t/c lever and linkage if necessary.  Is the x-member still there?  Driveshaft?  Might be a few more misc. parts but I think you get the picture.  Others may think of something.

Rusty

[Blazin]

Are you saying they put a 2 wheel drive transmission in it? If that is the case you will need to do one of two things.
(1) Take the trans mission out, and install a 4 wheel drive transmission.
(2) Take the transmission out, tear it completely down, remove the tail shaft housing, install a 4 wheel drive output shaft into it, then build it back up, or rebuild it since its down to the case anyway.

If you are saying that the P/O installed a 4 wheel drive trans and never put a t case back in, then you will just need to count the splines on the output shaft, pretty sure a TH400 is 32 splines. Find a NP208 from a TH 400, or and SM465 truck, and install it. If you want to upgrade an NP205 out of an older truck would be the way to go.

[alex85K10]

let me start off by saying thanks for all of the help.

The P/O took all the 4x4 transmisson parts out of the truck and installed a 2wheel drive transmission. The only thing i really have left it the shifter handle and the front axle.

I'm looking at buying a newer 4x4 transmission and TC so that I can get it back to being a working 4x4. So i wanted to see what might the best but cheapest way going about doing that. I want to do it right but at the best cost.

[Jason S]

I bought a 700R4 with t-case adapter and t-case and front driveshaft out of a Suburban for around $300.  I plan on rebuilding the transmission and going through the t-case, but all the parts are there and I don't have to try to find output shafts, adapters, etc.   

You might also look at Craigslist. Sometimes you can get a whole truck (or Suburban) with the needed parts for less than the cost of piecing together parts from different trucks.