205 vs 208

[DixieOffroad87]

should i change my 208 transfer case to a 205 transfer case. it has auto locking hubs, how hard would it be is it just like a bolt in thing or would i need a new front end with locking hubs?

[Kevin108]

Keep the 208, the 205 is an older model and is supposedly stronger but for your needs the 208 will do just fine.

87 Silverado 4x4 Longbed Pickup
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[83CHEVY]

Unless you are doing tractor pulls or off road competitions or driving stupid, the 208 will work great and is lighter

Mike

[ummduh]

Depends on what your looking to do. your not going to break a 205 without trying really, really hard, but you'll need to have new d-shafts made (front shorter and rear longer), not to mention you'll only have a 1.96:1 low ranger instead of the 208's ~2.4:1 low. Unless your rock crawling where your going to be bashing the case on things, the 205 isn't really needed..  But then again it's always nice to have gross over-builtness.

[Snuke87chevy]

I'd stick with the 208, it's lighter, newer, andhas a lower ratio than the 205.  As long as you're not beating the crap out of it it will hold up fine.  

[abig84]

another problem with doing that is i had a blazer with the 203 which is the same case as the 205 and another blazer with the 208, if you switch from the 208 to the 205 the driveshafts are different the rear has a driveshaft that slides in the middle not in and out of the transfercase like the 208. and the front dont have the big plate that bolts right to the case it has like half a yolk like you would have connecting the ujoint to the axle so your gonna have to shell out for some new driveshafts too  

[79GMC4x4]

Okay, Abig84, let's see a couple pics of your rig.

'79 GMC shortbed 454 th400 14 bolt FF NP205 Dana 60

[BamaBullet]

If you got to swap I would go with a 203 instead of a 205.

[73K20]

Huh?  If you were going to swap out a 208 you would go with a 203?  Why?  They are like 100lbs heavier and the 4x4 side is chain driven.  I would say that if some one had one stock then add a part-time kit and go with it, but swap it in over a 205, no way.  The 203 has one advantage over the 205 and that is a better low range, but that is only really important if you are off-roading or such.

1973 K20 - 350/350/205

[cimfth]

I agree I have a 203 with a part time kit in my 78K20. I wish I had  a 205 because the 203 is a lot bigger. Plus I have to lock my hubs in once in a while to keep the back of the case lubed. It also gets in the way if you want to run duals

[Txstruck]

I beat the living crap out of my 208 and it has held up just fine. Of course, it IS on an ex military truck and you know they beef up everything.