NP205 Transfer Case Shift Pattern
 

I just finished installing my shifter after disassembly, cleaning, and lubing with lithium grease. Much to my suprise, I now have a total of five (5) positions, instead of, the previous four (4) positions. I thought everything was working properly before as I had 4Lo, Neutral, 2Hi, and 4Hi, however, I must have been mistaken.

Is this a factory shifter for a 1972 K20 truck?

The pattern I now have is as follows from front to rear:

4 Lo
2 Lo
Neutral
2 Hi
4 Hi

Anyone else have the above shift pattern?

Never seen one w/ 5, mine has all of the above except 2wd high ;)

*Actually I didn't look at it, I'm just going by memory, so I could b wrong :lol:

I believe that the transfercase is just not engaged all of the way into low range. Some Jeep transfercases do this and it can realy cause you trouble if you get on it with only partial engagement!!! Y ou are doubling the torque to your rear drive line and axle, with a healthy v-8 you stand a good chance to break something. I had a 76 truck with auto tranny and it had the 203 transfercase and it would do exactly as you describe. Just engage farther and everything willm be functioning as it should.

I've never seen one with the 2wd low, but there are times I wished I had one with a hi geared truck, no granny 4 spd. Sounds like you're only engaging it part way. Does your shift knob show 2L? I'd be worried about a sudden 4wd engagement when your under torque..that might do some damage.

What he said!

You can 2 low out of a NP 205, but that's with a twin stick conversion...


Chuck

The 4 Gm 4X4's I have had various years. The N/P 203 had
2Lo
4Lo
N
2Hi
4Hi
The N/P205 had
4LO
N
2Hi
4Hi

Yeah, no case stock has a 2Lo. I bet your in between gears with the front output disengaged, but the range in low. Probably not good on your case to run like that.

You can get 2Lo with a twin stick setup on a 205. Kinda cool because you can also select which axle you want driving in 2wd.

Only way a NP 203 can have 2 low and 2 hi is with a part time conversion. The NP 203 is a full time 4x4 case. The shift pattern for a NP 203 is
4 lo lock
4 lo
N
4 hi
4 high lock...


Chuck

The 203 shift pattern is:

Low Loc
Low
Neutral
High
High Loc

It is always in 4wd because it is a full time case. If you have it converted to part time it becomes:

4 Low
2 Low
Neutral
2 High
4 High

More info here: http://www.gmtrucks.org/wiki/faq/transfer_case

More specific details on my transfer case shift pattern.....There are two (2) levers on the transfer case itself. The outer lever has three (3) positions and controls ratios with rear pos. = Lo, center pos. = Neutral, and forward pos. = Hi. The inner lever has only two (2) positions and when move forward engages the front driveshaft (4WD).

All five (5) positions are distinct and positive. I am sure there is not any partial engagement of gears, etc. The operation of the shifter is as follows:

Full forward = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever forward (4WD).
Position 2 = outer lever back (Lo), inner lever back (2WD).
Position 3 = outer lever center (neut), inner lever back (2WD).
Position 4 = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever back (2WD).
Full Back = outer lever forward (Hi), inner lever forward (4WD).

The operation of the transfer case levers is function of the shift lever. I may try to get some pics. tomorrow since my cab is removed and everything is easy to see. Hopefully, someone can identify what type of shifter I have.

Sounds like a twin stick conversion for a NP 205...


Chuck

Found a picture of my exact transfer case and shifter on Evil Bay. It is mated to a TH400, however, everything from transmission back is identical to my set-up.

Maybe this is an NP203. Ad says it is out of a 1977 Chevy Blazer.

That case in the pic is a NP 203...


Chuck

:agree: :phat:

Thanks for all the feedback.

The popular opinion says that I have an NP203 converted to part-time.

I included some pics of my set-up.

That is 100% a NP 203...


Chuck

I'll second that..its a 203.