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Old 03-13-2023, 08:34 AM   #9
K10-Kansas
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Join Date: Nov 2022
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 468
Re: NP203 transfer case 101

Quote:
Originally Posted by Getter-Done View Post
Here is a good place to get parts and info on transfer cases.

I used an 90 degree (NPT) elbow to raise the oil level.

Link: https://torqueking.com/category/1973...transfer-case/


The 1979 Oil Crisis had one good benefit in that it ended the use of the inefficient, gas guzzling NP203 transfer case by all vehicle manufacturers. To increase the fuel economy of their 4x4s, many owners of vehicles equipped with the NP203 installed "Part Time Conversion Kits" in the transfer case and locking hubs in the front axle. These conversion kits basically eliminated the inter-axle differential. With a Part Time Kit installed and the lockouts in free, fuel economy did go up, however lubrication problems related to the conversion destroyed many converted transfer cases. Since the NP203 does not have an oil pump, it relies on the rotating chain to splash oil on the upper shaft components. When operating a converted NP203 in 4x2 mode with the hubs in Free, the chain does not rotate which leads to oil starvation and failure of the upper shaft components (Raising the oil level in modified NP203 Transfer Cases helped, but did not solve the lubrication issue) Relatively few vehicles equipped with the NP203 remained in service beyond the mid 1980's.
Is there a better transfer case today that K10 owners go to when their np203 t-case fails?
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1971 C10 manual cab. 76 4x4 chassis. Cut short frame. Carbureted Blueprint 350 and 700r4. ~ James
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