WeGotMud

Projects & Parts => Garage/Tech => Topic started by: michigan maniac on April 08, 2012, 07:00:34 PM

Title: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 08, 2012, 07:00:34 PM
I'm debating on what tcase to put in my bogger, I have a 205 with 1.96:1 gear ratio in low or 208 with 2.6:1 low,  the 205 is obviously gear to gear and stronger, but I've read the 208 is pretty deccent itself, any thoughts? What do you guys run?
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: the harvester on April 08, 2012, 08:29:15 PM
ive run both in my truck and currently run the 208  never broke a 205 but got rid of it to cut a lil weight and love the gearing in it compared to the 205
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Blazin40s on April 08, 2012, 08:57:13 PM
I'm runnin a 208, there tough, but very important that the linkage is adjusted correctly, or they won't live very long.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 08, 2012, 08:58:32 PM
Yeah I've always ran a 205, and never had any problems, but the gearing suck, and they are heavy, I'm deff considering the 208 to shave weight and get better gear ratio
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: ramseyd86 on April 09, 2012, 02:09:30 AM
Ive got over 550hp bbc pushing 44 boggers with a th400 and a 208 in my one truck. I run this truck real, real hard, n i have not broke it yet in 3 years. The key is a new good chain every few years. Dont let the chain strech to much. Having the support rod from the side up to the bell housing, i believe is life or death on 208. I like my 208 set up
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 09, 2012, 02:29:57 AM
love my 208 just swaped a 205 for a 208 and wont go back..
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: marshall on April 09, 2012, 02:37:08 AM
i hate 205's. mine have all had bad attitudes. i say 208
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: homewrecker john on April 09, 2012, 02:38:47 AM
im running 400/208 with cut 44'' bogs and rocks.......ill let you know it works out soon!
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 09, 2012, 03:58:57 AM
Awesome input!!!  Looks like I may not sell my 208 after all!!
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Jthomas on April 09, 2012, 01:13:39 PM
I just traded my 208 for a 205. But I really like the twin stick option. It's just a toss up.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: the harvester on April 09, 2012, 01:26:49 PM
Quote from: Jthomas on April 09, 2012, 01:13:39 PM
I just traded my 208 for a 205. But I really like the twin stick option. It's just a toss up.
its really not a toss up at all once you run a 208 compared to a 205 you prob wont go back. and on a side note i agree that the brace is a must
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: RIP_K52007 on April 09, 2012, 01:55:51 PM
np231 is where its at :P  lol Ive never had trouble with 208's never ran 205.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: 7387chevynut on April 09, 2012, 02:15:10 PM
I guess it depends...........if your running a manual trans with a granny gear..........then keep the 205........because the granny gear will compensate for the 205's weak low range.

The 208 has always been my choice,  but dont forget the NP241 that GM used in straight axle k5 blazers and suburbans from 1989-1991..........those have a 2.72 low range, just a tad lower than the Np208. And they were used behind 4spd manuals and 400 turbos(rare to find one though)   and more commonly behind the 700R4

The weak points on a 208 are its 2 piece aluminum housing...............and if the TORQUE BAR........(like others have  said on here)........is missing......it can cause the case to flex/twist when under a load in 4wd.   That torque bar keeps the case from doing that. ...........one thing to keep in mind though........is that for a vehicle that see's only light off road use........then you could probably get away without needing it..........but if its still attached, theres no need to remove it.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 09, 2012, 02:28:42 PM
After doing more research looks like I will have to swap the tailshaft out on my th350, to a longer one to run the 208,  and just had the trans rebuilt so looks like I'm just gonna run the 205 for now, and maybe do a 203 doubler later  if I don't like the gear ratio
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: RIP_K52007 on April 09, 2012, 03:37:27 PM
203 is ALOT of extra weight. Keep that in mind also.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: 7387chevynut on April 09, 2012, 03:55:28 PM
Quote from: lilred on April 09, 2012, 03:37:27 PM
203 is ALOT of extra weight. Keep that in mind also.


For the doubler setup you only use the range box off the front of the Np203.......so it does add some extra weight.......but you also will be getting a  2.01 plus 1.96 low range combined
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 09, 2012, 04:15:07 PM
Yeah its not much more weight to add just the front gearbox, I already have everything to do the doubler except the $700 adapter kit lol
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: RIP_K52007 on April 09, 2012, 04:17:37 PM
you could probably get the tailshaft swapped for half that much ==roll but you do get lower gear I guess... ==dunno
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: homewrecker john on April 10, 2012, 01:34:13 AM
or have mudbuster make you his special adaptor....then you will be able to run the 208 with out shaft change.....
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 10, 2012, 01:37:31 AM
Quote from: homewrecker john on April 10, 2012, 01:34:13 AM
or have mudbuster make you his special adaptor....then you will be able to run the 208 with out shaft change.....

x2 just did that on my truck!
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 10, 2012, 02:19:31 AM
Quote from: homewrecker john on April 10, 2012, 01:34:13 AM
or have mudbuster make you his special adaptor....then you will be able to run the 208 with out shaft change.....

Thanks was also told I could redrill the stock 203 adapter to make it work
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: 7387chevynut on April 10, 2012, 02:40:33 AM
Quote from: michigan maniac on April 10, 2012, 02:19:31 AM
Quote from: homewrecker john on April 10, 2012, 01:34:13 AM
or have mudbuster make you his special adaptor....then you will be able to run the 208 with out shaft change.....

Thanks was also told I could redrill the stock 203 adapter to make it work


Thats what JOHN was refering to.   There is alittle bit of welding involved.............but its alot easier than tearing into your trans.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Jjay78 on April 11, 2012, 02:44:06 AM
curious about what yall r talkin about.....details???
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 11, 2012, 03:47:43 AM
Quote from: Jjay78 on April 11, 2012, 02:44:06 AM
curious about what yall r talkin about.....details???

I have a turbo 350 trans that is designed to run either 203 or 205 27 spline transfer case, it is a short style rear output shaft, I have it setup right now to.run the 205 which is gear to gear case, with 1.96:1 low range,  I have a spare 208 aluminum chain drive case with a 2.6:1 low range that I was debating on running, but it requires a long style trans output shaft, in order to make it work with my trans I would have to tear the trans down and change rear output shafts, OR like stated above build a custom adapter that will allow me to use my short style trans output with the 208 case so I don't have to tear the trans apart...  Hope that makes sense lol

The reason I want the 208 is for the lower gear ratio
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: homewrecker john on April 11, 2012, 11:27:14 AM
Quote from: Jjay78 on April 11, 2012, 02:44:06 AM
curious about what yall r talkin about.....details???

The 203 adaptor can be modified for the 208 to work on a tranny that was orignally for a 203 with no shaft change.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 11, 2012, 06:15:28 PM
mudbuster on here makes them pm him. he uses a 203 adaptor and makes a 208 work with it some drilling some welding then your put it in and go, just did it on my truck took the 205 off and swaped a 208 on...
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Jthomas on April 11, 2012, 07:00:56 PM
Quote from: michigan maniac on April 09, 2012, 04:15:07 PM
Yeah its not much more weight to add just the front gearbox, I already have everything to do the doubler except the $700 adapter kit lol

i got the 350 to 205 adapter. but i dont know what the tail shaft housing bolt battern is.
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 12, 2012, 02:57:14 AM
Quote from: betterbeaters on April 11, 2012, 06:15:28 PM
mudbuster on here makes them pm him. he uses a 203 adaptor and makes a 208 work with it some drilling some welding then your put it in and go, just did it on my truck took the 205 off and swaped a 208 on...

Yeah I sent him a pm, just gotta debate on getting it done, I just bought new $80 yoke for the 205, and if I keep.the 205 ill be able to hopefully reuse my current rear drive shaft,
Either way the front has to be made, so its a toss up
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 12, 2012, 03:01:07 AM
Quote from: Jthomas on April 11, 2012, 07:00:56 PM
Quote from: michigan maniac on April 09, 2012, 04:15:07 PM
Yeah its not much more weight to add just the front gearbox, I already have everything to do the doubler except the $700 adapter kit lol

i got the 350 to 205 adapter. but i dont know what the tail shaft housing bolt battern is.


I've already got the 205 and 203 adapter, thanks though!!
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Blazin40s on April 12, 2012, 06:09:51 PM
Can't you regear the 205?  Heard that somewhere
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 12, 2012, 07:08:39 PM
Quote from: Blazin40s on April 12, 2012, 06:09:51 PM
Can't you regear the 205?  Heard that somewhere


yep get a lowmax 3:1
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Blazin40s on April 12, 2012, 09:25:31 PM
^ there ya go....problem solved....what do those gears run alex?
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 13, 2012, 03:08:15 AM
You can't regear a stock 205, the case won't allow any bigger gears to be Installed, the lowmax setup comes with a new custom case, and gears then gotta swap the rest, can't event find them anymore through jbconversions, and from what.I could tell they are about 2 grand if you can.find them,
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 13, 2012, 01:32:20 PM
you can fit them in a stock case just had to grind everything down inside to clear. and yes they are about $2000+
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Blazin40s on April 13, 2012, 01:53:29 PM
Ouch.....get an atlas loll
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 13, 2012, 02:09:35 PM
The 208 is 2.6:1, the lowmax is 3:1, not too much of a difference for over 2 grand.... I think ill save some money and run a 208!!! Lol
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: betterbeaters on April 13, 2012, 04:11:38 PM
Quote from: michigan maniac on April 13, 2012, 02:09:35 PM
The 208 is 2.6:1, the lowmax is 3:1, not too much of a difference for over 2 grand.... I think ill save some money and run a 208!!! Lol

lol yep way cheaper and easyer!   
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: Jjay78 on April 14, 2012, 02:25:07 AM
Quote from: homewrecker john on April 11, 2012, 11:27:14 AM
Quote from: Jjay78 on April 11, 2012, 02:44:06 AM
curious about what yall r talkin about.....details???

The 203 adaptor can be modified for the 208 to work on a tranny that was orignally for a 203 with no shaft change.

how??!!!?????
Title: Re: 208 or 205?
Post by: michigan maniac on April 14, 2012, 02:49:12 AM
Quote from: Jjay78 on April 14, 2012, 02:25:07 AM
Quote from: homewrecker john on April 11, 2012, 11:27:14 AM
Quote from: Jjay78 on April 11, 2012, 02:44:06 AM
curious about what yall r talkin about.....details???

The 203 adaptor can be modified for the 208 to work on a tranny that was orignally for a 203 with no shaft change.

how??!!!?????

By re-drilling and welding the adapter to fit the 208,