208 or 205?

[michigan maniac]

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?

[the harvester]

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

[Blazin40s]

I'm runnin a 208, there tough, but very important that the linkage is adjusted correctly, or they won't live very long.

[michigan maniac]

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

[ramseyd86]

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

[betterbeaters]

love my 208 just swaped a 205 for a 208 and wont go back..

[marshall]

i hate 205's. mine have all had bad attitudes. i say 208

[homewrecker john]

im running 400/208 with cut 44'' bogs and rocks.......ill let you know it works out soon!

[michigan maniac]

Awesome input!!!  Looks like I may not sell my 208 after all!!

[Jthomas]

I just traded my 208 for a 205. But I really like the twin stick option. It's just a toss up.

[the harvester]

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

[RIP_K52007]

np231 is where its at   lol Ive never had trouble with 208's never ran 205.

[7387chevynut]

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.

[michigan maniac]

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

[RIP_K52007]

203 is ALOT of extra weight. Keep that in mind also.

[7387chevynut]

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

[michigan maniac]

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

[RIP_K52007]

you could probably get the tailshaft swapped for half that much but you do get lower gear I guess...

[homewrecker john]

or have mudbuster make you his special adaptor....then you will be able to run the 208 with out shaft change.....

[betterbeaters]

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!