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I am in the final stages of fabricating two brackets to hang my divorced NP205 transfer case. I've been wondering if anyone has had any difficulties with a similar setup.
My concern is the bushings and brackets hold up over time. My bushings are from Steel Rubber Products. They are not polyurethane. The brackets are A36 1/2" X 6".
Is this even something I should be worried about?
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Due to the fact that I have neither the tools nor the ability to do this on my own, I am going to have to get this done at a local shop. What you have there certainly looks well-made though. I dig the color you went with on your truck too. Not to derail your post or anything, but if you dont mind saying, where did your score your np205?
Nice looking brackets. They should hold up fine.
I found it on Craigslist a couple of years ago and paid $300 for it. I spent another $300 or so on the JB Custom Fabrication shift rails and rebuild kit. Internally, the transfer case was in pretty good shape. I'll be dropping a few more dollars soon for new yokes.
Thank you. I'm fabricating the brackets as part of an assignment for a fabrication class I'm taking at the local technical college. I retired last August and decided to go pursue a welding and fabrication degree with my youngest son.
I see them every so often on FB marketplace, but to be honest, I'm not confident I'd be able to spot any bs from the sale or not. From reading on here, I believe i should be hunting for anything GM with a passenger side drop. But, other than that, I could easily buy the wrong thing not truly knowing what im looking at.Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
I work with a guy that just got done taking a welding course at the local votech here as well. He said it was great and helped him with his project race kart. We're both USAF retirees and more and more talk about ditching contract work altogether and doing more fun toy things like this stuff.Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
I see quite a few SM465/NP205 combos on FB Market Place and Craigslist. Divorced cases are another story - I got lucky plain and simple.
Related...I found my SM465 on Craigslist and paid $200 for it. When I bought it, it had a beat up looking shifting rod and from all appearances was in questionable condition. Surprisingly, I got it home, tore it down, and discovered the gears and synchros to be in excellent condition as it had been rebuilt at some point. I replaced the gaskets, bearings, and bought a new shift rod and it's ready to go.
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A few things.... 1.... wow, your shop is very impressive! 2.... I feel like im getting into this game way late. All the good deals seem to be a thing of the past.Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
3..... For your brackets.... im curious. Did you take your t case to class and fab it that way? Or just took exact measurements and got it done that way?
Thank you for the compliment on my workshop. Believe me, it's nothing special other than I have a hidden sit-down toilet (next nearest one is 600 feet away).
I just picked up the transfer case in 2022 and transmission in 2023. The deals are still out there. I've found you just need to be on the lookout. Last summer I was also able to score a never used, still in the crate (NOS) kingpin Dana 60 for $250.
I created my new brackets using the original brackets from the NP200 as a guide. After clamping the transfer case frame assembly to my welding table, I plopped the NP205 onto the table and starting moving everything into place. From there, I prepared blueprints, ordered some plate A36, and started bending and drilling. I think the biggest plus is having access to an ironworker to bend the plate.
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I did something similar and it is has held up well. I think I used 5/16 plate, but I'm not wheeling or anything and really not planning on it. I just couldn't get my NP200 to stop leaking out the parking brake seal, hence no real working parking brake. I drive mine on the highway a lot and figured I was overheating the 200 so I replaced it with the 205.
All the pictures look great. I don't think there will be any issues with what is getting built at all. I too had to hang my 205. And I will be watching it over time. If I ever have to remake it, I will make the whole upper bracket one piece. Bdubya, Along with GM 205's, Dodge also had divorced cases as well as International. I used an International 205 with big 32 spline output shafts. So that should open up the possibilities. And some people think these are worth stupid money. If pictures in the ad show it sitting outside, be wary of water in the case. Mine had a gear that was not usable. I spent a fortune getting mine up to excellent condition. Because I have a hard time with just good enough. Same with my T98 I drove 16 total hours to go get. It had a bad second gear and it was from water and rust. Ebay had all the parts I needed.
The pics are exceptional! This really helps me understand what Im looking at quite a bit more. Thanks Mike!Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
That does help, thanks. The prices for these t-cases are all over the stratosphere. I see $250 to 1800 for these. Married, divorced, Ford, GM, passenger drop..... It goes on and on. Some look beat to all get out and some just dont look right at all but are listed as NP205. LoL, some of them are so caked in mud and rust you can barely tell its just a t-case.Quote:
Originally Posted by Kaiserjeeps
Some more fantastic pics! Yall score some pristine looking 205s, or maybe yall are rebuilding them and cleaning them up real well. Either way, yalls installs look really nice.Quote:
Originally Posted by eightydeuce
Thanks for sharing some photos eightydeuce. Our setups are very similar. I'm upgrading to the NP205 for similar reasons; however, I am doing so more for preventative reasons.
I'm finished with the low-side bracket and have some minor tweaking for the high-side bracket. One thing I must do for the two high-side bolt holes is enlarge them from 7/16" to 5/8". The smaller size isn't gonna cut it, so I ordered a tap, 17/32s drill bit, and new PTO cover gasket.
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Mike, that looks awesome! I apologize if this sounds stupid but, just to clarify, you bent and welded up that black bracket? The drawings and specs you used for that, would you be willing to share those figures?Quote:
Originally Posted by MightyMike
Yes, I made the bracket. I need to make a couple of adjustments to my design, then I will post the drawing. This may take me a couple of weeks as I am going into finals at school.