Np203 to Np205 swap and Axle swap

[78chevyJJ]

I have a 78 gmc regular cab short bed 350/350/203

but that 203 went out before i bought the truck,

just dropped out the transfer case today (that thing is heavy)

I was thinkning it is perfect time to do what i want to do,
put in a NP205 and new front axle

i know i need to swap something out to change my spline cause i believe mine is 27 , what else is needed to do this swap???

also i want to put in a new front axle cause i don't want to do a hub conversion when i can get a better axle for about the same price or maybe even cheaper

so i was thinking about getting a dana 44 with manual hubs, i have a gm 10 bolt in right now with auto locking hubs


any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated

[78chevyJJ]

Anyone got anything for me?

[outalne94z71]

(07-09-2010 09:16 PM)78chevyJJ Wrote:  I have a 78 gmc regular cab short bed 350/350/203

but that 203 went out before i bought the truck,

just dropped out the transfer case today (that thing is heavy)

I was thinkning it is perfect time to do what i want to do,
put in a NP205 and new front axle

i know i need to swap something out to change my spline cause i believe mine is 27 , what else is needed to do this swap???

also i want to put in a new front axle cause i don't want to do a hub conversion when i can get a better axle for about the same price or maybe even cheaper

so i was thinking about getting a dana 44 with manual hubs, i have a gm 10 bolt in right now with auto locking hubs


any suggestions or tips would be greatly appreciated

get a 205 with adapter from a th350 and that would swap right on, the rear drive shaft may need to be lengthened

a dana 44 would be no stronger than your 10 bolt, don't bother with a swap, the hubs should just have drive pucks in your axle now, its super easy to pop in normal lockouts.

even a big hub dana 44 used in the pre 77 1 tons and the 3/4 tons is no stronger than your 10 bolt , the only advantage those have is bigger bearings in the hubs but still have the same weak shafts and ball joints as the 1/2 ton alxe

[78chevyJJ]

i found out that i have a dana 44,

i herd that the front drive shaft would need to be shortened too??

for the hub swap i heard i can just go get the outers from a junk yard then just buy new hubs??

[outalne94z71]

(07-23-2010 03:11 PM)78chevyJJ Wrote:  i found out that i have a dana 44,

i herd that the front drive shaft would need to be shortened too??

for the hub swap i heard i can just go get the outers from a junk yard then just buy new hubs??

78 was a crossover year do they could be found with either axle

the lockouts do not need a hub or outer parts change, they just clip in to replace the auto lockouts/drive flanges you have now