[Guest]

I just got a sm??? and a np205 matted together and it had a chevy 400 bell housing. It has a granny low, I looked at the orc jeep page and there was not pics of a 465 and it looks close to the 420 but i do not have the id #s on the tranny with me. How is this tranny and xcase? Is it worth ditching the dana 300 for the np205 chevy? My friend was with me when i looked at and noticed that the 205 was very tight. I also got the flywheel. I noticed jeepn has this setup, I saw that on his footer. Does anyone else have this setup is this good setup?
Is the 205 weigh that much more than a d300?
thanks guys in advance!

 

[CJDave]

/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif I have it on good authority that the 205 is THEE most bullet-proof transfer case ever built for the light truck class. The SM 465 can be identified by the huge horizontal webs on the sides of the case. The SM 465 is a good tranny.....one of the best...6.55 in low...3.58 in second....1.57 in third....1.00 in fourth. The SM420 is 7.02 in low...3.57 in second....1.70 in third...1.00 in fourth. For my 3/4 ton pickups, I prefer the SM 465 because the third gear is more useable for road work. Many off-road guys consider this setup the "ultimate" (465/205) or 420/205 we JUST bought a 1980 Chev with that combo 465/205 behind a 350 SB Chev.

CJDave
Quadra-Trac modified by the crack moonguy/wwwthreads_images/icons/wink.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif/wwwthreads_images/icons/tongue.gif transfer case team.

 

[JEEPN]

The only other transfer I have heard about that compares to the 205 is the Atlas II. I have no other knowledge of this but know they're expensive. The SM420's came in earlier Chevys, like 1966 and earlier. The SM465 started in 1967 (or 1968?) and replaced the SM420. It's a lot easier to get parts for and I have heard a little stronger, but I have no first hand knowledge of this.

Yes, the NP205 is heavier than the D300, but not by a huge amount. The real weight comes from the tranny, which is quite heavy. I can lift a separated 205 (not easily), but not an SM465, even with no oil in it. I'm no weightlifter, 5'10" and 210 lbs, but I'm no couch potato either. BTW, I lifted the whole SR-4/D300 assembly from the Jeep without any help as a comparison. The adapter mating the two is also heavy, everything being cast iron. I would not ditch the D300 for the NP205 unless you're swapping the tranny as well. And then it'd only be to save $$$. If you need another D300 I'd look for one, it'd be an easier swap, unless you're looking for that low on the tranny, your profile doesn't mention what tranny you're running.

It's a good setup, the easiest and most bulletproof I could find at the cheapest expense. It has the granny low Dave mentioned and won't wear out (the gears in it are HUGE!). I did a lot of research (like I always do) before deciding on this setup, and came across guys putting over 750 hp to them without any problems. I had to do something as my SR-4 chewed 3rd and the others were marginal at best (hold in gear and very little synchros left).

The main drawback is the lack of low gears on the NP205, which is only 2:1, not the 2.62:1 of the D300. It was this reason (and the length of the Scrambler) that I'm deciding to go with the Doubler, which mates the NP203 (strong chain driven 2:1) to the NP205 (gear driven 2:1). All I have to do is find an SM465/NP203 setup and I'm in business (1974 Chevys). But this may have to wait until the SBC 350. I'm in the process of searching for a 203 setup now. Maybe I'll do both next winter.

I noticed you're running a 360, you'd need a new bellhousing to mate the two (I think, correct me if I'm wrong). BTW, the SM465/NP205 setup was 3.5" longer than the original SR-4/D300 combo. You can see how much larger it is in the pic. I added a 2" body lift to get it to clear (1" would do) and had to cut out the center well for the transfer case shifters.

Do yourself a favor before buying it. Sand down and clean up the adapter between the tranny and transfer and look for cracks. The adapter is where the combo is supported and having the weight on both sides tends to crack the case, but it's usually just a hairline fracture, and only over the top. New adapters are $220, but I found a used one in CT for $95 (with spare shifter, hence twinstick!). All the ones I found in junkyards up here were cracked or broken, which is probably why they were there.

Good luck!

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7" Lift/33" TSL's/REP 8000/RS9000's/IHC Scout II D44's 4.10's F&R W/Lockrights

 

[Guest]

I got a sm465 in my old utility wagon. Great tranny never gave me any trouble. It's noisy though. This never bothered me as I like the sound of gear whine and big knobby tires/wwwthreads_images/icons/smile.gif. But be sure you aren't going to be offended by it before you comit to a swap. SM 420s and 465s look simular but the 420s all had an output yoke and used divorced cases while the 465s could be had with married or divorced cases. Also the 465 is bigger and stronger, although the 420s plenty strong and heavy, Overall case length is 12" on the 465 and 10.5" for the 420. Best of luck on your project
Travis

Inquire about my witty original saying contest/wwwthreads_images/icons/crazy.gif

 

[Guest]

Jeepn
I have two jeeps. I was planning on using my 84 not 83 with the 360. I am sorry i did not mention that. Another thing I already bought the sm465/205 for 100 bucks with a bell housing and flywheel. I figure i could not loose for the price I paid for it? The adapter between the two looked fine. But i did not look at it that close. I am going to KNow. Right now the jeep has a 258/t4/300. Is the t4 any stronger than the sr4? I know the t4 is light duty anyways. I figured i would end up with a nice built rig.
thanks
Andy

 

[JEEPN]

For $100 you got an AWESOME deal. I paid $250 for mine. If you check around, you'll find prices from $500 in junkyards that don't know what they have to $1,500 at tranny houses for the same setup.

The T-4 isn't as bad, but it's still a light duty tranny worthy of replacement. It's fine for stock applications, but won't handle much power (or so I've heard). I have heard the SR-4 is the worst one of them all. If you want to save some space, the 4.3 Chevy is a nice swap, same bolt pattern. I plan on doing the 350 route to turn 38's later. Keep in mind then you put the rear driveshaft on it has a larger U-joint on the rear yoke, so you'll need a cross joint. No problem, just don't have a shaft made with the wrong joint. You'll also have to move the skidplate back some to accomodate the adapter and length. I used the stock skidplate but welded andgle iron to the skid plate so it went up the framerail inside. Then I drilled and bolted through the frame for extra supports. This was in addition to the existing 4 bolts on each side that hold the plate up. If you need a little more info, let me know. Good luck!



JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7"Lift/33"TSL's/IHC D44's 4.10's Lock'd

 

[Guest]

Thanks jeepn for the input I am sure i will be needing more info!
If I was going to be running a twin stick similar to what you are using can i use another stick from a ford np205? cause if it is the same i can get my hands on the stick. Also you have a 2 inch body lift and said 1 inch is fine would the 2 inch make easier shifts or is the one inch enough?
thanks
Andy

 

[JEEPN]

I am unfamiliar with the Ford version of the 205. I assume it's the same thing only the output is on the passengers side. If you took a shifter off and turned it around it should work. Does it bolt on like the Chevy 205 shifters? I lined both shifters side by side and ran a longer both through both. Then I made linkage from each shifter to it's respective shifting mechanism, using similar pins and bolts so I can take them apart again.

Due to the body mounts being shot and needing to replace the rear bed, I pulled the tub. I found it much easier to work on it from the top than the bottom. I helped my older brother put in his T-18/D300 combo from the bottom, which was a PITA, and this is heavier.

The 2" body lift does make the shifting a little easier, but only because my shifter is close to the dash. You could do a 1" and have it work, the twin sticks don't need the lift, only the body cut away some so they'll clear. The center hump is also quite large, but this was covered with a shifter boot anyway. Is your main shifter straight or curved like mine? If it's straight you might have to bend it to avoid contacting with the dash. Mine is not the original, the original shifter broke and needed to be replaced. I don't know what this one fits. The owner of the tranny before me had it in a 2.5-ton dump truck and apparently wasn't very nice on equipment. The tag on it identifies it as a '72, but according to my lists, Chevy only made 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks in '72.

Let me know if those Ford shifters will work, it'd be nice to keep them in mind.

I also wanted to go 2" to clear larger tires later.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7"Lift/33"TSL's/IHC D44's 4.10's Lock'd

 

[Guest]

Jeepn
A couple of things here. I am glad that you mention that it was a lot easier to do from the top because i am doing a tub swap (yj tub) so it will be done at once but the sthing that stinks is that it is going to talk alot longer down time at once but it will be worth it when i am done! I will let you know if the 205 ford stick is the same.
My shifter is bent simialar to yours, it is chrome and definatly looks aftermarket, i was going to put it back to stock but you made a reel good point , and also i see what you mean in the picture.
How are you planning on running 38s under the scrambler? what are u doing for a lift? I was planning on going sua and run 36 (not hard to do) but i realing that it might be best to use the soa cause the tranny is sliping and also the only thing that i would be taking out that was good is the 360 and d300 vs taking out of my 84 good 258/t4/d300. plus not only that it already has alot of good stuff that i would be nickeled and dimed on, already daul exhaust (small modification to mate a 350 exhaust) a gastank that is narrow for the tail pipes to come out the rear, and the fact that i could run any size tire under the sun (it had 40s) but it is soa and i am affraid that i will not be able to get a sticker with the new laws even though i am talking some lifr out of it! descions descions!!
thanks
Andy

 

[JEEPN]

SOA's are illegal, so I have to stay SUA. I have a 4" Superlift, 1" shackle (more or less), and 2" body. To fit the 38's I'm figuring I'll have to trim the fenders as well. I have the hydraulic clutch from the 151, but fabbing a mount wasn't that hard. I also had to fab a new flywheel cover, but sheet aluminum is easy to work with. The tranny was easy to swap, it's surprising how long the body took to work on vs the tranny. While I was at it, I swapped in the Scout II axles with u-bolt inversions, so I really had a lot of down time. Oh well, such is the life of the jeep fanatic.

JEEPN
'81 CJ-8 Scrambled!
GM151/SM465/NP205 twinstick/7"Lift/33"TSL's/IHC D44's 4.10's Lock'd