C6/203/205 questions

[bushman]

Okay, guys. I have searched high and low, and other than SaddleUps old writeup I haven't found many folks running this combo.

Here's my plan and the input I need;
I am currently running 3.5 inches of suspension lift, 2 inches of body lift, 35 inch tires and a 351W/NP435/Dana 20 combo.

I want to install a C6 automatic, NP203 doubler and an NP205 transfer case. It appears that the rear driveshaft may be quite short with this installation, which may cause streetability issues...?

To weed out alternative suggestions or ideas, I want this combo because it's automatic, bulletproof, free and already in my possession. I do not want to stretch my wheelbase. I want to be able to drive my rig from Portland, OR to Anchorage, AK, Moab, UT or Sacramento, CA without issues.



Does anybody here run this combo? Could you share your problems or solutions to running this combo? The only real problem I see is the shortness and angle of the rear driveshaft. Is it really an issue?

I would love to hear anything you have to share, to try and make an educated decision before I pull the trigger on Bronco 2.0.

 

[Apogee]

One of my wheeling friends runs that combination in his '78 Bronco, but he also has 1-tons under it and the additional 12 inches of wheelbase (104") to play with versus an EB...plus it gets trailered now basically everywhere as he's accrued enough body damage and modfications to warrant not driving it on the road.

What is the overall length of your assembly? If angularity is an issue, as you arleady suspect it will be, would a Tru Hi-9 be an option? They're not all that cheap.

 

[bushman]

That's the real catch. I'm a cheap SOB (not all by choice!) so a Hi-9 is out. You know, I'll have to put the bits together and measure for total length.

 

[Apogee]

Are you running a 9" rear? That just makes things worse due to the low pinion height relative to basically anything else.

 

[mudstud]

C-6 20.5"
Intermediate housing 5.25" unless you have the long one
205 12"
203 5.25"
and what ever adapter you use ??" Mine was approximately 3"
That's approximately 46" with Offroad Design's doubler adapter.
Stock C-4 combo is approximately 34 5/8"

You run out of real estate fast.

 

[bronconut73]

C-6 20.5"
Intermediate housing 5.25" unless you have the long one
205 12"
203 5.25"
and what ever adapter you use ??" Mine was approximately 3"
That's approximately 46" with Offroad Design's doubler adapter.
Stock C-4 combo is approximately 34 5/8"

You run out of real estate fast.

Ouch!

Sometimes math hurts.

 

[bushman]

C-6 20.5"
Intermediate housing 5.25" unless you have the long one
205 12"
203 5.25"
and what ever adapter you use ??" Mine was approximately 3"
That's approximately 46" with Offroad Design's doubler adapter.
Stock C-4 combo is approximately 34 5/8"

You run out of real estate fast.

So you're running this combo? I'd like to know how she behaves!

 

[mudstud]

No I sold it all to br0nc0xrapt0r on this site.

 

[edones06]

I run that combo and did it with a stock wheelbase and a 3 1/2 lift. The rear shaft is very short and very steep. I rolled my pinion way up to make it work. I did not run a cv joint at the t case. But a u joint had a very short life ob the case. It runs WAY to sharp. Mine would eat joints. I would carry two ir three with me if i did much street driving. I ended up streching my wheelbase 8" just to help with shaft angles. Its a grate set up for off road. But imo i would do it with a stock wheelbase and take off on a three hour road trip. Id get tired of picking my driveshaft up. LOL

 

[edones06]

Im using a northwest fab kit tho. I dint thank its any shorter tho... Or lighter! That combo is freakin heavy!

 

[bushman]

Thanks for your input. I have to say, I pretty much figured this would be the case. I may have to shelve the swap until I start a new rig and/or get a little more money for the expensive mods to make it work. Thanks again, edones06!

 

[garberz]

I run that combo and did it with a stock wheelbase and a 3 1/2 lift. The rear shaft is very short and very steep. I rolled my pinion way up to make it work. I did not run a cv joint at the t case. But a u joint had a very short life ob the case. It runs WAY to sharp. Mine would eat joints. I would carry two ir three with me if i did much street driving. I ended up streching my wheelbase 8" just to help with shaft angles. Its a grate set up for off road. But imo i would do it with a stock wheelbase and take off on a three hour road trip. Id get tired of picking my driveshaft up. LOL

Yes, that steep angle would certainly be tough on U-joints at cruising speeds. But running a steep angle on a trail truck, with the pinion pointed towards the moon, will eventually result in pinion bearing failure. They'll just starve for oil with that kind of angle. Just another issue, even if it's low speed crawling.

Mark

 

[Prizefighter]

I was considering doing this exact swap since I already have it available, it's in my 78 Bronco. The packaging in an EB isn't that great from what I've heard and the driveshaft angles brought up earlier are making me decide against it.