Twin Stick Shift pattern question NP205

[ribbits]

Hello all,
My 69 has a NP205 according to the build sheet. It also has twin shifter that was not marked with the shift pattern when i bought it. Haven't had it long enough to do much trail riding with it and I also don't really have anyone who can watch the front axle while I play around with to tell me what its doing.. Every time I think I have it figured out it throws me a curve ball? All the shift patterns I've seen on the web don't appear to apply to mine? Seems like on mine each stick has three positions. Also seems like with both sticks all the way back it is 4 wheel low, with both sticks all the way forward it is 4 wheel high and with the right stick all the way forward and the left stick in the middle position it seems to be in 2 wheel high. I do know that if you put the right stick in the full forward position, and the left stick in the full rear position it acts like something is trying to "bind up" if you try to move it like that? Seems like all the shifting patterns Ive seen on the web show that high range in full back and low range is full forward 205 or 203.. Other's who know more than I have said it looks like a NP205? I just want to get it figured out so I can apply a diagram on the damn thing!
Thanks for any help you can provide..

 

[langester]

Is it a cable shifter? I have seen some of those that the shift pattern is backwards from the lever style. Check out JB fab site and look at their cable shifters. Hope it helps, Good luck!

 

[ribbits]

Is it a cable shifter? I have seen some of those that the shift pattern is backwards from the lever style. Check out JB fab site and look at their cable shifters. Hope it helps, Good luck!

No.. Not a cable shifter? Direct linkage..

 

[DirtDonk]

...My 69 has a NP205 according to the build sheet.

What build sheet? From Ford? If so, then it's being read incorrectly because there was never anything but a Dana 20 transfer case under Early Broncos.
And I'm pretty sure the 205 didn't even exist in '69 anyway (on Fords anyway).

Guessing this build sheet is someone else's writeup of what's been done to the rig in the past?

Good luck.

Paul

 

[ribbits]

What build sheet? From Ford? If so, then it's being read incorrectly because there was never anything but a Dana 20 transfer case under Early Broncos.
And I'm pretty sure the 205 didn't even exist in '69 anyway (on Fords anyway).

Guessing this build sheet is someone else's writeup of what's been done to the rig in the past?

Good luck.

Paul

Paul, thanks fir your reply and you're exactly right. The build sheet is the modifications by the PO which are many? Someone at Townsend recommended I jack it up all around and just play with it and see.. Problem is I'm no a spring chick and have trouble getting in and out.. It's quite possible there has been some internal modifications to the transfer case so who knows? I'm just worried about getting the sticks in a position that might break something ?? I've played around with it in the pasture by watching the marks it leaves on the ground and pretty sure of what I've been able to determine so far which is completely different from anything Ive seen posted anywhere? This thing was built for Rock crawling so maybe I should poke around on some of those sites? The mystery continues?? You can bet my 75 will remain stock!

 

[JB Fab]

Driver's side =Front
L
N
H


Passenger's side =Rear
L
N
H

 

[gavindg]

Wild Horses has a cheap sticker that can help or else replace the shifter knobs with one that show it as well.
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/product/Twin-Stick-Dash-Sticker/Bronco_Dana_20_Shifters

 

[JB Fab]

https://jb-custom-fabrication.mysho...m-twin-stick-shifter-knobs-black-laser-etched


https://jb-custom-fabrication.mysho...ucts/billet-aluminum-twin-stick-shifter-knobs

 

[Crush]

Hey Ribbits - I was one of the three guys at steak and trout that tried to help. Wish we could have seen it on the ground instead of the trailer, then we might have had some luck. wish you the best of luck. maybe put it up on jackstands and start it. lock in the front hubs and engage both sticks by pulling back. all 4 should spin(or one on each end) either fast or slow. then hit the brakes to stop wheel spin and move one of the sticks one notch towards the front then let it run again. whichever axel is still spinning is the shifter still pulled back. the rest should be easy to figure out from there

 

[ribbits]

Driver's side =Front
L
N
H


Passenger's side =Rear
L
N
H

Hello JB, Thanks for the response.. That pattern is what Ive found in most places.. Problem is that I'm almost certain that with both levers all the way back it is in 4 wheel low because it's obviously in low range (will pull off idling in 3rd gear) and leaves 4 distinct "scratch off marks" (lockers) on the ground when pop the clutch?? With both levers full forward it will leave the same 4 marks on the ground except only when in first gear (high range). It will not pull off idling except in first gear in this position. Also, with the right lever full forward, and the left lever in what appears to be the middle position, and the front hubs locked, it will spin the rear tires only and is in high range? But if you move the left lever all the way back with the right still full forward something tries to bind up in the transfer case as it acts like I applied the brakes but makes no noise? I read somewhere that the 205 (in the factory configuration) will not allow for front wheel drive only unless internally modified.. I wonder what the shift pattern might be then? The PO was a "rock head" and could have done this?
This is the sketch I keep coming up with the 0 being the stick position.

L R
x 0
0 x = 2WD rear, high range
x x

0 0
x x = 4WD high range
x x

x x
x x = 4WD low range
0 0

x 0
x x = The position it wants to bind up in?
0 x

Hope this makes any sense??

 

[ribbits]

Hey Ribbits - I was one of the three guys at steak and trout that tried to help. Wish we could have seen it on the ground instead of the trailer, then we might have had some luck. wish you the best of luck. maybe put it up on jackstands and start it. lock in the front hubs and engage both sticks by pulling back. all 4 should spin(or one on each end) either fast or slow. then hit the brakes to stop wheel spin and move one of the sticks one notch towards the front then let it run again. whichever axel is still spinning is the shifter still pulled back. the rest should be easy to figure out from there

Hey yea!! Was that not a good steak or what!!! The Trail Head is always on our "to do" list when in the neighborhood.. Thank you guys very much for taking a look for me.. Looks like I'm gonna have to do just what you said and come up with some custom knobs?? I may have to wait a while though as I'm not long out of back surgery and prolly not up to it right now?? I need to finish up my shop and get my freaking car lift installed.. Funny how you buy and collect things all you're life and save them up until you retire so and can do the things you want to then "bam" the ole back out! If it wasn't for my collection of wheeled stools I couldn't get crap done!! I've prolly got no business with this rig but you know what they say about old guys and that 2nd childhood thingy?? ...lol
Thanks again!

 

[JB Fab]

Ok.....
Two things going on, the PO has removed the interlock pills allowing the cross shifting option (some folks want that as a option). something about the shift linkage is reversing the pattern (typically seen on cable shifters, or shifter assemblies that use a bell-crank type linkage). I have not personally seen a bell-crank linkage used on an NP-205, so I am curious as to what you have. We do have knobs for the reverse pattern you have, but I would be happy to look at any pictures you want to email me of the shifter/linkage?

Jon

 

[SevenT]

Twin Stick Pattern

Ribbits,

Your fourth pattern has the rear in high and the front in low and that will bind the drivetrain. Try not to do that and attempt to drive, you will either blow the U-joint on the driveshaft or the stub shafts.

v/r,

SevenT

 

[gavindg]

Ribbits,

Your fourth pattern has the rear in high and the front in low and that will bind the drivetrain. Try not to do that and attempt to drive, you will either blow the U-joint on the driveshaft or the stub shafts.

v/r,

SevenT

That was my thoughts but i do not crawl, so i was not sure if the drivetrain could handle that pattern with twin sticks

 

[ribbits]

Ribbits,

Your fourth pattern has the rear in high and the front in low and that will bind the drivetrain. Try not to do that and attempt to drive, you will either blow the U-joint on the driveshaft or the stub shafts.

v/r,

SevenT

Agreed.. that's what I thought to so didn't push it whatsoever.. It will start to move then it acts like you are applying the brakes ?? Something similar happened while leaving out on the Cades Cove cruise last Saturday? Only it didn't bind up but it did starting making a loud noise when shifting into 3rd gear? I pulled off the road and re positioned one of the levers and it went on just fine. I knew the front hubs where not locked or I would have not went any further.. Thanks!

 

[ribbits]

Ok.....
Two things going on, the PO has removed the interlock pills allowing the cross shifting option (some folks want that as a option). something about the shift linkage is reversing the pattern (typically seen on cable shifters, or shifter assemblies that use a bell-crank type linkage). I have not personally seen a bell-crank linkage used on an NP-205, so I am curious as to what you have. We do have knobs for the reverse pattern you have, but I would be happy to look at any pictures you want to email me of the shifter/linkage?

Jon

Jon,
Hope these pics will help you help me ! Could this be a bell crank type? Sure hope you can sale me some knobs as this crap is confusing?? That is a NP205 right? Also looks like I may be missing a nut and lock nut on one of them?

 

[sanndmann3]

A little hard to tell but it looks like the linkage to the transfer case is above the pivot point of the shifter rather than below it. That would effectively reverse the shift pattern... right?

 

[ribbits]

A little hard to tell but it looks like the linkage to the transfer case is above the pivot point of the shifter rather than below it. That would effectively reverse the shift pattern... right?

Sanndman,, Yes the swivel or pivot point is definitely below the input shafts. If the pivot or swivel points should be above the input shafts it does seem to me that would definitely reverse the shift pattern ?? That would also jive out with what I've discovered playing around with it thus far?? Hopefully JB can come up with some knobs? THANKS!

 

[Crush]

I knew we would get to the bottom of it Ribbits. that explains alot. I have been looking at the pics and trying to figure out what looked off the pivot point!!! good catch sandman. now Ribbits knows what end is turning what gear, lol

 

[ribbits]

I knew we would get to the bottom of it Ribbits. that explains alot. I have been looking at the pics and trying to figure out what looked off the pivot point!!! good catch sandman. now Ribbits knows what end is turning what gear, lol

Yes sir,, sure glad to put that to rest! Now I feel I can safely drive it! Now before ordering the knobs I best check the shift levers for size (dia) and threads per inch!! I'm bettin it ain't what it should be! Lol.. Thanks to all!