why an NP208 in m1008?

[csramsey640]

Ive always wondered with the beefy d60 front, 14b rear, lockers, 1 ton springs, etc, etc why wasnt the np205 transfer case just installed as basic m1008 equipment, rather than the PTO units? Im not knocking the 208 case, but it would seem that this is a dead give away when such a strong np205 was out there.

 

[CCATLETT1984]

the 208 does have a lower ratio in low range, other than that, you got me?

I wish my truck had came with the 205, but I will be swapping the one i have in the garage into the truck one of these years.

 

[ARMYMAN30YearsPlus]

That is one reason I jumped on the M 1031 besides the body and 12Kw Generator it has the great NP 205 in it.

 

[1956_4x4]

Although I'd take the 205 over the 208 any day of the week, I have to admit that the 208 has held up well in the CUCV. I can only think of two 208s that we had to change in the CUCVs while I was in the service and I was in for most of the expected life span of this truck. If I remember correctly, both of those transfer cases were changed because they broke from impact with something.

Smitty

 

[AJMBLAZER]

A. Lightweight and strong. As mentioned above it's rare to see a NP208 actually break other than from abuse or being whacked on something. The skid plate pretty much eliminates the whacking problem unless the abuse gets really bad.
Ever herc'd a 208 around vs a 205? Which do you think the maintenance guys would rather have to change?

B. HMMWV's used an aluminum case variant along the lines of a 208/231/241 so probably more impetus to go with a similar case in the CUCV's.

C. Deeper gearing. Make up for the unimpressive first gear in the TH400 and the highway gears in the M1009's.

D. Parts commonality with what GM was making at the time. The 205 was increasingly being relegated to only the 1 tons while the 1/2 tons and most of the 3/4 tons were getting the 208.

In my opinion the only thing better than the 208 in the CUCV's would have been a 241 (especially with a SYE) but the CUCV's were a bit early for that.

 

[CCATLETT1984]

in regards to B, the hmmwv case doesnt share anything with the mp208.

 

[AJMBLAZER]

Yeah, but similar tech. These trucks were chosen because of the drivetrain similarities to the HMMWV's.

 

[CUCVFAN]

Cost... 40,000 more NP-205's would have driven the contract cost up significantly.

GM had a much better supply system for the 208, since it was used in the 1/2 and 3/4-ton trucks, production of which far out-numbered 1-ton production.

 

[puppy]

FWIW, I wheeled an NP208 behind a built big block and a 4-speed with 44" cut boggers for 5 years in a non-street legal hybrid cab truck without any problems from the NP208.

I was very surprised by the strength of the t-case.

 

[84cucv1ton]

that thins looks mean!!!