NP 203 questions

[calfj60]

First question:

I drove my truck last night for the first time in a really loooong time and the 203 seemed kinda loud and then it popped out of gear....does yours feel like it really engages when you move the shifter??? Is there any adjustmnet or do I need to take it apart again

Second question:

Just confirmong that back is high and forward is low??? stupid but just wanted to make sure

Thanks

 

[TOY350]

Wish I had more info for you Tim:

My 203 is quiet, I can't say I really hear it.

It hasn't ever popped out of gear, but I don't have any type of positive feel of engagement. It's either all the way forward or back and I can't "feel" anything.

It's dark out and spitting snow so I can't crawl under right now, but the way my linkage is setup my lever for high range is back towards the rear of the vehicle. By the lever back I would think that the lever on the 203 would be pulled forward for high range. I will crawl under it tomorrow to verify.

Garett

 

[Mark W]

It's not unusual for 203s to want to pop out of gear. The detent spring weakens over time. I've had to replace/shim detent springsin a couple. No problem afterwards.


Mark...

 

[calfj60]

Thanks guys for the insight....

Mark,

how would I go about shimming or working with a weak spring???

Thanks

 

[Mark W]

It has been a while since I had to deal with it, but IIRC (I'm at home now and don't have one to look at) the plug that holds the detent spring in is pretty easily accessible. Back it out and install a stiffer spring or shim it. I *think* that the last time i dealt with this I actually put two springs in. A smaller one inside a larger one.

I seem to have a memory of the linkage being able to move more than you want it too while the spring is out. Maybe not, but I don't want to lead you into a problem because I forgot about a gotcha. Maybe someone who has a 203 opened up on the floor for an install can verify. I've got two doubler setups at the shop but they are buttoned up and under rigs at the moment.

It's not that big a deal and only takes a few minutes. I just can;t remember if there may be a step I am forgetting that keeps it simple.


Mark...

 

[calfj60]

Mark,

Thanks and I will look it over when I get a chance but probably not until Monday...Long weekend of work ahead...

Tim

 

[calfj60]

Garett,

Just wonderin if you had a chance to get outside and take a look at your linkage?? If not no worries...I won't get a chance to do anything with my truck until Thursday...

Thanks Tim

 

[TOY350]

Sorry Tim I am barely at the computer sick with the damn flu...

I will check when I can for you.

 

[calfj60]

Hey no worries...when you feel up to it and not before then...My daughter was sick for like a week with some screwed up flu...get better

 

[TOY350]

Hey Tim all better now,

Here are some pics. Basicaly for high range the 203 lever is towards the engine and towards the rear end for low range. Hope this is what you needed.

Garett

 

[calfj60]

Garett,

Thanks for the pics.....I will work on stealing some ideas from your linkage if that is ok???

Tim

 

[TOY350]

Let me know if you need better pics, the levers work great but I still have to have a custom boot made for the 3 sticks. All 3 come out of the factory original 1 stick hole, so we didn't have to cut up the tunnel which was nice.

 

[calfj60]

I am workin on it right now....inbetween the rain drops....damm rain it is not supposed to rain in the southern california desert that we call LA....any and all pics would be great....Thanks again

 

[TOY350]

Here are a couple of more. We made a plate that bolts to the transmission for stability and off of that made the pivot point for the levers.

 

[TOY350]

Couple more...

 

[calfj60]

Thanks....I am fabbin one that I will hopefully get my buddy to weld tommorow...Mine is gonna bolt off the 203 and then using an arm attached to it allowing me to have a second pivot for the splitcase shifters....I am gonna leave the 203 lever alone...Thanks again...

 

[TOY350]

No prob Tim. Good luck on it