an NP205 IS the greatest Transfer case ever and anyone who says different should be crucified or executed by impalement... the NP208? not so much,
Frankly I am no fan of any T-case with a slip yoke.
The NP208 is NOT positively lubricated.
The NP205 doesn't need to be and if you are into SERIOUSLY off-roading
the 205 can easily be "Twin Sticked"
another likely candidate is Borg Warner 13-56 from a full size bronco
The full size bronco version of the 13-56 has a FIXED rear output.
(The F-series version has a slip yoke)
Personally I believe that I'd rather have my slip yokes built into the driveshaft...
and keep a spare shaft handy.
Intentionally making the T-case housing a disposable wear item just seems stupid to me.
BTW, if you DO go with an NP205, these have a provision for a mount on the "Drop"
I must recommend in the strongest terms that you do fabricate brackets to mount the
drop to the drivers side frame rail.
The NP205 is all IRON and it a heavy bastard... not as heavy as an NP203
(I have two NP203's if anyone here has a major hard-on for one, or for making
a doubler out of one.
i totally agree on a 205 being the undisputed heavyweight king.
and in your case of mud racing the best bet. some how...some way.... the 208 holds up like front 10 bolts on some tracks/classes in chevies. i dont have an answer for that.
the dodge and jeep and some ford 208 come with fixed yoke, some specific packaged early 80's 1 ton fords, some short 1/2 tons and all broncos.
the 205 and jeep 208 fits pretty good....if you have a dodge or chevy front axle those cases fit good as well but you have to route the exhaust the other way.
this is a jeep 208, fits real good and can be kept right near the rail line... but jumping kills them....well all of the cases die from that eventually really.
this is a typical 208 install on dangerranger83... its way too low from the rail line for me. but is workable. the 205 will be similar to this just inside the rail a little more. i dont see that as a problem for a mud truck.
this is a current fullsize 208 install on my truck, prior to this i did mod the upper rail again because i had the case in a different position and it was on a ford trans and small block. if you look you can see that the metal has been removed and replaced before on the upper and lower rails, now i just roll the rail out of the way but since my frame has been modded so many times that was not a good way to go so i just trimmed and radiused it a bit. had i had this clocked to this position there would beno rail modifications needed at all..
i cock the powertrain from centerline obviously to facilitate this. but ground clearance is ideal and protecting the t case is easier this way.
this is what my engine looks like compared to a small block.
so theres always some give and take with placement. but the fact is a 208 case will fit in the rails.....with that behemoth engine. so its reasonable to think a small block can accommodate this as well.