How to swap a 205 tcase into a '71 w/T18??

I think the biggest problem is fitting it physically between the frame rails..

Why not a D20?? much easier, use factory brackets and still have the centered output..

 

I had a 205 drivetrain sitting under my '76 once as I pondered swapping an entire Chevy drivetrain into a 5. Physical size left to right is one factor, but rear driveshaft length is another. Unlike the D18/20 that use "ears" to attach to some kind of adapter or directly to the back of a transmission, the NP205 uses either a racetrack pattern or standard round 6 bolt pattern that requires hardware to be inserted from the front side, i.e. you need at least some kind of spacer/adapter in place between the transmission and t-case, much the same way a D300 would require one on later CJs. A D300 is short, though. The 205 is a behemoth. Unless you could do some type of rear yoke conversion, short adapter, clocking ring, etc, I think it would be impractical in the 5, and even if you did those things, pretty sure it would hang down really low.

 

Did see it mentioned any other place, the D18 is a offset output, so a new rear axle is going to be needed to put just about any other Xfer in.

Edit:
just saw that it was mentioned.

 

I'v seen somewhere (JP Mag?) a girdle to strengthen the d18 case. I'd say check their web site or google for info on building a stronger d18. If I had to swap I would look at a 300 before trying a 205.

 

I wanna say Tri-County Gear I think in Pomona, CA had those available. Might PM Dummy (Christian Hazel) if you can't find it on the JP web site. Nickmil