Need Advice on 1978 full time axle and transfer case

An NP203 transfer case,727 Torqueflite and Dana 44 full time front axle is up for sale locally cheap. They are the same year as my RC (1978).I am looking for tips on what to look for when I go see this stuff.Specifically the NP203 and D44, I am pretty familiar with the transmission. I have decided to keep my truck the original full time system and I think it would be great to have the correct spares of this stuff. Many thanks!

From memory, wheel bearings are a maintenance item. Inspect and roll over each wheel to see what it feels like. Sounds silly, but when rolling everything over, make sure the drive shaft yoke spins... in other words, gears are intact and functional. Beyond that, visual inspection and whatever history you can get on the parts.

The chain inside the transfer case stretches with use...unless you know it has definitely been replaced recently, I would replace it before putting it in another Truck.

I would do an inspection if in the truck or on the ground.

jack up/open diff cover/check axles u-joints at wheel hubs turn one opposite directions looking for slop/broken axles.

look for gear lube leaks around pinion seals/same for xfer seals.

look at all teeth on spiders/ring/pinion for sharpness/breakage/wear clearances.

like said wheel bearings are a high wear item, so just figure for new ones.

the housings/knuckles/spindles are the most important things to have as spare parts. these are hard to come by when worn or broken

did I mention how important a bearing spindle is? those small stub axles are gold as long as the threds are good..... FYI biggest problem is worn bearing and over torqueing the nut till it strips for running out of threds on stub axle.

so check nut and thred conditions

I always like to have spare parts to keep repair what was in my 79 RC over R&R the whole unit for repair (most times)

tie rod and dogbone are worth saveing if they are there.

I have only had 2 203 xfers wear enough for the chain to slip but they broke/busted not long after that thrashing it.

never any issues from the range box just chain slippage & breakage from chain.

IMHO you cant go wrong having any of it as a spare on hand. try finding it when your down and NEED to find it.