Started out with a burnt up th350/ np203 combo behind a 454. The tranny slipped and leaked and the 203 woulnd shift. I bought a th400 from an 89 4x4 on CL. Months later, found an np205 from an 84 at a local 4x4 salvage and they wouldn't bolt up. The 400 had a 6 bolt short adapter for a 208 or 241 and the 205 was 32 spline female input with a figure 8 tall adapter. I had no idea how to deal. I sent the tranny to a shop to be rebuilt and found out the output shaft had to be replaced. The tranny had 2.5" from the tail housing and I needed about 6. They replaced the shaft and all is well except now that I have overcome the issue of installing a tranny and 205 on a truck with 14" of lift and I've filled the tranny with fluid I come to my question, why does the out put shaft turn like the tranny is in gear when in neutral? Is that normal without a driveshaft installed?

Yep. Might be an issue if it was in park.

yes, its NORMAL

if no move, no worky. there are things called sprags inside an automatic transmission that resist rotation.

its ok.... really.

That a relief. From what little I have read on these boards It is obvious you are respected, Grumpy. I just didn't want to have to sneak my father-in-law's utility trailer back under my rig to use as a working platform. Although it was a lot safer than stacking anything I could find under there to make my floor jack reach. I can hardly wait to get my driveshaft lenghthened and flush the brakes so my truck can move under it's own power rather than me just pushing it to one end of the driveway and back!

truck can move under it's own power rather than me just pushing it to one end of the driveway and back!

thats too much work I just drink beer and look at mine