is there such a thing as a front diff for the type 9?

[oglind]

I've started a new project and have come across a snag. The plan is a 2 Litre zetec engine with a Type 9 gearbox, laterally mounted in the chassis. Propshaft (Sierra 7") feeding a rear Sierra 7" Diff with LSD (3:6 ratio).

The problem is i also need a Diff for the front running at 3:6 with the LSD, but cant find one anywhere. It needs to be a non fixed axle (independant suspension).
At this point i wouldn't even mind having to get a different rear diff if i could find a front and back matching set.
Any ideas? really need some help with this

 

[Ginger Tom]

The only live front axles will be found on off road vehicle, you either need to get a 4x4 sierra box for lateral mounting or go for the escos set up which mounts the engine transversely. Try xr4x4 search on eBay, might bring up some stuff that can help you

 

[oilburner]

You could use a Borg Warner T5 gearbox then use Sierra Cosworth 4x4 front and rear axles

 

[Ginger Tom]

Or this ^^^^^^^

 

[oilburner]

The XR4x4 was a decent set up in its day but I think it used a Ferguson 4WD system that was heavier than the Sierra Cosworth 4x4 system

 

[Ginger Tom]

Probably, it was also for the 2.8 cologne engine aswell, was the first thing that came to my head when I thought of old Skool fords with 4wd

 

[oglind]

so effectively these parts with a T5 Gearbox?

http://www.rsclassics360.co.uk/?page_id=63

 

[oilburner]

The Type 9s a rugged old thing and is capable of handling some good power outputs, but its about as refined as a brick through a window. The MT75 gearbox is better and probably easier to source nowadays (or MTX75 if you're going for a transverse installation)

 

[oilburner]

so effectively these parts with a T5 Gearbox?

http://www.rsclassics360.co.uk/?page_id=63

That's the one, interestingly the T5 Cosworth gearbox is also shared with US Mustangs from the same period

 

[oglind]

The Zetec is going to be tuned to produce around 250bhp, and the vehicle is going to take a lot of off road battering, Currently in the workshop i have a Type 9 with H/D bearings and another the same but with close ratio setup. With the suspension setup capable of 40cm of travel, both the diffs and the gearbox are going to be shaken a lot, so im thinking maybe even the H/D Type 9 isn't enough

 

[oglind]

the next question is, any idea where i can get hold of brand new cosworth 4x4 diffs? it's a vehicle being built for someone that needs a new build registration

 

[oilburner]

I've seen 600BHP Cosworths using a H/D T5 also in 5 litre V8 Mustangs too. There's plenty of Cosworth and Escort WRC rally cars still being used in competition so there's bound to be a company out there that still makes them

 

[oglind]

i've found 2 sierra front units, think i'll pick both of them up, one looks in really bad shape though, wondering if the bottom plate went through.