Can anyone tell me if a ford 9" differential and casing be used for a front axle.
The differential on the front would be like the rear running in reverse all the time, would this be ok for the ring gear ?
Is the ring gear designed in a rear diff for going forward more than reverse,
( obviously reversing is minimal compared to driving forward ) or does it not really matter which way the ring gear turns?.
I am building a off road vehicle with independent suspension and I am wanting to use ford 9" differentials and housings with 6.66 ratio gear.
The overall width of the housing is 26". Custom flanges would attach the CV shafts.
Hope to hear from someone and appologise in advance if this is a DUMB question.

Many thanks

Alan Gillies

Yes they can be used in the front with no issue. There is no need to reverse anything. Sounds like an interesting project. You shoudl post some pictures.

In that instance I would look at the "True Hi 9" They use custom reverse rotation gearsets made by Richmond Gear so you would be driving on the drive-side of the ring gear when used in a front application. Its only a matter of time before I build one for somebody with some D60 knuckles on it. The only thing that might stop you is the gear ratio that you want. I don't know if they go that low.

They go to 6.66 and lower, actually. They aren't cheap gear sets, but the dirt car guys use them all the time as their only gear reduction. They slip that Bert tranny into direct and just go. If you're talking about a reverse rotation set up I'm not sure you could do 6.66's.

Is there any reason you NEED to go high pinion? The diff will work as is in the front. Running on the drive side instead of the coast side of the gear (high pinion, reverse rotation) would give you something like a 30% increase in gear tooth strength in forward, but I don't think that will be your weak point. Besides...high pinion center section castings that allow for proper oiling cost money.

I'd like to see some pictures of this rig....