FWD subframe similarities

[Boost All The Dollys]

Hello there, after a bit of a think, are the dolomite FWD front subframes the same as the RWD ones? I've got an idea to try and make a AWD dolomite with Sierra or Scorpio 4x4 systems

[Toledo Man]

There was a 4WD gearbox built. Triumph even built a rally 1300 with the 4WD running gear.

The gear box was the Pony gearbox.

The was the vehicle it was originally built for.

The last 2 photos were taken from the Canley Classics website. They might have a few of these gearboxes left (if they haven't weighed them in). This is what Canely Classics have to say about doing such a 4WD conversion.

Ever fancied building yourself a 4WD Triumph using all genuine Triumph bits?

Can't be done I hear you say, oh yes it can! We have a few factory reconditioned complete Pony gearboxes.

If you didn't know what a Pony was read on:

The Pony was a 4WD utility vehicle built by Triumph utilising 1300 FWD derived components, intended for use by the military. What you get looks like a 1300 FWD gearbox with a bit tacked on the back and a few extra levers. The bit tacked on the back is the transfer box which would be connected to a conventional prop. The extra levers control the switchable 2WD/4WD.

The best car to start with as a basis for this project would be 1500 FWD, correct subframe but retains a propshaft tunnel. At the rear you would bolt in a conventional Dolomite axle and connect it via prop to the transfer box. A bit of tin work with the gearbox tunnel and away you go. OK there's a little more to it than that, but its do-able. Imagine the scene, there you are at the start of the RAC rally, Triumph's honour at stake, Peugeot, Ford, Subaru all quaking in their boots!

[Boost All The Dollys]

There was a 4WD gearbox built. Triumph even built a rally 1300 with the 4WD running gear.

The gear box was the Pony gearbox.

The was the vehicle it was originally built for.

The last 2 photos were taken from the Canley Classics website. They might have a few of these gearboxes left (if they haven't weighed them in). This is what Canely Classics have to say about doing such a 4WD conversion.

Ever fancied building yourself a 4WD Triumph using all genuine Triumph bits?

Can't be done I hear you say, oh yes it can! We have a few factory reconditioned complete Pony gearboxes.

If you didn't know what a Pony was read on:

The Pony was a 4WD utility vehicle built by Triumph utilising 1300 FWD derived components, intended for use by the military. What you get looks like a 1300 FWD gearbox with a bit tacked on the back and a few extra levers. The bit tacked on the back is the transfer box which would be connected to a conventional prop. The extra levers control the switchable 2WD/4WD.

The best car to start with as a basis for this project would be 1500 FWD, correct subframe but retains a propshaft tunnel. At the rear you would bolt in a conventional Dolomite axle and connect it via prop to the transfer box. A bit of tin work with the gearbox tunnel and away you go. OK there's a little more to it than that, but its do-able. Imagine the scene, there you are at the start of the RAC rally, Triumph's honour at stake, Peugeot, Ford, Subaru all quaking in their boots!

Oh wow, really didn't know that. Unfortunately, one of the many things I would be doing to my triumph would be an engine swap as although the 1.5 is punchy, it's just too unreliable. I'm more interested in the front subframes and if I can fit a FWD to my RWD so there's clearance and I don't have to start hacking out the RWD subframe.

The engine I was debating was a ford cologne V6 with the 5-Speed manual and 4WD gearbox. The V6 already has a diff attached with a similar ratio to the one I think I have to make it easier. Also the ford V6 is quite tuneable, giving up to 300hp with superchargers.

[Toledo Man]

Are you fitting the 2.8 or the 2.9? The main difference is the that the 2.8 had fibre timing gears which would break (the fix is to replace them with metal ones) and the 2.9 has a timing chain. My Mk3 Granada Scorpio had the 2.9 V6 and it made a beautiful noise!

[Boost All The Dollys]

Are you fitting the 2.8 or the 2.9? The main difference is the that the 2.8 had fibre timing gears which would break (the fix is to replace them with metal ones) and the 2.9 has a timing chain. My Mk3 Granada Scorpio had the 2.9 V6 and it made a beautiful noise!

Has any one done a 4wd dolly? Apart from triumph? Talking to some of the guys on the PH forums and they are suggesting that it wouldn't be a good choice

[Carledo]

Are you fitting the 2.8 or the 2.9? The main difference is the that the 2.8 had fibre timing gears which would break (the fix is to replace them with metal ones) and the 2.9 has a timing chain. My Mk3 Granada Scorpio had the 2.9 V6 and it made a beautiful noise!

Has any one done a 4wd dolly? Apart from triumph? Talking to some of the guys on the PH forums and they are suggesting that it wouldn't be a good choice

I think its been done, possibly with a YB Cosworth, I have no details though, but the work involved would be stupendous and would almost certainly need massive mods to the front subframe or even a bespoke fabricated one and possibly a swap to Macpherson strut suspension.

Steve

[Boost All The Dollys]

Are you fitting the 2.8 or the 2.9? The main difference is the that the 2.8 had fibre timing gears which would break (the fix is to replace them with metal ones) and the 2.9 has a timing chain. My Mk3 Granada Scorpio had the 2.9 V6 and it made a beautiful noise!

Has any one done a 4wd dolly? Apart from triumph? Talking to some of the guys on the PH forums and they are suggesting that it wouldn't be a good choice

I think its been done, possibly with a YB Cosworth, I have no details though, but the work involved would be stupendous and would almost certainly need massive mods to the front subframe or even a bespoke fabricated one and possibly a swap to Macpherson strut suspension.

Steve

Yeah, after looking at the subframe, only way to get it set up well would to be to move the cross member that carries the steering rack forward, to in front on the engine or to below the radiator so they have the space to put a diff