Aerostar 4X4

[THE WHITE RHINO]

interesting yet i just threw up in my mouth a little

 

[AllanD]

ya theres not too much to them. When I was stripping the interior in mine to get it ready for the radio hammer smash promotion thing, I realized they have very little crash protection...all they've got is the exterior sheetmetal, theres nothing on the inside!

Yeah, But I've seen some hit spectacularly hard and the interior looked like the driver in one particular vehicle would have had serious leg injuries, but anyone aside from the driver actually wearing a seatbelt would have
atleast staggered away (Nobody walks away from a hard impact like
nothing happened).

The engine in my van was originally from an aerostar that
suffered a hard right front impact that was ssevere enough
that both the passenger door and the sliding door were
"traumatically amputated" from the vehicle, along with
the right side suspension...

Before the vehicle rolled onto it's drivers side and slid to a stop.

Unless the passenger had a death grip on the inside door handle
they probably would have needed fresh underwear, but other
than the smell and embarrassment...

(that accident must have resembled the crash scene at the
beginning of "Pitch Black")

Roll an aerostar and the interior retains it's shape, but an OFFROAD
roll-over could involve a vertical drop, So I'd be inclined to add some
sort of reinforcement.


AD

 

[texasranger]

That's an awesome project! I've thought of it in the past, but was thinking that the Aerostar frame, having the Ranger type front end, would somewhat readily adapt to factory 4x4 parts. Is there some truth to that or am I way off base? Either way, thanks for sharing.

 

[Rulebreaker]

That's an awesome project! I've thought of it in the past, but was thinking that the Aerostar frame, having the Ranger type front end, would somewhat readily adapt to factory 4x4 parts. Is there some truth to that or am I way off base? Either way, thanks for sharing.

The entire drive train is Ranger compatible but there are some differences. The T case is different but a Ranger one will bolt up. The front axle is a Dana 28 but is entirely different than the Ranger one. The rear axle is about 3" wider than a Ranger but otherwise the same. Suspensions are two different animals altogether. RB

 

[AllanD]

The Aerostar uses a double-wishbone front suspension with coil springs.

And a three link suspension on coils in the back.

The only things actually common are:
1) the companion flange on the rear axle is common to the '90-up RBV's
2)The brake calipers and brake pads are common to the '83-94
(except SOME '86-87's)
3) the mating flange on the trans where the T-case bolts up uses
the same 5bolt pattern.

And for reference sake only, the 4.0 engine used in the Aerostar
is identical to the explorer engine EXCEPT for the exhaust manifolds
(yeah the accessory brackets are all the same)

AD

 

[texasranger]

Wow. So I was a ways off. Thanks for the information. I had thought that the front end was more similar than that....Been awhile since I looked at one, I guess.

 

[Rulebreaker]

Wow. So I was a ways off. Thanks for the information. I had thought that the front end was more similar than that....Been awhile since I looked at one, I guess.

The Ranger and Aerostar both had the same line of engines except the Aerostar never had the 2.9L. Both had A4LD,tk4,tk5, and M50d's, Both had Dana 28 front axles and Both had 7.5 and 8.8 rear axles. But dont be fooled they are difdferent animals. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

WOOOOOHOOOOOO

 

[Todd]

HP D 60, right

 

[Rulebreaker]

HP D 60, right

It's ultra rare as it came with C wedges and was pulled from a Escort GT. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

I slid it under there and did a mock up. Looks like the coils will line up with the buckets. Track bar will need some work. I ordered new 7 degree bushings for the front today, but it looks like I'll need to use drops for the radius arm mounts. I'm not sure how much. I'll have to get some idea's on how to tell how much to drop the mount. I 'll probably have to do some clearancing around the pig so I can have some more up travel.

 

[Sunk]

Sweeeeet. Looking good.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I never was fond of aerostars......but that one is going to be bad ass.

later,
Dustin

 

[PARKINGLOT]

sweeeeet...

 

[Rulebreaker]

I got the 7 degree bushings installed and I'm going to have to build a 8" radius arm drop to get to 3 degrees caster. I was hoping I wouldn't have to do that. I'm debating if it's worth the work to knock the knuckles off and re weld them on instead of dropping the radius arm. RB