Ok I have done the search and looked thru countless post and replys. Has anyone installed and driven on this front end yet? Has it become a succesfull alternative to the some of the others yet. Any information would be appreciated. Ed

 

I am one of the originators of the Aerostar swap on this sight. But I have never got to drive a finished truck. I have seen 2 53-56's on the road. One was at the Goodguys Waukesha show. The owner knew nothing about it as he bought it that way.
I saw one in the Truck for sale Corral at the Supernats this year. Never got to talk to the owner though.
So, there are some on the road. Hope we can get a report from them.

 

What? Noone else has seen one or has finished one? Come on guys. This has been selected as a viable alternative. Is there any good news?

Ed

 

I think I'm the only one that has not only finished it but have been driving it for almost a year. It's OUTSTANDING, the best thing I've done to my 56. the ride is Great and it handles like a sports car. I get a lot of inquires when people see it and they like how clean and stock it looks, check out my gallery. I used the sway bar and all. It's cheeper than all the rest of the installs and NO frame cuts to weekin the frame. If you have any questions let me know, I've probly got the answer on the install......the do's and don'ts. I'm in Fort Worth,Tx, and I'll be at Goodguys again this year with it.

 

Hey Scott. That is what I wanted to hear. I already have the front end sitting in my garage and cannot wait to get home and install it. I will be contacting you as soon as I am ready to do it. Thanks

Ed

 

I think that Scott would be able to clearly confirm this but I believe that without notching the frame, you may not sit as low as you want and still maintain some decent front-end suspension geometry. I want to end up with the top of the front bumper being even with the center of the spindle for my desired ride height and, with the lower arm level, that requires a 2" notch into the frame. I beleive that Ozzie ended up with about a 2" notch as well. And if you notch to get it down a little lower, you may need to notch for the steering rack clearance as well.

Just my thoughts.

Regards, John

 

I have almost got mine on the road.

I installed an Aerostar IFS maybe 6 months ago in my driveway. Took me 2 good long weekends and the week between a couple of nights. I have had it down on the pavement and it sits pretty low, but I have a really heavey engine.

As soon as I finish installing a new oil pan I just built, hook up the steering column, and get some power steering hoses made I will let you know how it drives.

I should have had it done by now but I got distracted by another project. I got involved in one of those Darpa Grand Challenge projects. Our team just got eliminated so I am back working on the truck.

 

I see these being put into the 53-56. Has any one put one into a 51. My father has an Aerostar that he is willing to donate to me. Have been giving it some thought if it will fit as easily as in the 53-56 models. Will be getting the entire vehicle so all parts are there.

 

Fordman
I've got one installed on my '51 which I won't be able to drive till next summer. Some will say it will end up being too wide for an F-1. With stock aerostar rims and P/215-15 in. tires I believe it can work, but you will be severely limited on front tire and rim choices. Mine is sitting with no shocks installed yet and with the wheels cranked all the way in either direction I can jump up and down on the frame horns on either side till the bumpstops hit and the tires do not hit the fenders.
This is by far the most economical to install.The parts are everywhere an notching the frame a couple of inches and rotating the rack can be done by a first timer (ME). I think I have about 60hrs. total including final welding grinding and covering it all with Zero Rust.
Later...Randy

 

Randy, that's good to know. I have a 50 (same frame 48-52) and was also wondering if the aerostar worked on the 48-52.

Why is it too wide? Is a 53-56 front axle wider than the 48-52? How wide is the aerostar or how much wider is it than the stock 48-52?

 

Has anyone put this setup on a 57-60? I'm pretty sure they're the same width as the 53-56 trucks. I would love to put one of those on mine. Is there a tech article on this site for this. I could do the work I just wouldn't know how to put it in. Also what years Aerostar work the best. Any info would help a lot. Thanks, John

 

The 48-56 have the same hub width but the front frame width is 32" on 48-52 and 34" on the 53 and up trucks.

 

Randy, thanks for the info. from reading the little tech article the 86-97 vans will all work as donor vehicles. It says 20 hrs for a install so 60hrs sounds about right for me also.

 

So is that 2" (5 cm for you Nathan) difference the reason some say the aerostar is too wide for the 48-52? Are the fenders wider on a 53-56 than they are on a 48-52? It seems that a narrower frame would allow for BIGGER tires without rubbing on the frame.

 

The fenders are narrower on the 48-52's. Like I stated earlier, tire and wheel sizes will be limited (6" rims would be best) so if you want 17" or 18" wheels that some streetrodders seem to like I wouldn't choose the Aerostar swap.
I plan on stock looking 6" rims with a 70 or 75 series tire.
Later...Randy