Our '93 Aerostar XLT, has power windows, power locks, power mirrors, aluminum wheels, running boards, roof rack, and a console. The '96 XLT we just bought has none of those. The only XLT-like items on it are the seats and the am-fm cassette radio, both of which the '93 has, too. So, what makes an XLT,an XLT?

 

I have a brochure for the 1991 model and it shows the following standard items for the XLT over the Xl or XL Plus versions:

- XLT Cloth seats (I think that may be a fake velor fabric with a color strip)
- AC
- Cruise control and tilt steering wheel
- Light group (glove box, under instrument panel, under hood, ash tray, front reading lamps, head lamps on warning, illuminated entry)
- Under seat stowage bin

So just about everything else is optional. Maybe the option list or packages for 1996 changed, but the XLT trim for 1991 does not come standard with very much additional components.

 

My lowly 1992 XL has AC, Cruise, Tilt, Light group, headlamp on warning and the under seat stowage bin, and the 3-tone color that was popular with XLTs, so obviously these things could be sold separately as well. It also had a factory radio with rear headphone jacks.

I think after 1995 all Aerostars were packaged as XLTs.

 

Yes, all those items are also available as options. Also, at some point, Ford removed the XL Plus level, so some options included with that trim went to the XL (the XL effectively got an "upgrade").

 

Since I started this thread, I noticed the '93 is an XL, not an XLT. It's equipped much like taurus8's, except for the 3 tone color and the rear headphone jack. The '96 does have the rear headphone jack. The window sticker is in the '96, and shows the AM/FM stereo w/cassette, and I assume rear jack, was a $189 option above the standard XL AM/FM stereo!

 

my 92 XL has

rear audio
rear air conditioning
under seat bin
cruise control
tilt steering wheel
the "light group" described above

my parents ordered it custom from the factory... should still have some interesting paperwork for it

 

My 89 XL has:

Manual Windows
Manual Door Locks
Manual Transmission
Heat up front

I guess I should be happy it came with a radio and speakers, at least until someone stole them when the previous owner had it.

 

Wow I have never seen one with manual anything...

 

it seems like the early years they sold more manuals than they did in the early to mid 90s

 

Our '96 XLT has the auto trans, but manual windows and locks, which is what prompted my original question.

 

My 94 XLT has the following items my 92 XL does not have:

Dual air/heat
Slightly nicer upholstery on the seats
Cloth upholstered door trim panels to match the seats
Cig lighter by rear radio controls
Extended Body
Slightly nicer upholstery on the seats
Inflatable lumbar supports in the front seats
Electric rear window defogger

They both have the same:

AM/FM/Cassette radio with rear controls but no equalizer
Electric side mirrors
Electric windows up front
Automatic A4LD 4-speed transmission
3.0 liter engine
Tilt wheel
Cruise control

 

My 92 XL was a custom order, so the 2nd owner told me (I'm the 3rd). Somewhere out there, there's a '97 with the identical equipment as they ordered it to replace my '92 when they found out the Aero was to be discontinued. To be complete, here's mine:

Extended Body
Green/Tan 3 tone
4.0L
AM/FM/Cassette radio with rear control (cassette swapped out for Panasonic, but rear controls still work, kinda)
Big mirrors (look like the electric ones) but are manual
Only front A/C, no heat/AC in the rear
Under Seat Bin
Cruise
Tilt
Light Group

Manual Windows, Manual Locks
Auto Trans
No rear Cig lighter
No lumbar adjust
Rear defroster
Rear wiper
Seats - 2 bench in back.

I was told that the first owner used to tow his horses with the Aero and it had a pampered life. They put some silicone sealant on the body to inhibit rust, and it's worked -- only now is it showing through. 2nd owner had it from 100,000kms to 280,000 - used it for hauling 2 growing boys around and their sports gear, ski trips and would haul bees in it occasionally! I've had it for nearly 8 years from 280,000kms to 340,000kms and I tow a tent trailer (1500lbs with stuff included) up mountains.