aerostar mock-up
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Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up
Hi again guy's,
I hope you folks had a fine time at PF last weekend, I'll try to make it next year for sure.
Last week, I got my 51 stripped to the bare frame, and cleaned up the aerostar crossmember. The springs on both sides were broken off in exactly the same place; 1 coil on the bottom. I trimmed them both off 1&1/2 coil.
After mocking- up under the truck the frame is 2" closer to the ground, not down where I want it yet. I haveen't decided whether to notch the frame or the crossmember to get more at this point.
Before I start to cut I have to know if I should set it up with the stock axle center or should I move it ahead 1 1/2" like on a 53-56 install?
All sugestion will be appreciated and considered. I really only plan to do this once!
I hope you folks had a fine time at PF last weekend, I'll try to make it next year for sure.
Last week, I got my 51 stripped to the bare frame, and cleaned up the aerostar crossmember. The springs on both sides were broken off in exactly the same place; 1 coil on the bottom. I trimmed them both off 1&1/2 coil.
After mocking- up under the truck the frame is 2" closer to the ground, not down where I want it yet. I haveen't decided whether to notch the frame or the crossmember to get more at this point.
Before I start to cut I have to know if I should set it up with the stock axle center or should I move it ahead 1 1/2" like on a 53-56 install?
All sugestion will be appreciated and considered. I really only plan to do this once!
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
aerostar mock-up
Randy,
That's where I found the centerline to be on my 48 F-3. There are two holes side by side in the frame there where the bump stop is and it looks like the cut (for my Chrysler T-bar) will go right through the center of those two holes.
That's where I found the centerline to be on my 48 F-3. There are two holes side by side in the frame there where the bump stop is and it looks like the cut (for my Chrysler T-bar) will go right through the center of those two holes.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
aerostar mock-up
not to put a kink in the works but do you realize how wide the Aerostar is? It would require offset wheels on a 53-56. The offset would be greater on a F1.
If your frame is lower without an engine in it, I wonder where it will set after all the weight is on.
If your frame is lower without an engine in it, I wonder where it will set after all the weight is on.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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aerostar mock-up
The bumpstop holes should be good enough to use for the centerline when you are doing your mockup and for locateing where to make your notch, if your are going that route. Before you do the final weld I would locate the rear centerline and then measure diagonally to be sure you are square with the frame. It will be very difficult to aline the wheels if you are not. Truckfarmer is right about the width, the Aerostar is about 1" wider that a 56, I don't know how much wider that a pre53. Check
my gallery for pics of an install on a 56. I notched my frame 2" and my front frame rail is 6" lower than it was with the stock springs. I don't have an engine installed yet so I can't say what the final height will be.
my gallery for pics of an install on a 56. I notched my frame 2" and my front frame rail is 6" lower than it was with the stock springs. I don't have an engine installed yet so I can't say what the final height will be.
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up
The bottom of the rails were 17" off the floor without an engine or trans installed;I have a 351w/C6 combo. The crossmember was free for the taking and the 2" drop is with the original 14" tires and 1 1/2 coil removed. This project is not etched in stone yet so when I get some help this weekend we can set the front clip back on to check the width.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
aerostar mock-up
Randy,
I had some anxiety about the width of the Chrysler T-bar suspension into my 48 F-3 also since it is two inches narrower than the 53-56, but as I progress I find the width not a problem. The truck had 245-85/R16 tires on it and 6.5 inch wide 8-lug wheels on it which measured 68 inches outside to outside the front rubber. The Chrysler suspension with stock 15x7 15 inch wheels and 225-75/R15 tires mounted is only 69 inches outside to outside, or only 1/2 inch wider on each side. Even if the Aerostar is an inch wider than the 53-56 axle, you should be able to accomodate the extra width especially if you use 14 inch tires and wheels.
I had some anxiety about the width of the Chrysler T-bar suspension into my 48 F-3 also since it is two inches narrower than the 53-56, but as I progress I find the width not a problem. The truck had 245-85/R16 tires on it and 6.5 inch wide 8-lug wheels on it which measured 68 inches outside to outside the front rubber. The Chrysler suspension with stock 15x7 15 inch wheels and 225-75/R15 tires mounted is only 69 inches outside to outside, or only 1/2 inch wider on each side. Even if the Aerostar is an inch wider than the 53-56 axle, you should be able to accomodate the extra width especially if you use 14 inch tires and wheels.
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. But then to find 16" wheels with the 4 1/2 pattern.
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Joined: Aug 2002
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aerostar mock-up
Hi there, One thing to watch for with backspacing wheels on an Aerostar is the tall arm on the spindle were it meets the upper controlarm. Mine has stock 15x7 rims and there is only about 1 1/2" clearance between the mount and the tire.
Ozzie
Ozzie
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Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,328
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From: Iowa
aerostar mock-up
Ozzie or Truckfarmer. Perhaps I misunderstood the problem. Is the Aerostar too wide or too narrow? If it's wider than an F100, it sounds like the inability to backspace your wheels could be a real issue on the F1.
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Joined: Nov 2000
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From: Illinois
aerostar mock-up
The Aerostar is wider. As long as you know that going into it, you can plan for wheels. There was a F1 at PF that had new Mustang Bullitt wheels on it. They have a lot of backspacing. In fact, they almost look like front wheel drive wheels. But they sure looked sweet on that truck.
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up
I wont have a lot of cash tied up in this even after a rebuild,so new rims will be affordable;I'm using the 14" right now because they were on the vehicle when I torched the front of the frame. I'll go down today to look for some 15's with hard tires on them. My cousins have a small junkyard just 12miles down the road so I'll just borrow some!
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