Aerostar front end question
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 1
From: Kansas City
Aerostar front end question
Can anyone be kind enough to give me the basic measurements for this front end.
General ride height
Frame width
tire track width (distance from inner wheel to inner wheel)
How long this set up is (distace from front of front suspension to rear of front suspension)
Since I am done with my 58, my wife wants me to work on her truck. It is a 47 international, that has a perfect body, but someone stripped everything off of the frame. (no axles, no leaf springs, no brackets, just a body and a frame.)
I want to use all ford, but am at a loss about the front suspesion.
I am leaning toward a 80's Ranger front, or the Aerostar.
Cutting at the firewall, and welding in a new clip are not an issue, but money is.
Any help, or pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the assistance.
Bulldog58
General ride height
Frame width
tire track width (distance from inner wheel to inner wheel)
How long this set up is (distace from front of front suspension to rear of front suspension)
Since I am done with my 58, my wife wants me to work on her truck. It is a 47 international, that has a perfect body, but someone stripped everything off of the frame. (no axles, no leaf springs, no brackets, just a body and a frame.)
I want to use all ford, but am at a loss about the front suspesion.
I am leaning toward a 80's Ranger front, or the Aerostar.
Cutting at the firewall, and welding in a new clip are not an issue, but money is.
Any help, or pointers would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance for the assistance.
Bulldog58
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Florida
Aerostar front end question
Originally posted by BullDog58
Hi Bulldog58, We're working on an Aerostar frontend in a '55 F100. I'll try to answer your questions:
General ride height
It's not finished, but with the eng/trans installed, and no front bodywork, it's 18 1/4" to the top of the crossmember where it meets the frame. This is with the 14" Aerostar wheels & tires. We notched the frame 2" to lower the truck, as opposed to putting the frame directly onto the crossmember.
Frame width
The Aerostar is a little wider than the '55. It measures 38" from outside to outside.
tire track width (distance from inner wheel to inner wheel)
54" measured from the inner lip of the wheels
How long this set up is (distace from front of front suspension to rear of front suspension)
The Aerostar crossmember is about 11", front to rear, below the frame. If you notch the frame to lower the truck, you'll need to notch enough to clear the rack ends (tie rods).
A couple of things to consider:
The steering rack points almost straight up in the stock location. Some members have rotated theirs back to get the rack pointed towards the steering column. I mounted my column higher than stock and was able to use the stock Aerostar u joints and damper as well. Another option might be three u joints with a support braring.
Clearance from engine mounts, exhaust, oil filter and steering are close. Mine worked out by using cast iron manifolds (my headers wouldn't clear) and relocating the oil filter.
The Aerostar frame is 1" taller than the '55. Assuming the '58 is similar, you'll need to fabricate something to mount the upper control arms. I used 3X4" rect tube, but check out Ozzie1's gallery for his approach. I like his better.
I have pics in my gallery, if you want any specific closeups, I'll try to take them for you.
Ed
Bulldog58 [/B]
Hi Bulldog58, We're working on an Aerostar frontend in a '55 F100. I'll try to answer your questions:
General ride height
It's not finished, but with the eng/trans installed, and no front bodywork, it's 18 1/4" to the top of the crossmember where it meets the frame. This is with the 14" Aerostar wheels & tires. We notched the frame 2" to lower the truck, as opposed to putting the frame directly onto the crossmember.
Frame width
The Aerostar is a little wider than the '55. It measures 38" from outside to outside.
tire track width (distance from inner wheel to inner wheel)
54" measured from the inner lip of the wheels
How long this set up is (distace from front of front suspension to rear of front suspension)
The Aerostar crossmember is about 11", front to rear, below the frame. If you notch the frame to lower the truck, you'll need to notch enough to clear the rack ends (tie rods).
A couple of things to consider:
The steering rack points almost straight up in the stock location. Some members have rotated theirs back to get the rack pointed towards the steering column. I mounted my column higher than stock and was able to use the stock Aerostar u joints and damper as well. Another option might be three u joints with a support braring.
Clearance from engine mounts, exhaust, oil filter and steering are close. Mine worked out by using cast iron manifolds (my headers wouldn't clear) and relocating the oil filter.
The Aerostar frame is 1" taller than the '55. Assuming the '58 is similar, you'll need to fabricate something to mount the upper control arms. I used 3X4" rect tube, but check out Ozzie1's gallery for his approach. I like his better.
I have pics in my gallery, if you want any specific closeups, I'll try to take them for you.
Ed
Bulldog58 [/B]
Last edited by blueovalinvestments; Jun 9, 2003 at 07:03 PM.
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 152
Likes: 0
Aerostar front end question
Hi Bulldog, I see Ed gave you the measurements, so I'll skip that. My Aerostar install cost me less than $300.00 Can. I shopped around and found a very good member for $150,bought 1/2 sheet of 3/16 plate for boxing the frame and some 4x1/4 strap to build the risers $90 and 4 5/8 frame bolts to fasten the upper control arm mount. It took about 20 hours includeing fitting the boxing plates makeing templates and welding everything in place.
I haven't done anything with the steering yet because I don 't have an engine that I know for sure I am useing. I don't believe it to be a big problem( the steering) makeing my mind up about the engine is. Feel free to contact me if you have more ?
Good Luck! Ozzie
I haven't done anything with the steering yet because I don 't have an engine that I know for sure I am useing. I don't believe it to be a big problem( the steering) makeing my mind up about the engine is. Feel free to contact me if you have more ?
Good Luck! Ozzie
