RockAuto Closing out Aerostar Parts
CHEAP prices on brand name parts. Means they are going to drop support for our Aerostars, not cost effective to carry inventory and maintain tracking software

 

How did you find this out?

 

Also, a lot of parts were out of stock.

 

Actually, I consider this a good thing. (Not that the selection of Aerostar will is going down, the fact that prices are cheap) And, yes, it's true, there will be fewer parts in inventory. It just makes good business sense. WalMart doesn't make room for products that don't sell, either.
To those who do not know this, RockAuto, at times, may send you an email with a link that describes closeout parts on a vehicle that you have ordered parts for in the past. Here's one of the first closeout links that I have received:
Wholesaler Closeout Parts : 1978 MERCURY ZEPHYR 5.0L 302cid V8
Copy and past that web address into your web browser and see what comes up. (Edit: looks like all you have to do is click on it) If you open this link, you will see that it is a link for closeout parts for a 1978 Mercury Zephyr with a 302 engine. (Don't laugh too hard. Fairmonts and Zephyrs with small blocks are fun!) That link will show all the current closeout parts that Rock Auto shows that that make and model of car. Now if you look closely at the link, pay attention to the seven-digit number in that link, in this case it's "1204322". By simply changing those numbers, you can look at all the current closeout parts for a different vehicle.
Let's go to RockAuto and pick on a 1996 Ford Aerostar with a 4.0 engine. After putting that make and model number in a generic RockAuto search, the current number in that web address is "1105186". Okay, now we substitute the 1105186 into the old closeout link that had 1204322. (Edit: Here is your new link: Wholesaler Closeout Parts : 1996 FORD AEROSTAR 4.0L V6) Notice that the only difference between the links is the separate numbers between the Zephyr and the Aerostar)
Presto! We now see all the current closeout parts for a 1996 Ford Aerostar with the 4.0 engine.
It bothers me, too, that the aftermarket parts supply for the Aerostar is getting smaller. But this is your chance to pick up some parts that are usually priced cheaper than your local brick and mortar stores.
One last advantage of ordering closeout parts is that they USUALLY all ship from the same warehouse, saving you money on your shipping costs.