Aerostar IFS Install notes
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Hi Scott,
I am getting close myself. I went and purchased 14" Aerostar wheels and tires from the junkyard and installed them this weekend. Those things are tiny under the truck fenders so I wouldn't suggest them to anybody.
The next thing I noticed is how the suspension is sitting with weight on it. Right now my truck is a bit light in the front. It is missing the inner fender wells, anti-freeze, the starter and some minor engine parts. But the suspension is sitting almost exactly between the upper and lower bump stops.
I am concerned that when I get all the weight back on it might be really close to the bump stops.
This weekend I am installing a remote oil filter adapter (the cross member now passes under the original oil filter) and a hydroboost brake system.
I haven't found a tilt steering column in the junk yard that I am happy with.
I am getting close myself. I went and purchased 14" Aerostar wheels and tires from the junkyard and installed them this weekend. Those things are tiny under the truck fenders so I wouldn't suggest them to anybody.
The next thing I noticed is how the suspension is sitting with weight on it. Right now my truck is a bit light in the front. It is missing the inner fender wells, anti-freeze, the starter and some minor engine parts. But the suspension is sitting almost exactly between the upper and lower bump stops.
I am concerned that when I get all the weight back on it might be really close to the bump stops.
This weekend I am installing a remote oil filter adapter (the cross member now passes under the original oil filter) and a hydroboost brake system.
I haven't found a tilt steering column in the junk yard that I am happy with.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Texas
The problem with the Windstar wheels is the offset, isn't it a front wheel drive? A friend is also doing his 56 panel, and he found a set of rims for a front drive car, to make up for the Aerostar being wider, and the offset was to much, the tires hit the upper a-arm. With the hood on and the finders kinda in place the 14's from the Aerostar are deep in the finders. The opening on the front finders of the 56 are 34" and I set the spindle in the middle at dead on 17". I found these 15", and are going to have the tires mounted today and see how they look, you never know till you mount them and the finders are on how their going to look. This has been a challange, and I'm almost there.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Texas
I'M DONE!!! I've finally finished and it works GREAT. Only one suggestion though, don't cut more then one coil to lower it. I cut a coil and a third and it looked great but rode like old. I had to get another set of coils from the junkyard, anyway, it handles like a dream! And the 4" back space on the 15's work good, plenty of room for a little bigger tire, I'm running a P225 70R 15. I expected the tires to stick alittle out of the finders, but their perfect. I could probly go another inch wider on the width to the outside. 40 hours HA HA!!!! More like 64! I worked, thats right, 64 hours on it, by myself. But it was worth every minute of it. I already had power breaks on it, but no perportion valve. To put it on it's really close to the exhaust so I need to rap the exhaust with header insolation to keep the heat off it. Classic Trucks (this months I think) has a article on plumbing your breaks, it has all apps. Oh, the Hooker Headers work perfect also.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Texas
Are you talking about stock manifolds, headers? It's the same for the left side, yes. As for the right side....? You could get a set to work with a little modification to the stearing link. It's possible. The way the rack is layed back is the trick. You have to use the rear sump oil pan and your carefull with getting the motor centered in the frame you should have no problem. My motor sets a little to the drivers side of the truck (it's the way the tubular cross member was) and it would be a little tight. What motor are you going with?
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
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Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
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From: Texas
I don't know I found the at the junkyard in a pile of wheels. They are 15 x 7's and they don't have the **** on the inner ring to hold a small cap over the lug nuts (if you can picture what I'm talking about). They would make a good steelie if it wasn't for that. I did find out that almost all of the LTD's, Linclon's will fit, as long as they have about a 4 to 4 1/2 in back space, and rear wheel drive. I looked at a set of Mark VIII wheels but the 16's would look funny with 15's on the back. Hope this helps.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Yes they are loose, and the lugs do locate them. I think the ones I have are off a LTD. I'm trying to find a set of 15" slots to match the rear, but they'er hard to find. I've found only one pair and one of them was cracked.....it starts at 125.00 for repairs. There are tons of 14" but 15X7X5 on 4 1/2 are rare. That my luck.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
Scott,
I wonder if police package rims would do the trick. They look wider and the little caps on body painted rims might look real good. I want to do body coloured steelies anyway and I was thinking that Stockton or Wheel Vintique was my only recourse but this gives me fresh ideas. Thanks
Regards, John
I wonder if police package rims would do the trick. They look wider and the little caps on body painted rims might look real good. I want to do body coloured steelies anyway and I was thinking that Stockton or Wheel Vintique was my only recourse but this gives me fresh ideas. Thanks
Regards, John
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
From: San Jose, CA
Mine is installed but I haven't hooked up a steering column to the rack and pinion. I am still looking for a steering column to install.
I also customized an oilpan for my diesel engine and after doing all the work and getting it installed have decided that it won't hold enough oil compared to the original capacity. So, before even turning the key I think I am going to remove the oil pan and expand it sideways a bit to increase the capacity.
Question for you Scott, how much space do you have between the A-arm and the factory bump stops?
I also customized an oilpan for my diesel engine and after doing all the work and getting it installed have decided that it won't hold enough oil compared to the original capacity. So, before even turning the key I think I am going to remove the oil pan and expand it sideways a bit to increase the capacity.
Question for you Scott, how much space do you have between the A-arm and the factory bump stops?