Now that would be a great idea
Can you just imagine
"www .truthaboutvans.com"
That would be great if it was true. And they tear all the vans apart and show why the Aerostar is superior.

You know, much of the crampped engine could be relieved by makeing the van slightly wider. It wouldn't have to be much, just 2-4" could make the difference. It would also improve interior room slightly, and make the van a little more stable.

 

I only hope that if they do come outwith a new rwd van that it hasa full size removable doghouse like the big vans. I would rather eat a bug than change those 2 rear plugs.

I have done in-truck v-8 overhauls in vans with less trouble and blood.

ken1mod

 

Well, if they made another Aerostar but wider, the problem getting at the rear plugs would be resolved. If it was 4 inches wider and designed to have even 1 inch more clearance to the side of the engine, the plugs would be much easier to access.

 

what about a tip forward nose, like the old monster trucks had? the hood and fenders flip forward as one. that would maint. a breeze!

 

> Why doesn't Ford make another version of the Aerostar

When the Aerostar was discontinued, it was still selling over 100,000 units a year. It was killed because it simply did not provide enough profit margin because it was expensive to build. That, CAFE, and OBDII would have to be implemented.

 

But the Aero was OBDII in late '95, 96, & 97.

I just think they did not want the comp to the Windy.

 

Ferd is struggling financially with the drastic falloff in sales of their profit pigs, the big SUVs and pickup sales, the new Thunderbird was a total fiscal failure. They still have to pay the operational costs of these assembly plants which are NOT easily changed over to different models.
US design team have only producted one significant totally new model in last 5 years, the 500 which is not selling well, the only thing that will rescue the 500 is Hertz and the rental industry.
Ford needs to bring in some top designers and engine engineers from EU and England, Ford EU, Volvo and Jaguar division, they have great models and engine selections in both market areas. Even Ford S. Africa and Ford Australia have better selections.
The only thing that will bring back a medium duty mid size cargo and people hauler van is $5 gas, these service companies bought 100s of thousands of the Aero's and Astros. Quest still has large fleets of the Astro's on the road here in the Pacific NW but they don't buy new every 2-3 years like consumers. Not every company has a need for an E350 stretch that will carry a 2k equipment load
Ever try to take 500 lbs of equipment and tools up to a communications mountain top site with a tinny V6 Grand Caravan, body dragging in the boulders and auto tranny pucking its guts out before the summit?
Profit margin is low in cargo/utility/service vans, no $2000 leather seats
The Aero was built in a non robotic plant that Ford did NOT want to upgrade for a dieing model. The Aero had a expensive to make multi section frame system and high per unit labor costs compared to the new uniNothing vans built in 25 hour per day 366 days per year robotic plants with engines thrown together in Mexico with 10 peso per hr uneducated labor costs.