1989 won't start
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
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From: Southern California
I have both the 2WD and the AWD version of the older vans ('93 2WD and '95 AWD). There isn't really much of a difference in the handling characteristic. I live in Southern California where AWD is not really necessary, but I do go camping a lot so it helps there.
With the exception of the front suspension, which is a little harder to work on, the rest is pretty much the same maintenance wise.
So if you want and need an AWD, don't be shy.
With the exception of the front suspension, which is a little harder to work on, the rest is pretty much the same maintenance wise.
So if you want and need an AWD, don't be shy.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 835
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Did they make the AWD in the shorty? or only in the extended - It's tough to find any of these vans with low mileage...
I found someone locally that will do all the rot in the body and repaint the whole thing for me for $900 - which is a really good price of course, but the thing is, do I put that $900 into a van that is maybe only worth that much, or do I save it, maybe sell this one for that, and find something newer for $2K?
I did a lot of custom stuff to my old 89 though - Sunroof, 3K dollar stereo system, alarm, etc... plus I am the original owner, and it only has 130K on it....
When do the aeros start having real problems? - I'd hate to push my luck with this... or will I be ok for another 5 years (drive it like an old lady would...)
Thanks copper
I found someone locally that will do all the rot in the body and repaint the whole thing for me for $900 - which is a really good price of course, but the thing is, do I put that $900 into a van that is maybe only worth that much, or do I save it, maybe sell this one for that, and find something newer for $2K?
I did a lot of custom stuff to my old 89 though - Sunroof, 3K dollar stereo system, alarm, etc... plus I am the original owner, and it only has 130K on it....
When do the aeros start having real problems? - I'd hate to push my luck with this... or will I be ok for another 5 years (drive it like an old lady would...)
Thanks copper
Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 4,452
Likes: 1
From: Southern California
My '93 3.0L has almost 200K miles and I have had no problem with it. However, keep in mind that I'm living in Southern Kaaaalifurnia where there is no rust problem and no harsh winter. I know ... I know ... I shouldn't rub it in but I can't help it 
You are right about the AWD being almost exclusively Extended Body. The majority of them is with a 4.0L even though I have heard rumors of some very small percentage being fitted with the 3.0L engine.
Your van with only 130K miles should last you a good while longer than you think. Even if something does go wrong, the drivetrain is extremely cheap and fairly easy to repair if you do it yourself.
Since I do take these vans on long trips (to Alaska once and maybe again this summer), I routinely pull the transmissions out and replace all the seals, bands, clutches and bearings every 150K miles or so (about $200 worth of parts), just so I don't get stranded. The other weak things on these vans are the ball joints and the front rubber bushings on the control arms and the sway bar, but they are cheap and relatively easy. Other than that, it was just routine maintenances like oil & fluid changes for me. In fact, my wife drives an Acura MDX, but I have a really uneasy feeling with that car, so we always took the Aerostars on long trips.
You are right about the AWD being almost exclusively Extended Body. The majority of them is with a 4.0L even though I have heard rumors of some very small percentage being fitted with the 3.0L engine.
Your van with only 130K miles should last you a good while longer than you think. Even if something does go wrong, the drivetrain is extremely cheap and fairly easy to repair if you do it yourself.
Since I do take these vans on long trips (to Alaska once and maybe again this summer), I routinely pull the transmissions out and replace all the seals, bands, clutches and bearings every 150K miles or so (about $200 worth of parts), just so I don't get stranded. The other weak things on these vans are the ball joints and the front rubber bushings on the control arms and the sway bar, but they are cheap and relatively easy. Other than that, it was just routine maintenances like oil & fluid changes for me. In fact, my wife drives an Acura MDX, but I have a really uneasy feeling with that car, so we always took the Aerostars on long trips.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
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Yeah, they are great Vans, and even to have the tranny dropped for an overhaul by someone else (don't think I'd do that myself) is only like $300, and the a4ld's here are like $400 - so it would still be cheaper than a new car payment.
The reason I like my van, is that there is nothing else that has the ride for the same amount of cargo space - my friends all make fun of me, but then I ask them what is bigger that rides as nice...
and, they do seem to last... I guess I will hang onto mine then, and see about keeping the body in good shape...
The rockers are all rusted... some worse than others, and bubbles around the wheels now - so... but if it would continue to be a good van, I don't mind spending the money....
Have you converted your 93 to run on 134a, or is it an R12 AC? - maybe I should ask in the aero forum - the AC is cool, but not real cold, and to have it recharged R12 would be really expensive here....
and my heater never really blows HOT air - almost, but it take the van like 1/2 an hour to get warm.... I was thinking about doing a reverse flush on the core, but I hate to open a can of worms.... I know those are a pain to do...
The reason I like my van, is that there is nothing else that has the ride for the same amount of cargo space - my friends all make fun of me, but then I ask them what is bigger that rides as nice...
and, they do seem to last... I guess I will hang onto mine then, and see about keeping the body in good shape...
The rockers are all rusted... some worse than others, and bubbles around the wheels now - so... but if it would continue to be a good van, I don't mind spending the money....
Have you converted your 93 to run on 134a, or is it an R12 AC? - maybe I should ask in the aero forum - the AC is cool, but not real cold, and to have it recharged R12 would be really expensive here....
and my heater never really blows HOT air - almost, but it take the van like 1/2 an hour to get warm.... I was thinking about doing a reverse flush on the core, but I hate to open a can of worms.... I know those are a pain to do...
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 7,018
Likes: 210
From: SoCal
Flushing the cooling system is not that bad. Since the cold season is approaching, you might want to do it soon.
Get one of those Prestone flush kits with the multiple sized T fittings and splice it into one of the heater hoses. Someone recently posted really good instructions on how to do this, but in general you use a garden hose to push water through the system. It may not be thorough, but it's better than nothing.
I have both 2wd and 4wd vans, and the biggest thing I notice in everyday driving is that the 4wd is a lot heavier, so it's more sluggish to start and stop, and it gets worse gas mileage. Like Copper, I live in SoCal, so never see any snow. However, the 2wd has an open differential, so it has a really hard time to get going when the ground is even slightly wet. But it would be my vehicle of choice when the ground is dry.
Get one of those Prestone flush kits with the multiple sized T fittings and splice it into one of the heater hoses. Someone recently posted really good instructions on how to do this, but in general you use a garden hose to push water through the system. It may not be thorough, but it's better than nothing.
I have both 2wd and 4wd vans, and the biggest thing I notice in everyday driving is that the 4wd is a lot heavier, so it's more sluggish to start and stop, and it gets worse gas mileage. Like Copper, I live in SoCal, so never see any snow. However, the 2wd has an open differential, so it has a really hard time to get going when the ground is even slightly wet. But it would be my vehicle of choice when the ground is dry.
Junior User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 96
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From: south of France
Originally Posted by mediaman67
Did they make the AWD in the shorty? or only in the extended - It's tough to find any of these vans with low mileage...
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 835
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yeah, the 2wd shorty with the 3L is already underpowered with 4 people inside and hilly - in the 2wd version - interesting thoughts from everyone...
yeah, I can tell you that the 2wd vans suck in the snow - but I'm actually used to driving it in the snow now, so it's not really that bad, unless you are on a hill, and they haven't plowed yet...
RE the flush - yeah, I was thinking of doing that, but I had replaced both heater hoses a couple of years ago with the ford ones (got the special tool, etc) and was thinking of cutting into them and splicing with a tee, but that is just one other point to fail (tee would have two clamps, and the threaded cap, all of which could leak)
I think what I would do, is to remove the hoses from the WP and the T-Stat, and just do it that way (stick a garden hose through one side, and then the other, and use slow running water...
guess I better do that soon, since it was 16 this morning.... I should flush the system again anyways, since it's been 2 years ago since I last did it, even though I don't drive it much....
I've seen those prestone kits - anyone have good luck with them? I hate to ruin a good heater hose... also - anyone know which hose I should cut to do that?
Thanks
yeah, I can tell you that the 2wd vans suck in the snow - but I'm actually used to driving it in the snow now, so it's not really that bad, unless you are on a hill, and they haven't plowed yet...
RE the flush - yeah, I was thinking of doing that, but I had replaced both heater hoses a couple of years ago with the ford ones (got the special tool, etc) and was thinking of cutting into them and splicing with a tee, but that is just one other point to fail (tee would have two clamps, and the threaded cap, all of which could leak)
I think what I would do, is to remove the hoses from the WP and the T-Stat, and just do it that way (stick a garden hose through one side, and then the other, and use slow running water...
guess I better do that soon, since it was 16 this morning.... I should flush the system again anyways, since it's been 2 years ago since I last did it, even though I don't drive it much....
I've seen those prestone kits - anyone have good luck with them? I hate to ruin a good heater hose... also - anyone know which hose I should cut to do that?
Thanks
