Well I've been shopping for the right Aerostar van for awhile now and often run into problems identifying certain features, and still have certain questions that seem to come up all the time. Was hoping you guys could set me straight so I don't waste any more time looking into vehicles that ain't what I want. Basically I'm looking for a 3.0 extended aerostar with front and rear A/C, hopefully 94 or newer. Here are the questions:

1. How can you tell if it has a 3.0 or 4.0? I know AWD models all have 4.0's, but for the 2WD it's not so simple. Everytime I call someone selling an aerostar I ask if it's a 3.0 or a 4.0 and they start scratching their heads. They pop the hood and look around and never seem to find any stickers or info hinting to motor size. Is there any easy way to derive this info over the phone? Sometimes I can get them to send me pics via email of the vehicle which might include the engine compartment, but not always. So I was hoping for some way to extract that info off of the VIN number or something like that. Some way to find out that info from a non-tech savvy owner who just knows their "car won't go" when it breaks down.

2. I want a van with the front and rear AC/heat, but often come across otherwise decent ones that are missing this feature. How difficult/expensive is it to retrofit this feature into a van that didn't come with it originally? (using either junkyard or new parts from the dealer?) More trouble than it's worth?

3. I remember they switched over from R12 freon to R134a in the early-mid 90's for AC refrigerant. What year did the aerostars switch over from R12 to the newer type of refrigerant? Are the evaporators/condensers/components mostly the same and only the refrigerant was changed, or do you have to swap out a bunch of expensive parts to switch over to R134a the right way? Also, assuming I get a newer aerostar that uses the modern refrigerant how much will it be to rebuild the whole system to like new condition?

Thanks in advance for any help.

 

The eighth digit in vin number is engine code. Only code I personally know is "U" is 3.0 engine. I had a 93 extended with 4.0 and dual heat/ac and it was R134 from the factory.

 

VIN code is the best way to know which engine it has 3.0L is U, and 4.0L is X. Anything '93 or newer should have R134a.

 

I have a late 1993 model and it has R-12. The previous owner claimed to have had it converted, but I can find no evidence of that. Think it must have been 1994 or newer that has R134a.

 

Thanks everyone. Right after I posted this message I went and looked at a 3.0 aerostar and sure enough it has a U in the VIN just like you guys indicate. Good news is that I snagged a 97 extended with 3.0 and only 28,000 miles!

 

Congtrats!

So did it have rear a/c-heat?

EDIT: WE NEED PICS!