did the aerostar van have a 7.5 rear end or the 8.8 i was thinking of putting the rear end under my 58 f-100

 

They came with both. Does your 58 F100 have leaf springs in the back? If so, you should probably look for a 8.8" or 9" rear end from a truck. The Aero uses coil springs, so will not have the leaf spring mounting pads. Also, the truck rear ends are more likely to come with the stronger 31 spline axle shafts, whereas I am almost certain that the Aero rear ends come with the 28 spline shafts, more appropriate for lighter duty use.

 

There are brakets on aero rear axe. you can cut them and weld leafsprings mounts. do not use "solid welding" weld point by point else you can overheat axe. Seals may fail.

Measure carfully and weld accuratly.

 

yea im familiar with the brackets ill have to remove but this truck will just be a cruiser and not a work truck at all so i thought if it was a 8.8 ill go with it since the brake system is more modern and the wheel bolt pattern will be the same as the front ,that is if i decide to use the aerostar front end

 

People say about low load capasity of stock dana axe, but I used to haul abou 1300-1500 kg. The only thing I did - new SKF bearings that may haul a lot. Yeah, tires overheats and may blow, but axe is ok!











So be sure, dana axe load capacity is more then enought!!


I'm not alone! Look how much Moskvich may haul and tow!


Where police look?????

 

 

If I were to do that kind of work on an axle, I would probably replace the seals, so I would not care about ovearheating them. What I WOULD worry about is too much heat warping the axle tubes. This is why you should stitch weld, preferably with MIG or TIG. (I made a real mess with flux core wires.) The best procedure is if you could re-align the axle tubes after the welding; you can be most assured that you do not put uneven loads onto the bearings or shafts.

I'm sure Dana axle is plenty strong, but I think most of us have the Ford 7.5" or 8.8" axles with the 28 spline shafts; not the strongest combinations.

 

A Ranger or Explorer 8.8 axle might be better. Already set up for leafs, and some Ranger 8.8 have 31 splines. Most all Explorer axles have 31 splines, but have the springs under the axle. Same bolt pattern as Aerostar. '95 up Explorer should have disc brakes. Aerostar 8.8 axles aren't too common, mostly 4.0l 2wd only. AWD had 7.5 axles.

 

well reason i may go with the aerostar 8.8 is because its free