1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

aerostar mock-up

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  #1  
Old 05-19-2003 | 06:33 AM
ratthell52's Avatar
ratthell52
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up

Hi again guy's,
I hope you folks had a fine time at PF last weekend, I'll try to make it next year for sure.
Last week, I got my 51 stripped to the bare frame, and cleaned up the aerostar crossmember. The springs on both sides were broken off in exactly the same place; 1 coil on the bottom. I trimmed them both off 1&1/2 coil.
After mocking- up under the truck the frame is 2" closer to the ground, not down where I want it yet. I haveen't decided whether to notch the frame or the crossmember to get more at this point.
Before I start to cut I have to know if I should set it up with the stock axle center or should I move it ahead 1 1/2" like on a 53-56 install?
All sugestion will be appreciated and considered. I really only plan to do this once!
 
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Old 05-19-2003 | 07:24 AM
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GreatNorthWoods
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
aerostar mock-up

Randy,

Set it up using the stock axle centerline. Moving the axle centerline forward applies only the the 53-56 trucks.
 
  #3  
Old 05-19-2003 | 08:08 AM
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up

Thank's Vern,
can I assume the stock axle centerlinr is the bolthole where the rubber bumpstop mounts on the frame?
 
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Old 05-20-2003 | 07:08 AM
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GreatNorthWoods
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aerostar mock-up

Randy,

That's where I found the centerline to be on my 48 F-3. There are two holes side by side in the frame there where the bump stop is and it looks like the cut (for my Chrysler T-bar) will go right through the center of those two holes.
 
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Old 05-20-2003 | 10:07 AM
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aerostar mock-up

not to put a kink in the works but do you realize how wide the Aerostar is? It would require offset wheels on a 53-56. The offset would be greater on a F1.
If your frame is lower without an engine in it, I wonder where it will set after all the weight is on.
 
  #6  
Old 05-20-2003 | 08:04 PM
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Thumbs up aerostar mock-up

The bumpstop holes should be good enough to use for the centerline when you are doing your mockup and for locateing where to make your notch, if your are going that route. Before you do the final weld I would locate the rear centerline and then measure diagonally to be sure you are square with the frame. It will be very difficult to aline the wheels if you are not. Truckfarmer is right about the width, the Aerostar is about 1" wider that a 56, I don't know how much wider that a pre53. Check
my gallery for pics of an install on a 56. I notched my frame 2" and my front frame rail is 6" lower than it was with the stock springs. I don't have an engine installed yet so I can't say what the final height will be.
 
  #7  
Old 05-21-2003 | 07:19 AM
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up

The bottom of the rails were 17" off the floor without an engine or trans installed;I have a 351w/C6 combo. The crossmember was free for the taking and the 2" drop is with the original 14" tires and 1 1/2 coil removed. This project is not etched in stone yet so when I get some help this weekend we can set the front clip back on to check the width.
 
  #8  
Old 05-21-2003 | 07:38 AM
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
aerostar mock-up

Randy,

I had some anxiety about the width of the Chrysler T-bar suspension into my 48 F-3 also since it is two inches narrower than the 53-56, but as I progress I find the width not a problem. The truck had 245-85/R16 tires on it and 6.5 inch wide 8-lug wheels on it which measured 68 inches outside to outside the front rubber. The Chrysler suspension with stock 15x7 15 inch wheels and 225-75/R15 tires mounted is only 69 inches outside to outside, or only 1/2 inch wider on each side. Even if the Aerostar is an inch wider than the 53-56 axle, you should be able to accomodate the extra width especially if you use 14 inch tires and wheels.
 
  #9  
Old 05-21-2003 | 05:44 PM
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aerostar mock-up

Vern is probably right. You could probably work through this OK. I would do it with rim offset though. 14 inchers look absolutely lost in these giant wheel wells.
 
  #10  
Old 05-21-2003 | 05:48 PM
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aerostar mock-up

He could put some dually wheels on it. It should have enough back spacing. But then to find 16" wheels with the 4 1/2 pattern.
 
  #11  
Old 05-21-2003 | 08:49 PM
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aerostar mock-up

Hi there, One thing to watch for with backspacing wheels on an Aerostar is the tall arm on the spindle were it meets the upper controlarm. Mine has stock 15x7 rims and there is only about 1 1/2" clearance between the mount and the tire.
Ozzie
 
  #12  
Old 05-21-2003 | 09:31 PM
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aerostar mock-up

Ozzie or Truckfarmer. Perhaps I misunderstood the problem. Is the Aerostar too wide or too narrow? If it's wider than an F100, it sounds like the inability to backspace your wheels could be a real issue on the F1.
 
  #13  
Old 05-22-2003 | 12:17 AM
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aerostar mock-up

The Aerostar is wider. As long as you know that going into it, you can plan for wheels. There was a F1 at PF that had new Mustang Bullitt wheels on it. They have a lot of backspacing. In fact, they almost look like front wheel drive wheels. But they sure looked sweet on that truck.
 
  #14  
Old 05-22-2003 | 03:39 AM
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From: ishpeming usa
aerostar mock-up

I wont have a lot of cash tied up in this even after a rebuild,so new rims will be affordable;I'm using the 14" right now because they were on the vehicle when I torched the front of the frame. I'll go down today to look for some 15's with hard tires on them. My cousins have a small junkyard just 12miles down the road so I'll just borrow some!
 
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