Aerostar swap

69supercj · Post by **69supercj** » September 24, 2010, 8:10 pm

Been reading that the aerostar is a good candidate for a front end swap into a slick. Is this just the crossmember or is the aerostar a full frame? Also, what years are best and will the windstars work as well?

61 Merc · Post by **61 Merc** » September 24, 2010, 8:27 pm

It is just the crossmember and components. There are a few of them done, but I haven't seen any on the road. There is some welding and alterations that need to take place for the install. Have you considered the 03 and newer Crown Vic front end? It looks actually easier and needs less modifications than the Aerostar.

Dean

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » September 24, 2010, 10:00 pm

i friend just bought an 03 cv front end complete for under 250. there is another one there and he is thinking about getting it just to get it. that is complete-everything included. if i still had my 66 project i would buy one.

Gritsngumbo · Post by **Gritsngumbo** » September 24, 2010, 10:19 pm

ezernut9mm wrote:i friend just bought an 03 cv front end complete for under 250. there is another one there and he is thinking about getting it just to get it. that is complete-everything included. if i still had my 66 project i would buy one.

If he's going to resale it, any idea what he will want for it? (sorry for the hi-jack)

ezernut9mm · Post by **ezernut9mm** » September 24, 2010, 10:37 pm

i'll find out for you gerald.

matt2491 · Post by **matt2491** » September 24, 2010, 10:54 pm

I'm going with the Jag IFS. It is a really nice suspension. Durable, modern, compact.

I have a BIG write up on the swap coming up for you guys.

FORDBOYpete · Post by **FORDBOYpete** » September 24, 2010, 11:00 pm

Aerostar and Windstar are incompatable vehicles, only the Manufacturer is the same for both. The front end on a Windstar is a front wheel dirve.

years of Mfgr are:
1985 -1997 2Wd & 1991-1997 AWD 4.0

Front end on 2wd Aerostar is a light duty unit with teeny tiny front hub & rotor combinations that hardly stop an Aerostar, don't last very long and are pricey to replace. I would be antsy stopping 3500 -4000 lb truck with them in perfect working order if I really needed to stop it.
The AWD Front End is beefier, but you got hassles with front wheel drive axles & all that. You can buy beefier suspension for AWD Aeros & brakes are approx 30% bigger than 2Wd version. Also AWD uses independent hubs & rotors. A Rotor is 1/2 the price of 2Wd hub & rotor combination.

Both have rather light duty R&P set ups, okay for an Aerostar I s'pose. But I personally would not choose a light duty rack like it on an F-100. I have An Aerostar, in fact I have had a couple. It's not a slick nor is it as durable as a slick. I know people use them, but I also know people drive GM's and I don't think much of anything they make so. . .

For my $.02 I'd say go for a good quality disk brake conversion set up & do it right 1st time or get a Slick that already has ability to bolt real PDB's on it from the start. That would be 1965 -72, or get a 73-79 frame & mount the body you have on it. It's really worth the effort IMHO.

FBp

Truckfarmer2 · Post by **Truckfarmer2** » September 25, 2010, 10:12 pm

I have done a couple Aerostar swaps and would do another. The minivan was made to haul 7 passengers and cargo. The advantages of Aerostar (and Jag) are that the frame does not need modified. The problem is that they quit making them 13 years ago. Most were junked for weak air conditioners and/or the bodies rusted off.