Aerostar 4X4

[hairyboxnoogle]

Convert your side door to suicide or Lambo style! lol, that would work. This thing is awesome.

 

[Rulebreaker]

Convert your side door to suicide or Lambo style! lol, that would work. This thing is awesome.

I've got 100 idea's on how to do the door but it will be the last thing I do. I was thinking i would flip the top half up and the bottom half down and put steps on the inside of the bottom half but who know's what I'll actually do. RB

 

[ZMan]

Convert your side door to suicide or Lambo style! lol, that would work. This thing is awesome.

bahh best ones I could find..

people need to lay off the resize button!
heres a few more..
http://www.goezcustoms.com/feature_images/goez_feature3.html

 

[samsonitesamsonite]

I don't know whats wierder that fact that someone thought about suicide doors on a mini, or the fact someone did it...

 

[ZMan]

I don't know whats wierder that fact that someone thought about suicide doors on a mini, or the fact someone did it...

I've always wanted to customize an Aerostar, but they are probably the worst vehicle ford made when it comes to rust prevention, meaning they are impossible to find in good shape in this area...mine would have been custom but all of the panels were crap except for the fiberglass hood and hatch, and somehow the fenders were still perfect.

 

[AllanD]

An aerostar is a LOT lighter than you think it is... even the 4.0AWD model only runs about 3500lb

That being said I see from the PICS that you used a TK-4 trans?

I like the leaf springs, but I'd have boxed about a 1foot section of
the subframe rails where you attach the shackles to the unit body.

I like the whole idea, but when I thought about doing something similar
I was thinking of using a Gen2 explorer frame (sectioned appropriatly)

I like the whole idea, but the TK4? that's just f'in nuts.

AD

 

[ZMan]

An aerostar is a LOT lighter than you think it is... even the 4.0AWD model only runs about 3500lb

That being said I see from the PICS that you used a TK-4 trans?

I like the leaf springs, but I'd have boxed about a 1foot section of
the subframe rails where you attach the shackles to the unit body.

I like the while Idea, but when I thought about doing something similar
I was thinking of using a Gen2 explorer frame (sectioned appropriatly)

I like the whole idea, but the TK4? that's just f'in nuts.

AD

ya theres not too much to them. When I was stripping the interior in mine to get it ready for the radio hammer smash promotion thing, I realized they have very little crash protection...all they've got is the exterior sheetmetal, theres nothing on the inside!

 

[Rulebreaker]

I like the whole idea, but the TK4? that's just f'in nuts.

AD

I've got a C5 if it doesn't work. It's only like an hour job to change it so i don't see it as a big deal. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

ya theres not too much to them. When I was stripping the interior in mine to get it ready for the radio hammer smash promotion thing, I realized they have very little crash protection...all they've got is the exterior sheetmetal, theres nothing on the inside!

Have you ever looked at a Saturn? If you get hit from the side the only thing protecting you is a plastic door panel and a steel bar that two guys can bend by hand. I know as i bent one back for a lady who hit a mail box and then her window wouldn't roll up because the bar was bent. By looking at the car there was no visible damage. I'd ride in an aerostar and feel safe before I'd sit in a parked SL1. RB

 

[Joe_Roofer]

Hey Rulebreaker,
your living up to your name with this project, I like it.
Theres a guy out here trying to sell a '97 4.0 with 80K
AWD, needs a wheel bearing and some rocker panel work
on drivers side for $799. I don't know much about these
vans, sound like a good deal? I think so...

 

[Loanranger]

So hows this project of yours coming along? Any recent pics?

 

[Rulebreaker]

Hey Rulebreaker,
your living up to your name with this project, I like it.
Theres a guy out here trying to sell a '97 4.0 with 80K
AWD, needs a wheel bearing and some rocker panel work
on drivers side for $799. I don't know much about these
vans, sound like a good deal? I think so...

That sounds like a good deal. The tranny is the weak spot on these just like the Ranger&Explorer. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

So hows this project of yours coming along? Any recent pics?

It's been on hold as I've painted my wife's van, and put new fenders,doors,&bed on my truck plus given it a paint job. I'm pulling the tranny out of my truck and then I'll get back at the Aerostar. Once I get the front axle for the van it wont take me long to finish it. RB

 

[ZMan]

Have you ever looked at a Saturn? If you get hit from the side the only thing protecting you is a plastic door panel and a steel bar that two guys can bend by hand. I know as i bent one back for a lady who hit a mail box and then her window wouldn't roll up because the bar was bent. By looking at the car there was no visible damage. I'd ride in an aerostar and feel safe before I'd sit in a parked SL1. RB

meh I'd drive them both without hesitation. I've seen enough t-boned saturns to know they actually hold up.

 

[badblue]

I work at a scrap yard and vans are the strongest of all as far a crushing and smashing them But all are distoid. Have not had one that can with stand the shedder.