Aerostar 4X4

[Rulebreaker]

....

that steering link looks a bit sketchy.

Good enough to roll it in and out of the garage. I want to taper the knuckles from the top down and put a stock tie rod across and then find a drag link the right length to bolt to it, or maybe I'll get lucky and the explorer one will be the right length. RB

 

[rickcdewitt]

here you will see that an 83-86 8.8 is $40 cheaper than a 87 & newer. Anyone know why? Thanks RB

the cross pin is smaller on the early 8.8 and it won't interchange.

 

[Rulebreaker]

the cross pin is smaller on the early 8.8 and it won't interchange.

I emailed them and it's $40 cheaper because they are overstocked. RB

 

[Hardwareman]

Man, that thing is going to look awesome when it's done!

Don't worry about the negative comments as we all know this is a trial and error project and if something won't work you'll find out soon enough and make the necessary repairs.

At least you're being very consistent on it. It WILL pay off in the end......believe me! Keep the posts coming. I can't believe I have'nt seen this thread before.



Allen

 

[metalmacguyver]

ok as long as that isnt even remotely permanent. i like this project and i am glad to hear that. you said its supposed to be a family wheeler but that would be a serious safety compromise.

everything else is looking good!


edit: i realize what i posted earlier came off as a negative comment. i am sorry about that. i will say it again, i really like this project and only mean to provide positive feedback and constructive critisism.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

 

[Rulebreaker]

Man, that thing is going to look awesome when it's done!

Don't worry about the negative comments as we all know this is a trial and error project and if something won't work you'll find out soon enough and make the necessary repairs.

At least you're being very consistent on it. It WILL pay off in the end......believe me! Keep the posts coming. I can't believe I have'nt seen this thread before.



Allen

Thanks! I hope to have the doubler in it tomorrow with working shifters. I also hope to order a pair of these

tomorrow. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

ok as long as that isnt even remotely permanent. i like this project and i am glad to hear that. you said its supposed to be a family wheeler but that would be a serious safety compromise.

everything else is looking good!


edit: i realize what i posted earlier came off as a negative comment. i am sorry about that. i will say it again, i really like this project and only mean to provide positive feedback and constructive critisism.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

Constructive criticism leads to improvement. It's been a real pain in the but taking it in and out of the garage without steering so i'm glad to have it steerable. I'll deal with the steering when it comes time to do an alignment. I was looking and a 79 tie rod is only like $70 but that wont work unless I put it on top of the knuckles because the drag link and track bar need to be at the same angle. Thats why I stacked the attachment point so I'll know if it has bump steer. RB

 

[metalmacguyver]

Constructive criticism leads to improvement. It's been a real pain in the but taking it in and out of the garage without steering so i'm glad to have it steerable. I'll deal with the steering when it comes time to do an alignment. I was looking and a 79 tie rod is only like $70 but that wont work unless I put it on top of the knuckles because the drag link and track bar need to be at the same angle. Thats why I stacked the attachment point so I'll know if it has bump steer. RB

 

[Black'03LevelII]

Once this ridiculously awesome build is done Ijust might have to drive my silly self up to MI to see this thing in person!!

 

[Rulebreaker]

Once this ridiculously awesome build is done Ijust might have to drive my silly self up to MI to see this thing in person!!

One of the plant managers at Ford wants to see it too so i might be driving it down to Detroit. They want to put it on the internal ford web site. RB

 

[rickcdewitt]

the aussie may be overstocked but a guy on pirate is selling an early 8.8 version new in box because he said it won't work since the cross pin is smaller.he may be wrong if so it would be a good deal-150$
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=632712&highlight=aussie+8.8

 

[Rulebreaker]

the aussie may be overstocked but a guy on pirate is selling an early 8.8 version new in box because he said it won't work since the cross pin is smaller.he may be wrong if so it would be a good deal-150$
http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/showthread.php?t=632712&highlight=aussie+8.8

You were right when you said the pin sizes are different, The price difference is not because of the pin but because of an overstock. Mine is the later 8.8, but thanks for thinking of me. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

The doubler is in but i have to fix one issue.

Gas tank clearance.

When I built the crossmember the Ranger half of it is closer to the DS frame rail than it would normally be because the Aero is wider than the Ranger, and because of this it doesn't clear the front drive shaft. I'll have to redesign my crossmember.

Here is a pic of the shifters. The one by the tranny shifter is the doubler shifter the Ebrake hole is now the Tcase shifter.

It looks like a B2 front shaft might work. Also anyone know the flange to flange distance for a 4 door Explorer rear drive shaft? I'm at 58 3/8 but i can move the rear axle a little if it would be close. RB

 

[rickcdewitt]

just out of curiousity what route did you go building the doubler?

 

[Rulebreaker]

just out of curiousity what route did you go building the doubler?

I used Todd's writeup, but my shaft broke so I did my shaft a little different the second time. RB