Aerostar 4X4

[Loanranger]

Right on. Good to see you working on this thing again.

 

[Duggo]

What a great project. Congrats!

 

[Rulebreaker]

This was the final mock up and everything seems to be good. I'll have the final one tomorrow made out of 1/4 inch plate. My daughter took these pic's so they are what they are. Everything is in there clutch pressure plate and pilot bearing. RB

More pic's on my webshots page. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

Yesterday I pulled the C5 and 1350 doubler out. I also installed the adapter and flywheel and clutch. I have to redo the exaust. I have to change the PS exaust manifold to an Explorer manifold and change the oil filter extention housing to an Explorer one. I've broken several bolts so it's going to slow me down at this point. I think I'll have room to build a 1356 doubler. Hopefully it can be done like my 1350. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

Got the Aerostar manifold off but the top three bolts snapped and I've welded nuts on them and heated them with no luck of removal. So I've got to get a long drill bit and drill them out so I can put a nut on the back side. I've got the NP435 up in the van and almost bolted in. I'll post some pics as soon as it's bolted up. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

 

[BlackSTX]

I've not seen someone mod a vehicle that much since the guy I had been working with salvage parts from the heavy equipment we were parting out to create a four link for a Fiero he was making into a front engined, Olds 350 powered rocket. Nice job! Looks cool.

 

[Rulebreaker]

Well after farting around with the Aerostar/ B2 home built cross member it went in the scrap metal pile and I decided to integrate it into the skid plate. So I took a small piece of the B2 cross member and integrated it to the skid plate. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

I've not seen someone mod a vehicle that much since the guy I had been working with salvage parts from the heavy equipment we were parting out to create a four link for a Fiero he was making into a front engined, Olds 350 powered rocket. Nice job! Looks cool.

One mod always leads to another. Now that I have an NP435 a 351W will want to find it's way in there. Not sure there is room but the thought process has already started. LOL RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

BW1346

Pull Slave

Linkage

 

[Loanranger]

Looking good. Might I suggest that you add a couple gussets to that trans mount though. Looks great otherwise. Post up your opinion on that pull slave too when you get it going, I'm looking at getting one for the new zuk project.

 

[Rulebreaker]

Looking good. Might I suggest that you add a couple gussets to that trans mount though. Looks great otherwise. Post up your opinion on that pull slave too when you get it going, I'm looking at getting one for the new zuk project.

You think that 1/4 plate will bend? Guess that never crossed my mind. I've got two other trucks with the pull slave. My 75 Bronco and my 94 F150 both with NP 435's. As long as you've got a good strong mount to hold it you are fine. I used 3/8 steel on the van and it's borderline. RB

 

[Loanranger]

The only reason I mentioned it is when I pulled the mount off my 435, it was twisted pretty good. Granted it has a 318 in front of it rather than a 4.0, but it was twisted pretty good. The plate is something like 3/8ths or 1/2", and bent between where it mounts to the trans and the rubber bushings. Just a couple triangles between the mount and the main part of the skid should stiffen it right up. Just my $.02. I really like the fact that you use out of the ordinary parts on your build, it's always enjoyable seeing what you've come up with.

 

[Rulebreaker]

The only reason I mentioned it is when I pulled the mount off my 435, it was twisted pretty good. Granted it has a 318 in front of it rather than a 4.0, but it was twisted pretty good. The plate is something like 3/8ths or 1/2", and bent between where it mounts to the trans and the rubber bushings. Just a couple triangles between the mount and the main part of the skid should stiffen it right up. Just my $.02. I really like the fact that you use out of the ordinary parts on your build, it's always enjoyable seeing what you've come up with.

I added a gusset so it should be good. Thanks for the tip. My use of parts is usually anything I can horse trade for. LOL. RB

 

[Rulebreaker]

I ran into a little snag. I got the drive shafts built. Got the exhaust pieced together enough to start it. But I could not put it in gear while the engine was running. So I thought it was a clutch or throw out bearing issue at first but that wasn't it. When i tried driving it, it would shake the whole drive train and make terrible noises. So I thought it was a trans issue. Talked to the guy that had the trans and he said he was sure it was good. So then i put the T case in neutral and the problem goes away. So I'm thinking the T case is junk which I took out of my 94 F150 with a bad auto trans. That would explain why the trans went bad in that truck. I've got another 1356 thats got a 1/2 million miles on it so between the two I should be able to put together a decent t case. RB