Ford Aerostar

ford
	Ford Aerostar (1993)
Aerostar
Production period:	1985-1997
Class :	Van
Body versions :	Station wagon
Engines:	; Gasoline engines : 2.3-4.0 liters ; (74-114 kW)
Length:	4442-4834 mm
Width:	1821-1828 mm
Height:	1834-1880 mm
Wheelbase :	3023 mm
Empty weight :

The Ford Aerostar was the first Van of Ford and was introduced in the summer 1985th

The Aerostar was unique in its time as it combined the rear-wheel drive and traction capabilities of a delivery van like the Chevrolet Astro or GMC Safari with the ease of use of a car like the Dodge Caravan or Plymouth Voyager . The Aerostar is often referred to as a "midivan" because it is larger than Chrysler's "minivans" but smaller than what the US calls "vans". Like the Chrysler vans, the Aerostar was also delivered to Europe in small numbers, so its rear license plate holder is designed for the larger European license plates.

At the end of 1997 the production of the Aerostar was stopped. It was replaced by the Windstar , which had been manufactured in parallel since the beginning of 1995. By the end of production, over 100,000 Aerostars had been sold annually, more than GM's competitor since 1990, making Ford the second largest minivan manufacturer during this period. The Aerostar was at the Ford plant in St. Louis ( Missouri built), in which the Ford Explorer , the Mercury Mountaineer and Lincoln Aviator emerged. Today this plant is closed.

The Aerostar was voted Truck of the Year 1990 by Motortrend magazine .

Unlike the front-wheel drive Chrysler minivans, the Aerostar was designed with rear-wheel drive. Although this took up more space in the interior (the floor was higher), it predestined the Aerostar as a towing vehicle and improved the driving characteristics when loaded.

The Aerostar also differed from other minivans of its time because it was not built on a car or truck floor pan. The official name of the Aerostar floor pan is VN1, the first Ford floor pan to be designated with letters (as opposed to "Fox" or "Panther"). This construction was developed because the engineers at Ford's delivery truck plant were not used to the monocoque constructions from car construction and felt uncomfortable with it. So they drew a monocoque variant with frame supports for the Aerostar, similar to what was the case with GM's G-series vans and the second generation of the Jeep Cherokee , as well as with today's Honda Ridgeline. The aerodynamic styling with the sloping nose was similar to the Ford Taurus , which was also introduced in 1986. An early commercial compared the side view of the Aerostar with the space shuttle . Most of the time, however, the Aerostar was marketed as part of the Ford delivery van program.

mechanical construction

Early models were equipped with Ford's 2.3 liter “Lima” four-cylinder in-line engine and seemed underpowered because of the only 100 HP (74 kW). The 2.8 l V6 engine from Ford Cologne with 115 hp (92 kW) was originally available as an option. From 1988 both machines were no longer offered. From this time on there was either the 3.0 l “Vulcan” V6 with 145 PS (107 kW) of the Taurus and Ranger or from 1990 also the 4.0 l V6 from Ford Cologne with 155 PS (114 kW) the Explorer and Ranger. The 4.0L quickly overtook the 3.0L Vulcan.

Since the Aerostar had delivery truck parts (brake drums, axle suspensions, wheels etc. were all interchangeable with the Ranger , the Bronco II and the Explorer ), almost all drive parts of the delivery truck series were available on request. Many Aerostars were fitted with 15 "or 16" wheels from an Explorer or Ranger.

A notable difference, however, was that the Aerostar had a drive axle suspension with three links on coil springs like the Crown Victoria or the Mustang . There were two different five-speed manual transmissions, both from the Ford and Mazda van ranges . The first Mazda gearbox installed was called the TK-5. Later came the Mazda M5OD-R1, designed by Ford but built by Mazda. While it looked similar to the Ford F-Series M5OD-R2 and the Ford Bronco , it was not interchangeable.

The Aerostar with all-wheel drive (E-4WD)

This was intended for customers who wanted more traction than rear-wheel drive could offer. From 1990 to 1997 there was electronically controlled all-wheel drive on the XLT and Eddie Bauer models. This system differed from the all-wheel drive systems of other Ford vehicles in that when the rear wheels spin, it automatically engages the front-wheel drive without any action on the part of the driver. The difference was made by the Dana TC28 central differential , which with its electronically controlled clutch provided real drive for all four wheels.

All E-4WD Aerostars had the 4.0-liter V6 engine from Ford Cologne with 160 hp (118 kW). The Aerostar was available either with the aforementioned five-speed gearbox (until 1995) or with the A4LD four- speed automatic transmission . From 1996 the four-speed automatic transmission was available for the 3.0-l engine 4R44R and the 4.0-l engine 5R55E , which replaced the previous model. From 1997 the 5R55E was standard.

Aerostar (1985-1988)

1985

Ford Aerostar (1985-1988)

The Ford Aerostar is introduced as a basic delivery van, XL basic van and XLT deluxe van with just one body shape.

1988

In 1988 there were various simplifications: The four-cylinder engine was eliminated and the V6 from Cologne was replaced by the 3.0 l V6 from the Taurus, which reduced fuel consumption. The equipment of the XLT model is simplified by eliminating the two-tone paintwork and changing the chrome equipment (see below).

Since all Aerostars now have the Vulcan V6, the V6 logo on the front indicators is no longer applicable.
The Aerostar logo moves from the front fenders to the left side of the tailgate; Depending on the equipment, the logo has a red or gray background.

The Eddie Bauer is introduced as the top model . It has most of the equipment details of the XLT version (mostly as basic equipment), but special exterior equipment. There is again a two-tone paint job, but instead of the sides of the vehicle, only the sills and wheel arches are painted beige. 14 ″ aluminum wheels are part of the basic equipment of the Eddie Bauer , but they are also available on request on the XLT . Individual rear seats are now available on request for the Eddie Bauer and the XLT .

Aerostar (1989-1991)

1989

Ford Aerostar (1989-1991)

The exterior of the car has been slightly revised ("Generation 1.5"). The radiator grille no longer shows a honeycomb pattern, but is dark gray with three openings.

New hub caps distinguish the Aerostar from the Ranger and Bronco II. One of the two types is similar to that of the Tempo , the other (5 triangular openings with wide spokes) is reserved for the Aerostar.
The extended Aerostar is delivered as a delivery van and van. The new version, 356 mm longer behind the third row of seats, does not have its own name.

1990

This year, the Aerostar took over the equipment details of the Astro and the Safari, which means that Ford no longer takes third, but second place behind Chrysler. There are only changes under the bonnet: the V6 from Cologne is returning as a 4.0 liter version. The all-wheel drive version E-4WD - the first from an American van manufacturer - is introduced.

Aerostar (1992-1997)

Ford Aerostar (1992-1997)

1992

The Aerostar is getting a little facelift . Inside he gets a driver airbag .

Exterior fittings

Although there are no changes to the sheet metal, the Aerostar looks completely different from the front, especially when compared to the 1986 model. As a reminder of the “Aero” part of the name, the old sealed beam headlights have been replaced by modern clear-glass headlights that are used on all Ford models. The color of the direction indicators changes from yellow to white to match the new headlights. The grille is also changed again; the Ford logo moves from the middle to the upper third. This happens because of the same appearance of the Econoline, which was also renovated, and the Explorer, which was new at the time . The small windows on the A-pillars are being blackened more to make them look a little smaller.

The two-tone paintwork is also being reintroduced as an option for the XLT , but in contrast to the Eddie Bauer version, the second color is not beige, but silver.
The bumpers are painted in the same color as the vehicle when they are painted two-tone, while they remain gray when painted in one color. Plastic hub caps are introduced.

Interior

To meet the safety requirements, Ford introduced an SRS driver airbag in 1992. At the same time, major changes to the switches and controls, e.g. B. for the air conditioning, windshield wipers and lighting, made to match the elements of other Ford models. The automatic selector lever moves from the center of the vehicle to the steering column, but the handbrake lever remains - as with all Ford minivans - in the center. The radio remains the same, but its control panel no longer corresponds to that of the Ranger, but that of the Taurus. The Eddie Bauer models can be fitted with leather on request.

1993-1996

In 1993 a child seat can also be ordered on request.
1994 was supposed to be the last model year, so there are no changes.
In 1995 a central brake light was added to the tailgate. Even single-color vans now have bumpers in the body color.
In 1996 there are no changes. It's the final year for all models except the XLT model.

1997

1997 will actually be the last year for the Aerostar. In addition to the delivery van, there is now only the XLT , as a basic and a deluxe model. A five-speed automatic transmission - the first in a minivan - is now installed together with the 4.0 l V6 engine.

The rear turn signal lights are no longer yellow, but red. These special taillights are also often used on earlier models. To do this, an additional hole must be drilled for the indicators.
There are seven-hole rims in the dimension 14 ″ × 6 ″.

Models and equipment lines

Aerostar delivery van (1985–1997)

The van did not sell as well as the van as the Aerostar's intermediate size made it drop off when compared to GM's Astro and Safari vans. The main difference between the van and the van was its two-part rear door, opposite the rear hatch of the van. The delivery van was not exported and therefore did not have the larger number plate image of the van. Although it was easier to drive due to its size, it was rarely converted into a van. The Transit Connect can be seen as the successor to the Aerostar delivery van.

XL (1985-1996)

The XL was the basic equipment for the Aerostar van. It was also the most frequently ordered of all equipment lines. Most of the equipment details of the XLT were available on request for the XL, so not all XL models are simply equipped. Some details, such as the all-wheel drive E-4WD, the single rear seats and the rear air conditioning were only available on the XLT. The 4.0 l V6 engine in the XL was also only available in the long version.

XLT (1985-1997)

The XLT model was the upscale equipment of the Aerostar. Equipment details such as electric windows, electrically adjustable exterior mirrors and central locking were standard, as were tinted windows, rear window wipers, heated rear window, automatic transmission and ABS (only on the rear wheels). There were also radio controls at the rear (switches for the rear speakers, two sockets for headphones) and 6 stereo speakers, with a 7-band equalizer on request. For a surcharge there were single rear seats, a foldable third row of seats (from mid-1989), digital displays with a rev counter, a trip computer, a self-dimming interior mirror and foldable armrests with cup holders on the rear seats. Cup holders were optional equipment until 1992, but there were six ashtrays and two cigarette lighters as standard.

Eddie Bauer (1988–1996)

Ford Aerostar Eddie Bauer (1989)

The Aerostar was one of the first Fords (and so far the only van) to have Eddie Bauer equipment. It combined the equipment details of the XLT version with two-tone paintwork (beige with a few contrasting main colors) and beige interior (fabric as standard, leather on request). An often overlooked detail is the ability to fold the second and third row of seats into a bed. Some Eddie Bauer vans were also equipped with individual seats in the middle.

Long version (LWF, 1989–1997)

Ford Aerostar LWB (1989-1991)

In 1989, as a response to the Chrysler Grand Voyager, Ford extended the Aerostar behind the third row of seats by approx. 356 mm as a long version, which, however, never got its own name. The wheelbase of 3,023 mm remained the same because it was already longer than that of the Lincoln Town Car . Due to its larger load volume, the sales figures for the long version soon overtook those of the normal version. Due to the higher weight of over 2 tons. The 4.0 l V6 engine was either standard (XLT, Eddie Bauer and all E-4WD versions) or a popular extra (XL).

Sports (1994–1997)

The Sport option was available for the XL and XLT equipment lines. It consisted of a two-tone paintwork (light silver below with a different light color as the main color), a front spoiler, sills with the Aerostar logo and a SPORT logo. The XL models had large wheel covers, the XLT models aluminum rims. So it was a purely optical tuning. The Vulcan V6 with 140 PS (103 kW) stays under the hood of the XL versions.

Interior

Instruments

On request, all Aerostar had digital displays; They were standard on the XLT and Eddie Bauer versions. The analog displays were the same as the digital ones, only the tachometer was missing. From 1992 onwards, all odometers were digital.

The digital odometer, which was available as an optional extra from 1986 to 1991, jumped from 199,999.9 miles back to 100,000.0 miles. In 1992 this error was corrected. Since the kilometer display also showed over 200,000.0 km, you only had to compare kilometers and miles to determine the correct distance for a used car.

Air conditioners

All XLT and Eddie Bauer versions (and most XL vehicles) had air conditioning from the factory. From 1988 the better versions also had automatic air conditioning. The windows in the second row of seats were designed as sliding windows.

Other equipment details

When the automatic center selector lever was abandoned in 1992, a center console was available on the floor as an option. It had two small cup holders and a coin dispenser (previously in the glove compartment). The trip computer attached to the top center did not have a thermometer or compass like Chrysler's, but it calculated the daily distance (in addition to the odometer), the fuel consumption (total and instantaneous), the remaining distance to the empty tank and the average speed . Its two map reading lights were available in addition to the two already included in the XLT version. Another feature is the six ashtrays and two cigarette lighters in the early Aerostar models; apparently special thought was given to the smokers.

Setting the Aerostar

The Windstar was de facto the successor to the Aerostar, but was marketed as a car and not as a delivery van. The last Aerostar was sold on March 17, 1997 after the model range ran parallel to the Windstar for three years.

In 1989 the Aerostar overtook GM in sales and took second place in the minivan segment. Chrysler's minivan concept, however, had a major impact on later minivans, so these were all made with front-wheel drive. Ford could not ignore the trend either and planned to introduce the 1995 Windstar in 1994. The Aerostar was originally supposed to be discontinued in 1994. After the plans became known, the Ford headquarters in Dearborn was showered with letters from customers and salespeople demanding that the Aerostar be continued. Ford gave in and announced that the Aerostar and the Windstar would initially be offered in parallel. This gave Ford three minivans under two brands (Aerostar, Windstar, Villager), as opposed to Chrysler who had a minivan for three brands (Voyager, Caravan, Town & Country).

The replacement of the Bronco II by the Explorer in 1991 proved so successful that Ford soon had the best-selling compact SUV in the USA in its range. The Explorer took customers from the Aerostar that the Aerostar had taken from the Country Squire a decade earlier.

The Aerostar and Explorer were both manufactured in the now-closed St. Louis facility . In 1996, Ford announced that 1997 would be the final year for the Aerostar. The outcry from customers was not as strong as it was in 1994, as the minivans had lost their overall popularity.

The special features of the Aerostar

Like the other groundbreaking models from 1986, the Aerostar influenced the design of many of its competing products, even today.

The Aerostar was the first series-produced minivan to offer all-wheel drive from 1990. This is continued in today's cross-over models.
The Aerostar was the first minivan to offer only six-cylinder engines (the four-cylinder was discontinued in 1997).
The Aerostar Eddie Bauer was the first luxury minivan. It was introduced in 1988; the Chrysler Town and Country didn't come as a minivan until 1990.
The Aerostar's sliding windows in the second row of seats were unparalleled in the US.
The 5R55E automatic, introduced in 1997, was the first five-speed automatic in a minivan.

Prototypes

In 1985 the two concept vehicles Ghia Aerovan and Concept Ford Aerostar were shown.

In 1987, a roadworthy prototype with a 3.0-liter V6 engine and 162 hp, air suspension and numerous electronic equipment details was presented under the name HFX Ghia Aerostar .

Web links

Commons : Ford Aerostar - Collection of pictures, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

[1] Truck of the Year Winners (English)

[2] Pictures of the odometer