The everything Aviator thread.

[GRNMACHINE]

WOW I think I like the Bronco even better!! Great lookin Aviator and great lookin kids!!

[AviatorGuy]

Thanks fellas I appreciate the kind words.

Not many updates to speak of. I've been trying to add new pics every once and a while.

Added more of the hitch wiring and setup since many folks said that was helpful.

Also forgot to mention the new tires were too big to fit the spare under the truck so I decided to keep it inside instead. I had the option of throwing it in the basket on the roof but decided against it. I don't know how/why folks do that. First off go pick up a 32" tire on a steel wheel and I think you'll understand. My luck I'll get a flat in the rain and have to try to hoist down a 65lb spare tire off the 6' high roof. Just seems impractical. Secondly, unless you have a radical looking Jeep or serious offroader I don't think it looks too hot. Especially not practical for everyday driving. Rather then lay it down inside and give up all my space i stood it on end and ratchet strapped it down. there is a nice little hook that I think is supposed to be used for a baby seat or something. Makes a good anchor point. Check it out. Of course I do sacrifice my 3rd row seat to do this, but seriously how often do you use that???



Like the rust under the ole girl?? Welcome to the north east boys. Salt on the roads 5months out of the year...

Only other update is I finally got an alignment after the lift. Good thing I did. it was way off. Check out the results. Total Toe was out almost an inch!


O and if it looks like there are fishing poles hanging from my roof... it's cause there are fishing poles hanging from my roof.
It's that time of year again and you never know when you'll be driving by a fishing hole you just need to hit...

29.99 at cabelas
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/te...033&hasJS=true

[KZEWfreak]

Bought this 03 Aviator off eBay in '05 with 47,000...at 90,000 I suffered the bad valve issue in some of the 4 valve 4.6 engines in the Cobra SVTs, Marauders...and Aviators. The back valves were bad due to a engineering goof in the water passages...water goes in, but there was no return...heating up the back of the heads excessively, thus resulting in both heads needing to be replaced.

I said, "Screw that"...I just went with a fresh 4 valve Intech 4.6 with the "corrected" heads...I'm now good for another 100,000 miles.

But I'm still pissed the valves burned up due to a Ford manufacturing/engineering mistake.

I also love this ride...elegant, strong and...quick.

LINCOLN POWER!

[GRNMACHINE]

I want one.

[camusmuse]

New 2003 Aviator owner here.....been a Lincoln guy for a while though. Also have a MarkVIII...love them both, but wish the Aviator had the air ride. Yeah I know.....more maintenance, more expensive, but man what a ride!

I agree...we need to band together and share information on these somewhat rare beasts(mkviii's have a GREAT site/forum for info). At least the Aviators share some commonalities with the X and Montys(see, I am already picking up the lingo....lol).

So far I have replaced the brake light switch(not fun for a guy with big hands), ordered a "new" glove box(old one had handle busted off). Broke the light switch in the process of opening the "locked" box. Might be able to fix it, but will probably need another.

To do...."fix" sunvisors(both have the flip down covers missing), lights still work if you put a key or something in the "trigger" hole. The drivers seat seems to be stuck concerning going up or down, front to back is still good. Gotta check the rails for some crushed coins or the like.

I have the infamous in dash six dish changer that doesnt work....considering adding an AUX interface and just using my Blackberry(or other digital music source) for tunes. Other option is to go aftermarket(I am an ex installer and huge collector of "old school" car audio.) Would really like to keep the stock look though. I am also considering upgrading the subwoofer with a "new" amp and a long throw 6" woofer(stock is 7", but the long throw is a BEAST).

One major concern.....the trans has intermittently shifted hard from first to second(or maybe second to third) during a couple short trips. Shut it off, start it back up.... the trans is just fine. Just got back from a 200 mile road trip....trans worked great no hard shifts and no slipping(that I could tell). Supposedly the transfercase was just rebuilt or replaced(still waiting on paperwork from dealer).

So anyway...lets keep this thread going.....at least until we get our own sub forum(pretty please!?!)

Nathan

[GRNMACHINE]

Welcome cam! Now post some pics!

[camusmuse]

Thank ya! Its so new I havent had a chance to take any pics....plus the wife has already "claimed" it, giving me my MKVIII back(I gave it to her to replace her Honda after I was laid off). So it might be the weekend before I can take any pics.

Its bone stock.....TK exterior color code...I think they call it mineral grey or something, but it looks tan in most light, though if you catch it in the right light it does look dark grey....pretty cool color really. Didnt like it at first, but it grew on me. Not sure if it has any sort of pearl in it to do the color changing trick, my MKIII has a tricoat pearl....beige/cream...not my favorite color, but the price was too good to pass up). Aviator has the BJ code interior which looks like the same color as the ivory interior of the MKVIII...no complaints there.

The pin striping is starting to come off in places, so I might finish them off. It also needs a good buffing...besides that it is VERY clean....just hoping the drivetrain holds up.

Originally Posted by GRNMACHINE

Welcome cam! Now post some pics!

[Albino 94LTD]

Welcome to the Aviator family.

[camusmuse]

Thanks...now you got me jealous with the burl wood center...my 03 is just the silver plastic......

Oh well, much like when I got my MkVIII....I realized I would have more than one....My ideal MKVIII is a Silver LSC with tan interior.......

What are the cool options for the Aviator(besides that gnarly(gnurly) wood center???

Originally Posted by Albino 94LTD

Welcome to the Aviator family.

[Albino 94LTD]

That's aftermarket add on.

Mine has all options (i think they called it the Permium package, there is also an Ultimate package but they are opposite of how they sound, ie Premium is top of the line, all options??)

Lets see, options;
HID lights
Heated and cooled seats
Factory Navigation
AWD (you either get AWD or 2WD)
Advance Trac traction control (in late 2004 they added RSC Roll StabilityControl to Advance Trac)
2nd row buckets (vs 2nd row bench)
Class III hitch
Entertainment system
Sun roof
Chrome accent rims

I think those were the only options. I'm not sure if there were different gearing options, mine is 3.73.

[camusmuse]

Aftermarket huh? Might have to consider that once it has proven to be reliable(like to drive for a couple months before I start doing anything cosmetic or the like). From your list I have all options but the dvd/navigation, and obviously the RSC Roll......havent tried any AWD donuts as I dont wanna break anything, but first good snow....I'll be sure to find a good parking lot to have some fun.

You mention Chrome rims, which I have.....what is/are the other option(s)? I have seen what looks like brushed aluminum....which I almost like more, but I am sure they are a pain to clean.

Thanks for the info....

Originally Posted by Albino 94LTD

That's aftermarket add on.

Mine has all options (i think they called it the Permium package, there is also an Ultimate package but they are opposite of how they sound, ie Premium is top of the line, all options??)

Lets see, options;
HID lights
Heated and cooled seats
Factory Navigation
AWD (you either get AWD or 2WD)
Advance Trac traction control (in late 2004 they added RSC Roll StabilityControl to Advance Trac)
2nd row buckets (vs 2nd row bench)
Class III hitch
Entertainment system
Sun roof
Chrome accent rims

I think those were the only options. I'm not sure if there were different gearing options, mine is 3.73.

[Albino 94LTD]

Originally Posted by camusmuse

Aftermarket huh? Might have to consider that once it has proven to be reliable(like to drive for a couple months before I start doing anything cosmetic or the like). From your list I have all options but the dvd/navigation, and obviously the RSC Roll......havent tried any AWD donuts as I dont wanna break anything, but first good snow....I'll be sure to find a good parking lot to have some fun.

You mention Chrome rims, which I have.....what is/are the other option(s)? I have seen what looks like brushed aluminum....which I almost like more, but I am sure they are a pain to clean.

Thanks for the info....

The brushed aluminum is the other wheel option. Check your full size spare, Mine is the brushed rim, not chrome.

[camusmuse]

Alrighty.....got a few pics....battery dead for "good" camera....so you get cel phone pics....sorry. Yeah its dirty....needs a polish and a few more detailing peeves.















Sorry....had to sneak in a few of my MKVIII.....ignore the Dodge Dually....for now

[GRNMACHINE]

Very nice, all it needs is a nice set of wheels/tires.

[camusmuse]

Thanks....

Came with brand new tires....and I really dont mind the rims, anything bigger would make the ride rougher(shorter sidewall)....and it already rides a bit rough for a Lincoln. This is strictly for highway/commute anyway....AWD is for our lovely Missouri winters.....

Besides, I have other toys that get the cool rims and tires(at least in my mind...lol).......

Originally Posted by GRNMACHINE

Very nice, all it needs is a nice set of wheels/tires.

[GRNMACHINE]

cam,
totally understand! Tires have gone up in price and rims are very pricey without finding a decent sale/clearance etc. I didnt mean the wheels looked bad, very nice stock wheels. I just prefer aftermarket to make a vehicle look unique. Aviators are somewhat unique already. Most people think they are Navigators.

[camusmuse]

No worries.....

I have had my fair share of custom rims over the years..even as far back as when 15" rims were the biggest you could get....lol. Lately I have been into "stock custom" though. Like I had corvette rims on my old first gen s-10, Impala SS rims(94-96) on a Caprice Wagon with a Impala grille(that was traded in on the Aviator...yeah, I kept the wheels...lol),also had Impala rims on my old AstroAWD. Monte Carlo rims on wife's Lumina(fake LTZ...even added the low pro spoiler). ....and the list goes on....yeah, I'm a car whore.....but I like the stable I have now...hopefully they'll hold up until I win the lottery.....lol....

Originally Posted by GRNMACHINE

cam,
totally understand! Tires have gone up in price and rims are very pricey without finding a decent sale/clearance etc. I didnt mean the wheels looked bad, very nice stock wheels. I just prefer aftermarket to make a vehicle look unique. Aviators are somewhat unique already. Most people think they are Navigators.

[camusmuse]

This post got me thinking.....what are the "stock/oem" rims that are available that will fit the Aviator? I assume that we have the same options as the X and the Monty.

Any one have any pics or preferences of the wheels possibly available?

It would be nice to have a set of "snow rims/tires" to bolt on instead of going through the mounting/unmounting of snow tires.

Originally Posted by camusmuse

No worries.....

I have had my fair share of custom rims over the years..even as far back as when 15" rims were the biggest you could get....lol. Lately I have been into "stock custom" though. Like I had corvette rims on my old first gen s-10, Impala SS rims(94-96) on a Caprice Wagon with a Impala grille(that was traded in on the Aviator...yeah, I kept the wheels...lol),also had Impala rims on my old AstroAWD. Monte Carlo rims on wife's Lumina(fake LTZ...even added the low pro spoiler). ....and the list goes on....yeah, I'm a car whore.....but I like the stable I have now...hopefully they'll hold up until I win the lottery.....lol....

[Albino 94LTD]

Explorers and Mounty's came with 16" rims standard and the 17" were optional.

The Lincoln must run 17" due to the 13" front rotors. The X and M, I believe, have 12.5" front rotors (X and M rotors might be a little bigger but not 13". The Avi rear are 12.5" which is the same as X and M fronts)

I'll have to check but I think the bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" centers. You might find someting from and Edge or MKX? that'll fit.

F150's and Navigators are 5 on 5" or 5.5"

[camusmuse]

Do you have a vehicle list of bolt patterns for fomoco vehicles? Those are great references to have and I would really appreciate a copy if available.

Thanks....
Nate

Originally Posted by Albino 94LTD

Explorers and Mounty's came with 16" rims standard and the 17" were optional.

The Lincoln must run 17" due to the 13" front rotors. The X and M, I believe, have 12.5" front rotors (X and M rotors might be a little bigger but not 13". The Avi rear are 12.5" which is the same as X and M fronts)

I'll have to check but I think the bolt pattern is 5 on 4.5" centers. You might find someting from and Edge or MKX? that'll fit.

F150's and Navigators are 5 on 5" or 5.5"