Adam_tinkerer
Active Member
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 96
- Reaction score
- 1
- City, State
- Newton, NC
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- 1992 Aerostar
My opportunities were limited. I have an 87 full size 4wd chevy pickup that I could try to get on the road and inspected. But, a LOT of work involved, including replacing the transfer case and complete exhaust! That got me thinking, and looked at the Aero again. What I thought was damage to the lower control arm, is the same as the other side, and no signs of it contacting the road. So, I replaced the bad ball joint, the housing cracked, allowing the ball to pop out. Then, I drove around the neighborhood, and it didn't seem any different. I went ahead and replaced the other three ball joints, as only one would take any grease, and it was on the side that failed. Noticed that all the bolts supplied with the uppers were ridiculously too short, so I went ahead and bought Grade 8 bolts at Lowe's. Went to the two nearest Pull a Parts, in Winston-Salem and Charlotte. Found 4 decent tires, three already on Aero rims. And, a rare bird, a 93 extended cargo!! 
Wondered how I could get that body home, then checked out for parts, back in reality! I got the metal rear sill plate, the sliding door latch cover, as well as the hard headliner and vinyl sun visors. At that point, I'd figured on eventually getting another Aero, so might as well grab a few cargo only parts, who knows when I'll see another! Actually, there's one down in SC that's been on and off craigslist for almost a year, for $600. Nearly identical white 95 extended, with only 115K or so. Priced cheap because it's been sitting for 4 years, and needs a brake overhaul finished. Maybe when funds allow... Meanwhile, my van is now so ugly, it's kind of getting it's own personality-one silver rim, one blue, one black, and one mostly black. I found some gray metallic wheel paint, and sprayed the exposed end of the front bumper reinforcement. Looks better than white. And yanked the front fenders out enough so the doors would open! I took 700 lbs of scrap iron, car parts, and a bathtub to the scrapyard yesterday without any complaints. I'd removed the ladder racks, and the cargo platform, when I thought it was a lost cause. I may not need them, since I had a job interview today, with a company that has it's own vans. The co. I was working for suddenly ran out of work, and at a bad time of year! I have a second interview with the other partner on Monday, and, another with a different co. Tuesday afternoon! I'll try to get a pic of the van this weekend. -Adam
Wondered how I could get that body home, then checked out for parts, back in reality! I got the metal rear sill plate, the sliding door latch cover, as well as the hard headliner and vinyl sun visors. At that point, I'd figured on eventually getting another Aero, so might as well grab a few cargo only parts, who knows when I'll see another! Actually, there's one down in SC that's been on and off craigslist for almost a year, for $600. Nearly identical white 95 extended, with only 115K or so. Priced cheap because it's been sitting for 4 years, and needs a brake overhaul finished. Maybe when funds allow... Meanwhile, my van is now so ugly, it's kind of getting it's own personality-one silver rim, one blue, one black, and one mostly black. I found some gray metallic wheel paint, and sprayed the exposed end of the front bumper reinforcement. Looks better than white. And yanked the front fenders out enough so the doors would open! I took 700 lbs of scrap iron, car parts, and a bathtub to the scrapyard yesterday without any complaints. I'd removed the ladder racks, and the cargo platform, when I thought it was a lost cause. I may not need them, since I had a job interview today, with a company that has it's own vans. The co. I was working for suddenly ran out of work, and at a bad time of year! I have a second interview with the other partner on Monday, and, another with a different co. Tuesday afternoon! I'll try to get a pic of the van this weekend. -Adam
