mmerlinn
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- July 2, 2012
- Messages
- 109
- Reaction score
- 2
- City, State
- Here, There, and Everywhere
- Year, Model & Trim Level
- Aero 93@430000: 90@155000
I have owned two Aerostars, both 3.0 V6s. Personally, I would never own a 4.0L unless I had no other choice. Why? 3.0s are almost bulletproof whereas the 4.0s are not.
Ask any wrecking yard for price and availability of both. 3.0s are dirt cheap in the yards and seldom sell, often going for $200 for a complete engine with all the goodies. 4.0s on the other hand are hard to find and often go for over $1000. That is the best indicator I know for the durability of the motors. Engine rebuilders will not even buy 3.0s, but will scarf up every 4.0 they can find regardless of condition. That is another good indicator of the durability differences between them.
My first Aero was an 86 3.0L. The motor died when the top came off #5 piston and started rattling around in the cylinder at 200,000 miles. My current 93 Aero 3.0L turned over 358,000 two days ago and still gets 23mpg city and 26mpg highway. Original motor with no major problems. All I have ever done is one tuneup, minor repairs, and consumables.
My first Aero transmission was rebuilt 3 times before I bought the Aero with 109,000 miles on it. I rebuilt the transmission again at 170,000 miles. It outlasted the motor. My current Aero A4LD has never been out of the vehicle and will still haul a 3000 pound payload over any mountain I want to cross. In the 180,000 miles since I got it I have only flushed the transmission one time, and then only because the engine was sucking transmission fluid through the modulator.
I am starting to keep my eyes peeled for another Aerostar. Around here good-running, low mileage (150,000 miles or so), nice body Aeros can be had for $500 to $1500. My criteria is second generation, 3.0L engine, rear wheel drive, automatic, working cruise control, & straight body. Nothing else really matters to me since I am buying a workhorse, and I will work it to death.
As I write this I am waiting for a return email from a seller who has an 93 Aero almost identical to the 93 I now drive, even down to the color and trim. If it is what he says it is (115,000 miles and no known problems) I will pay him his $500 asking price and then figure out a way to get it back here (he is 100 miles south). If I get it, I will be able to drive it and use my current 93 for parts, or park it until my current Aero dies.
My recommendations for anyone considering buying an Aerostar are as follows:
The A4LD transmission before 1990 was a POS. If you buy an Aero before 1990 I would highly recommend that the transmission be replaced with a 90-92 A4LD or be rebuilt with all of the latest updates. 93-95 A4LDs will not fit because there is no speedometer provision on the output shaft since the speed sensor was on the rear end in 93-95. Aerostar A4LD transmissions are ENGINE SPECIFIC, so 3.0 will not fit 4.0, etc.
The 4R44E and 5R44E are basically electronic versions of the A4LD, but will not interchange, although they seem to be a pretty good transmission since parts seldom sell for them. Since I have had no experience with them, I personally am leery of 96-97 Aeros.
Ask any wrecking yard for price and availability of both. 3.0s are dirt cheap in the yards and seldom sell, often going for $200 for a complete engine with all the goodies. 4.0s on the other hand are hard to find and often go for over $1000. That is the best indicator I know for the durability of the motors. Engine rebuilders will not even buy 3.0s, but will scarf up every 4.0 they can find regardless of condition. That is another good indicator of the durability differences between them.
My first Aero was an 86 3.0L. The motor died when the top came off #5 piston and started rattling around in the cylinder at 200,000 miles. My current 93 Aero 3.0L turned over 358,000 two days ago and still gets 23mpg city and 26mpg highway. Original motor with no major problems. All I have ever done is one tuneup, minor repairs, and consumables.
My first Aero transmission was rebuilt 3 times before I bought the Aero with 109,000 miles on it. I rebuilt the transmission again at 170,000 miles. It outlasted the motor. My current Aero A4LD has never been out of the vehicle and will still haul a 3000 pound payload over any mountain I want to cross. In the 180,000 miles since I got it I have only flushed the transmission one time, and then only because the engine was sucking transmission fluid through the modulator.
I am starting to keep my eyes peeled for another Aerostar. Around here good-running, low mileage (150,000 miles or so), nice body Aeros can be had for $500 to $1500. My criteria is second generation, 3.0L engine, rear wheel drive, automatic, working cruise control, & straight body. Nothing else really matters to me since I am buying a workhorse, and I will work it to death.
As I write this I am waiting for a return email from a seller who has an 93 Aero almost identical to the 93 I now drive, even down to the color and trim. If it is what he says it is (115,000 miles and no known problems) I will pay him his $500 asking price and then figure out a way to get it back here (he is 100 miles south). If I get it, I will be able to drive it and use my current 93 for parts, or park it until my current Aero dies.
My recommendations for anyone considering buying an Aerostar are as follows:
- Second generation (92-97)
- A4LD automatic transmission (92-95)
- 3.0L engine
- Any other special items wanted
The A4LD transmission before 1990 was a POS. If you buy an Aero before 1990 I would highly recommend that the transmission be replaced with a 90-92 A4LD or be rebuilt with all of the latest updates. 93-95 A4LDs will not fit because there is no speedometer provision on the output shaft since the speed sensor was on the rear end in 93-95. Aerostar A4LD transmissions are ENGINE SPECIFIC, so 3.0 will not fit 4.0, etc.
The 4R44E and 5R44E are basically electronic versions of the A4LD, but will not interchange, although they seem to be a pretty good transmission since parts seldom sell for them. Since I have had no experience with them, I personally am leery of 96-97 Aeros.
