is it worth it. is it a big weight savings.what are the pros and cons on this swap.
is it worth it. is it a big weight savings.what are the pros and cons on this swap.
Since you're dealing with a Fairmont, if you want to go to an aluminum driveshaft the Aerostar is the only affordable route I can think of. Otherwise it would be an expensive custom built from scratch unit.
Is it worth it? Just put the Aerostar shaft on the scales and then put your stock steel shaft on the scales. The aluminum shaft is easily worth the weight in rotating mass of your drivetrain.
I know guys who will spend a couple of thousand bucks to remove that much rotating weight from their flywheel, clutch and engine.
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Yes it is worth it. You will most likely have to take it to your local driveline shop and get it rebalanced with your yokes. Id recommend only using spicer u-joints too, you'll need either two 1310 joints, or two 1310-1330 conversion joints (depending on the yokes you currently have).
You can try for one out of a Crown Vic and some 2WD Rangers. I had a Ranger one shortened and ballenced for my 86 TC.
To me the Aerostar is on the thin side if you have alot of torque or like to spin your tires. I've seen one that has twisted before.
86' SVO 1C # 17 of 3379 86's #6475 of 9837
86' SVO 1C #497 of 3379 86's #6955 of 9837
84' GT Turbo #4 of 3241 GT Turbo HB's #560 of 3935
87' Thunderbird TC 1 of 10
http://www.foureyedpride.com/content...e-of-the-Month
You can also look for a '93 Mark VIII driveshaft. It is longer but can be shortened and is plenty stout.
I put one in my Saleen a few years back. My original shaft weighed 16lbs. The aluminum one with my Mustang yoke and axle flange weighed in at 7lbs which is a 9lb weight savings.
67 Mustang Coupe
96 Tangerine GT
86 Saleen #179
I have one. It is the same diameter as a fox shaft, but smaller diameter than the FMS AL shaft. I don't see you hurting it unless you have a good amount of power and you are launching on slicks.
1981 T-top coupe - FEP #28
1990 GT - H/C/I
2003 GT daily driver - bolt-ons 252hp/292tq rw
What year Areostar??
Current rides:
89 LX 5.0, 5 -spd..the Lemon
86 RS Capri 5.0 Auto...
86 LX Colorado SSP 5.0 5-spd (Sadly Sold)
85.5 SVO, Finally Got Boost
83 RS Capri 5.0, 5-spd (another sadly sold)
Its not an aerostar driveshaft you need nor a Crown vic nor Ranger. It a Explorer for a Fairmont that is, the 1997 4 door V6 2WD Explorers will fit with NO cutting or ballancing required. All you will need is the conversion u joints to put your yoke and flange on. do a search on Fairmont driveshaft for more info. And to anwser your question it is worth it, i shaved about 12 pounds of m fairmont swaping my d-shaft for an exploder one.
Last edited by dragfairmont351; 08-19-2012 at 11:30 PM.
1979 2 door boxtop 351w and a C4
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let me add to that information alittle.
A 1992-2001 Explorer 4dr 4.0 A/T 2wd driveshaft will work, but there are 2 different ones with the same 51.5" length. The 92-94 Explorer driveshaft has the smaller u-joint size like the Fairmont. The 1995-2001 Explorer has the larger size u-joints like the 1990-2004 Mustangs.
Now for some useless information:
An 87-93 Mustang 4cyl. A/T 43" driveshaft is the correct length when swapping a 5.0 V8 into a 2dr 2wd Explorer.
A 96-2001 Explorer V8 2wd 53" driveshaft is the correct length to swap into a 84-92 Lincoln Mark VII to get rid of that vibrating double rear u-joint.
I got one from a 94, must have been a recall fix because it had welded ends.
Replacement 86 Mustang U joints fit properly, no conversion joints needed. No vibrations, even using the Aerostar front yoke with the dampener on it. I tried to use my stock yoke, but with the IRS it's a straight shot from trans to the diff, and was even a slightly tight fit with the aerostar yoke.
1983 GLX vert
88 roller motor
Intake/Exhaust/Underdrives/Turbocoupe t5
13.79 @ 96.29 1.86 60'
1986 Mustang Gt
95 longblock w/smog bumps removed/TFS1 cam/Explorer intake/Hedman Long tubes/Mac catback 252hp/311tq
.
13.05@102.55
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