54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

i started a thread using a mountaineer, but when i got it home from auction the previous owner had ripped out the front drive shaft and transfer case. so i went back to auction and found something even better! a 2005 lincoln aviator with 100k miles for $1100. listen to these specs.
AWD , 4 hi & lo
Heat/Ac power seats
Cruise I'll keep. Along with as much of the aviator console/dash I can make work
3.73 independent 8.8 rearend
4 wheel upgraded 13" discbrakes
4.6 dohc 32 valve 302 hp coyote motor
113.7 x 60.8 front 60.9 rear
Traction and tilt control with on/off switch
0-60 in 5.9 sec 89 mph that should increase a lot when it loses 1500 lbs. and cats. When I have it tuned with a k&n intake. I should get close to 400 hp. I may still want more, but I was impressed with its speed when it had the aviator cab on it.
I live an 1/8th of a mile from the kennedale 1/8th drag strip. I'm looking forward to taking it there.
If anyone knows any best bang for the buck upgrades for a 4.6 it would be truly appreciated!

im going to sit the aviator cab on an explorer chassis so i can still sale it for enough to get my money back, I hope.Attachment 1571312

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

still having problems uploading pics! says i have a security token missing. i had to do it one at a time!Attachment 1571313

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Pretty cool im looking forward to seeing this take shape

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Sounds interesting. Independent rear is a nice plus. The track width is right on. The wheelbase will be a little shy though. An AD I believe is 116 and a regular cab long bed S10 commonly used is 117 and some change. Are you going to stretch the frame? One thought, you could always shorten the bed and the running boards. Might be easier. Or, even easier is a flatbed. I've seen a couple that look cool with flatbeds. Either way, this should be fun to watch.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I was hoping that I could bend the front of the bed to curve around the cab and push it forward. Your right though. I didn't think about cutting the bed. Might do both if needed. Ty! I had keys made today. I want to drive it before I take the cab off to make sure there's nothing I need to address while it's easy to get to. Freaking sucks I have to work to pay bills when all I want to do is work on the truck. My slow season is right around the corner and I can't wait!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

So a little progress. I couldn't be happier with what I found once the cab was off. I'll probably have to notch a little off the rear of the cab, but other then that. It's a perfect fit. So far it looks like I can make the Lincoln steering column, brakes and middle console fit. I may change the cab I use though because I plan on using a large portion of the aviator center flooring to get over the trans. I'm hoping then I can also use the shifter from the aviator.Attachment 1578272

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

A few more. The existing cab mounts are 45" center to center. The widest part of the chassis where the cab will sit is 43".Attachment 1578277

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

so I'm wondering if anyone has used the firewall along with the floor of a donor vehicle? I was originally going to use a yellow caterpillar service truck and leave it like it is patina and all. Now that I'm using an aviator chassis and everything I can use from it. I'm thinking it needs to be in a truck that has a nice paint job. Then I can also match the tan interior. I happen to have another truck that is really straight, but the floor and firewall are totally shot. I realize matching the 2 up is probably going to be a beating, but what the heck? Unless it's impossible? Measurements match up pretty close. Attachment 1579224

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Ive done it.

http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...cture040-1.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...cture001-2.jpg
http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m...Picture027.jpg


if I had to do it again, I would be smarter about it, and move the parts around to fit the column in the proper place before welding it all, in my case the donor was narrow and the donee was wide, so the column ended up low and 6 inches offset to the center. my goal was to use the donor HVAC and pedals unmodified, which I was able to do, but I had to have the steering column moved by a guy with more skill than me.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Even though it will be time consuming to make the firewall etc to line up. Once it's done then everything else that's normally time consuming will be very easy. Like seat mounts, Ac, steering and I'll also be able to use the his and her brake and gas pedal controls. I'm wanting to go as far as cut out the dash so I can even use all the gauges etc..I like how the Ac and blower is mounted. The gear shift I would also be able to keep in the middle.Attachment 1579231

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

deja vu, I remember thinking exactly that same thing. :lol: it didnt work that way for me but hey! your hill of beans is probably completely different from my hill of beans. keep posting pictures!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

That's awesome. Nicely done. I feel so much better! Thank you! Man this forum is by far the best site on the internet I have ever found!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Subscribed! I've been considering this (2wd though) vs S-10 vs original frame with ifs and 4 bar rear.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Colby ..there's a burb build on here that's morphed with a envoy that's along the same lines as what joedoh did and what your doing...here it is..http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...light=trailvoy

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Thank you so much! I'm liking this idea more and more!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I saw your link in your sig from another thread. This one looks interesting. I think I will follow along!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I think you will be lightyears ahead if you move the steering/pedal mount section of the firewall to where it fits the 54 best!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Exactly what do you mean Joe? My plan is to remount the aviator floor, steering and brakes back on the chassis then see where it has to be connected to the ad cab and still have the front wheels centered in the fenders. Thanks for the help!!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

yeah, thats how I did mine and the steering column was in completely the wrong spot, and the pedals were way to the right too. I had to move everything around which cost a lot. if I hadnt been such a dummy, I would have cut that part of the firewall out and moved the whole section where it fit better then trimmed it back in.

where I see your potential problem is with seating position between the two, the aviator you sit pretty close to the floor and have a deep firewall for your legs and feet. the AD is way more upright, if you just weld in the firewall, the seat mounts might be out the back of the cab and the steering column angle will have it in your crotch. but if you separate that section of the firewall and move it up, steering shafts and joints will correct the misalignment and the steering wheel will be in the right spot. you may also need a stand for the seats to keep you off the floor.

it may weld in and be fine. I am only talking about the problem I had with mine as a potential snag for you. better to be aware of it up front and not have it, than weld it solid and have to redo it it like I did.

also, I lined up the firewalls and welded them together, then moved the body mounts back to get the wheel in the right spot. like I said, the footwell on the aviator is short in height and deep in length, but opposite for the aviator. just something to be aware of!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

That's a very good point I haven't thought about. I was thinking I may have to weld a 1x4 angle on top of the aviator firewall to push it forward. Regardless now that you told me about moving that foot section. I have no doubt I can make it work. Thank you! You've given me a lot to think about and I know you have prevented future headaches. I'll be getting into it real soon.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

So far so goodAttachment 1580235

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Well thank you! It's nice to have a fellow Aggie come along! Gig em!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Whoop!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I like where this is going.....

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

So far so good. The front of the fire wall lines up within an inch. The bottom angle is within 6 "s. I'm having problems getting the floor and the cab lined up. It's just doesn't look right when I set the cab floor perfectly level to the aviator floor. I'm using the aviator cab mounts. So I guess it would make since to have the floor welding to the cab even all the way to the back with no angle?Attachment 1582172

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Here's a better pic of the floor I'm talking about. The edge of the aviator floor has a trim along the edge about 2"s apart, but the bottom plate is much thicker. I'm going to weld something thicker on the bottom of the ad cab. Then adjust to where the top layer of the floor is even with the cab. I'll have to get creative on the back edge because of the trans tunnel. Attachment 1582179

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

looks like it is lining out well, how is the steering and brake position?

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

We did the best we could with all the welding. Hopefully after some seam sealer and por15 it'll look better. So far so goodAttachment 1582858

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Attachment 1582865 and it looks like I'm going to have another 6"s for leg room

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I'm looking forward to seeing how this one works out. It should be a good driving and riding AD when you get it done.

Are you welding that sheet metal with that Lincoln AC "tombstone" welder?

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

TY! no I'm not that good with a stick welder. I just used it for the thicker square tubing I used on the sides. I have a mig for the thin stuff. I've found the .023 carbon Steele is best to use for thin stuff.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

They lined up perfectly. I can't believe it. The explorer/mountaineer/aviator chassis is built very well. I'm pretty sure they all come standard all wheel disc and IRS except explorer. I keep seeing them sale for cheap at the auctions. So far so good.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

neat! keep it up!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

This truck is awesome. It's going to blow people's minds when it's done. It will piss off the brand loyal guys, fool everyone as it drives by and stir up everyone's curiosity when they start to figure out what's going on. I love it!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I have heard more then once about having a ford motor in a Chevy around the shop. I've seen several fords with Chevy motors. I just don't get it, but you are right. I'm going to love it when I dust them. Thanks for the post!!

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

Now that you're intimately familiar with the Aviator chassis, what's your opinion about using it just as a chassis donor (without the floor pan)? With IRS, 4 wheel discs, and rack & pinion, it would seem to have some advantages over an S-10 donor. The 113.8" wheelbase is a couple of inches short, but I'm starting with a LWB truck anyway so it can be any length. It's hard to forego all the parts, information, experience, etc., that's available for an S-10 swap--but somebody had to do the first one of those at one time, too.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

r
The chassis by itself is built extremely well. Then take the standard IRS, 4 wheeel disc etc.. oh hands down a better chassis. Oh and the aviator also has an awesome tow package. I have a mountaineer I'm using the chassis on my next build. You find ad cabs all the time that have the floors completely rusted. It was a pain the first time, but I think now that I know it'll work. I would prefer to cut the floor out. I would be happy to give you the exact measurements to swap out the floor and fire wall. ONCE I see this one completed lol.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

It's been a bit, but I've been crazy busy. I am tired again, so for now I'll just post pics and explain later in more detailAttachment 1590663

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I really like how I could still use all the aviator heat shields, grommets etc... the dash on the other hand is being a challenge.

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I plan on putting the gas cap in the rear fender. I have seen on here someone bought one or had one they installed. If anyone knows where?

Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I will be able to make the dash work, but I have to shave off 2 or 3 inches on each side. Hopefully fiberglass in the end will help bring the top all together.[ATTACH]Attachment 1590669

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Re: 54 3600 lincoln aviator
 

I am pretty much winging it at this point. If anyone sees something that could help pull this all together, it would be truly appreciated. Luckily I have some handy friends to help out also. The next one will be so much easier after this one is done, lol.Attachment 1590674

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The radiator support is next. I was hoping to have it on the road in a week. I don't think I will hit that deadline lol