Ford VN platform
Encyclopedia
The Ford VN platform is Ford Motor Company
's code designation for North America
n-designed van
s. The platform itself was introduced in 1975, when Ford redesigned the Econoline. In the 1980s, the designation was used for the Ford Aerostar
mid-size van platform, which is mechanically unrelated to the E-Series.
was the first to produced with a full frame. In production for 37 years (across two generations), the VN platform is the longest-used platform at Ford. The E-Series is also the last Ford that uses Twin I-Beam front suspension.
Vehicles using this platform include:
This design was developed because Ford truck designers were unfamiliar and uncomfortable with unibody construction. As a result, the frame rails were integrated into the unibody; this construction was also used on the Chevrolet Astro
/GMC Safari vans, the second-generation Jeep Cherokee
, and today's Honda Ridgeline
pickup.
Although the Aerostar used a dedicated platform, it was designed with a high degree of parts commonality
with other Ford light-truck products of the time (initially, the Ford Ranger
/Bronco II
and the later Ford Explorer
/Mazda Navajo
). Components such as the brake rotors, axle bearings, wheels were all interchangeable and essentially any light-truck powertrain and suspension upgrades were also available to the Aerostar. One notable exception is that the Aerostar's rear suspension was designed with a 3-link coil spring rear suspension with a live rear axle. This rear suspension design was similar to that used by the Ford LTD Crown Victoria
and Fox-body Mustang.
Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK...
's code designation for North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
n-designed van
Van
A van is a kind of vehicle used for transporting goods or groups of people.In British English usage, it can be either specially designed or based on a saloon or sedan car, the latter type often including derivatives with open backs...
s. The platform itself was introduced in 1975, when Ford redesigned the Econoline. In the 1980s, the designation was used for the Ford Aerostar
Ford Aerostar
The Ford Aerostar is a minivan produced by Ford Motor Company for the North American market; the first such design by Ford, it was sold from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. It was sold in both passenger van and cargo van configurations in two body lengths with both rear wheel drive and all wheel...
mid-size van platform, which is mechanically unrelated to the E-Series.
VN58/VN127
Introduced in 1975, this generation of the E-SeriesFord E-Series
The Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and its descendants are still produced...
was the first to produced with a full frame. In production for 37 years (across two generations), the VN platform is the longest-used platform at Ford. The E-Series is also the last Ford that uses Twin I-Beam front suspension.
Vehicles using this platform include:
- Ford EconolineFord E-SeriesThe Ford E-Series, formerly known as the Econoline or Club Wagon, is a line of full-size vans and truck chassis from the Ford Motor Company. The E-Series is related to the Ford F-Series line of pickup trucks. The line was introduced in 1961 as a compact van and its descendants are still produced...
-- full size vans (VN58, about 1989; VN127 1995)
VN1
- Ford AerostarFord AerostarThe Ford Aerostar is a minivan produced by Ford Motor Company for the North American market; the first such design by Ford, it was sold from the 1986 to the 1997 model years. It was sold in both passenger van and cargo van configurations in two body lengths with both rear wheel drive and all wheel...
-- mid-size van (1986-1997), code named VN1; the first Ford vehicle with an alphanumeric platform designation replacing Ford's historical practice of code names. The Aerostar's platform was separate from the Econoline, sharing similarity only in its designation.
This design was developed because Ford truck designers were unfamiliar and uncomfortable with unibody construction. As a result, the frame rails were integrated into the unibody; this construction was also used on the Chevrolet Astro
Chevrolet Astro
The Chevrolet Astro was a rear-wheel drive mid-sized van introduced by Chevrolet in 1985 to rival domestic competitors the Dodge Caravan/Plymouth Voyager twins and the Japanese Toyota Van. Also sharing the Astro's platform was its sibling, the GMC Safari...
/GMC Safari vans, the second-generation Jeep Cherokee
Jeep Cherokee (XJ)
The Jeep Cherokee is a unibody compact SUV. It shared the name of the original full-size SJ model, but without a body-on-frame chassis, it set the stage for the modern SUV. Its innovative appearance and sales popularity spawned important imitators as other automakers began to notice that this...
, and today's Honda Ridgeline
Honda Ridgeline
The Honda Ridgeline is a mid to full size sport utility truck produced by the Japanese automaker Honda. The Ridgeline was released in March 2005 as a 2006 model and is Honda's intended first foray into the North American pickup truck market. Until 2009, the Ridgeline was built in Alliston,...
pickup.
Although the Aerostar used a dedicated platform, it was designed with a high degree of parts commonality
Interchangeable parts
Interchangeable parts are parts that are, for practical purposes, identical. They are made to specifications that ensure that they are so nearly identical that they will fit into any device of the same type. One such part can freely replace another, without any custom fitting...
with other Ford light-truck products of the time (initially, the Ford Ranger
Ford Ranger
The Ford Ranger is a pickup truck produced by the Ford Motor Company. The "Ranger" name had previously been used for a premium styling package on the F-Series full-sized pickup trucks since 1965. The name was moved to this line of North American compact trucks for the 1983 model year.In North...
/Bronco II
Ford Bronco II
The Ford Bronco II was a compact SUV sold between 1984 and 1990. It was commissioned as a smaller complement to the full-size Bronco as well as to offer a Ford alternative to the Chevrolet S-10 Blazer, Jeep Cherokee , and Toyota 4Runner. The Bronco II was Ford's first compact SUV since the original...
and the later Ford Explorer
Ford Explorer
The Ford Explorer is a sport-utility vehicle sold in North America and built by the Ford Motor Company since 1990, as a replacement for the smaller but related Ford Bronco II. It is manufactured in Chicago, Illinois...
/Mazda Navajo
Mazda Navajo
The Mazda Navajo was a 2-door SUV introduced in 1991, and Mazda's very first off-roader. Also, the Navajo was Mazda's only truck-based SUV . Available only as a four-wheel drive, two-door vehicle, the Navajo was essentially a rebadged Ford Explorer Sport...
). Components such as the brake rotors, axle bearings, wheels were all interchangeable and essentially any light-truck powertrain and suspension upgrades were also available to the Aerostar. One notable exception is that the Aerostar's rear suspension was designed with a 3-link coil spring rear suspension with a live rear axle. This rear suspension design was similar to that used by the Ford LTD Crown Victoria
Ford LTD Crown Victoria
The Ford LTD Crown Victoria is a full-size rear-wheel drive sedan that was produced by the Ford Motor Company from 1983 to 1991. As part of a redesign for the 1992 model year, it was renamed the Ford Crown Victoria...
and Fox-body Mustang.