Tips And Tricks For The Ford Panther Platform(Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car)
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- čas přidán 25. 06. 2024
- Here’s a few easy tips and tricks related to the #Ford #Panther #platform.
We’re gonna do more on these cars, because we love them too.
It’s late and I don’t know what else to put in this description.
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That Merc only classed the joint up my guy!!!!
Nothing is better than a Crown Vic/Mercedes Marq for reeling in the miles in absolute comfort.
Always wanted a Merc Marauder.
After owning 7 panthers now here's some more things to watch for.
As mentioned, parking with the driver side low will leak on number 8, but parking with the pass side can leave your floor pans wet. the drain under the cowl gets plugged up easily and when it does, rain water leaks in through the firewall and will pool on the pass side, usually in the rear.
For the radio, there are plenty of radios out there that have double DIN face plates but mount in a single din if you need the disk player, otherwise, any no disk head unit should fit just fine in the GM and CV. Full size double din fit in the Town car 03+ without a problem...but, if you have the 'THX' soundmark system with navigation it becomes a pain in the butt to replace the head unit as that system doesn't have speaker wires coming to the radio. Wiring diagrams are online but you need to use the preamp outs and use the original amplifier, or run all new wiring to all the speakers.
On the transmission, I find the 4r70w to be pretty much bulletproof in these cars. over all 5 cars I've owned with this transmission the only issue I ever had was a tailshaft gasket needing to be replaced 300,000 miles in on my 95 towncar. That car got to 450,000 before she getting wrecked. I wouldn't even change the fluid, just drive it forever, the trans will last twice as long as the engine easily.
that brings the next point, do your oil changes, and don't let oil change places put on the tiny filter their system says is an interchange. it fits, and it's easier for the mechanic to get the old one out, but it's small and doesn't flow as well. get the M1-210, or the S2 at your auto parts shop and hand it to them if you are getting the oil changed by a shop. this one goes along with the next:
Listen for signs that the timing tensioners and chain guides are failing and get them fixed. you'll get slight 'lifter tick' and a bit of whine from the engine along with a bit of 'grinding metal smell'. if you're lucky. get the tensioners and guides replaced or you're looking at a whole lot more very soon. while I think that 150k estimate is wildly short for the transmission, for the 4.6 motor, they seem to want to die at about 120k, or last for 400k+.
One more in two parts: if youu have the all plastic intake manifold, expect that it will fail at the worst time. save your self some trouble if you can afford it and replace it with your choice of the OE intake or dorman one with the metal coolant tube. Most people swear by the OE one, but I've never had a problem with the dorman one. No matter which version you have, get some good penetrating oil on the two thermostat bolts, and be very careful loosening them. Use some antiseize when you put them back. One of those bolts snapping in the block will turn your 2 hour intake swap in to two days of cussing if you're handy and a pile of cash burnt if you're not.
Bonus thing to keep an eye on. if you plan on parking the car for any extended period anywhere with humidity/rain, spray the steering shaft U-joints with some lube. they like to get stiff after the car sits a while. you can usually bring them back to life soaking the joints in some PB Blast, but it's a hassle and really annoying having the wheel not return to center around turns after the car's been sitting for a month or two.
I'm sure there's a bunch more rattling about in my head but that's all I can think of right now. Even with all the issues I like the panther better than anything else out there.
P.s. Keep a full size spare. You have the room for it so if you put any kind of mileage on the car, it's well worth it. Don't get stuck in BFE on a Sunday when everything's closed because you only have the donut.
Cool, thanks for taking the time to write all that, i appreciate it and i learned a few things.
I have a 06 MGM ultimate with the classic geriatric landau top and opera lights. I've had 7 cars before this in my lifetime, the past 4 generations of mustangs, diesel trucks, toyota pickup. Hands down without any shadow of a doubt this is the best car i have ever owned. It was sitting for 2 years when I bought it for $400 bucks from my next door neighbor. I put around 2 grand into it, tires, every fluid including the trans which was the cleanest fluid i've ever seen come out of a 115K mile trans. Had to get the hood and roof re sprayed. Now i do 35k miles a year and 7k mile full synthetic oil changes with the OE filter. The car now has almost 160k on it and aside my leaking rims which are corroded inside the bead of the tire I have no complaints. I plan on running the car until it dies, It genuinely owes me nothing!
Spot on. And another thing is AC drain. Use a coupler and add enuff so that it drains on inside or outside if frame. Quite a few have I seen with rusted frames from this. Mine did this. Another is rust. Ford used dam foam to seal and quiet and will hold water. Save oils, fluids from service, mix 1 quart of each plus 1 grease gun cartridge, and 1 wax ring gasket for toilet. Mix and heat in old pot and spray, brush etc however get it inside all crevices, cracks and all under car. Eastwoods internal frame and 360 nozzle inside then rustoleum under, then this mixture for rust. I use farm implement paint that stuff is tough and with a few caps of hardener it will take a fire to remove it. I promise u will not have any rust issues. They do like to rust behind stainless wheel arch trim, rockers, lower rear front fenders, around gas lid. Kill rust with tools, use Ospho to convert then spray whatever but I like rustoleum. Served me well. Also used zinc coating that's worked well. But I layer 5 or so on all under car so rust will not show up. Don't flush trans. Do jmod so it won't slip so bad, use BG oil and trans and duff treatment and throw in a few bottles of friction modifiers in them. Saw 1 with 825k other day on YT. They will last a lifetime if u service them. Timing chains, intake, vent, about covers it. Plus they cheap to own and rarely break if taken care of. Kill that rust.
Last year I bought an 08 Merc Grand Marquis LS with 104,386 miles. Runs fantastic,shifts smooth, rides like a cloud. The gold/silver paint peals just like yours. Been a GM guy all my life. Love Mopar also but this car might be my favorite ever.Thanks for the info.
These cars are rock solid we love them up here in Michigan.
Another trans tip. If you are rebuilding a 4r70w get the uhaul specific valve body for a box truck with tow/haul mode. Wire it to the overdrive off button on the shifter. In normal mode it will shift soft and cushy just like factory. In tow/haul mode it will be like a full race trans, shifting harder than one with the j-mod
One very important item you did not mention. These 4.6 V8s came originally from the factory with a PLASTIC intake manifold! These eventually cracked, leaking antifreeze! Be sure to replace these with the updated manifold with the aluminum crossover port that runs beneath the alternator. Also, the coil packs usually need replacement at around 100k. Neither job is very hard. A very strong engine that will run forever with normal oil changes.
The plastic crossover port ended in 2001, when they went to Performance Improved intake , heads, etc. There are videos telling how to put the PI intake on the previous motors.
Facts and the front ball joints
A fella in a video had 1 with 825k miles all original drive train. Another in a comment had 762k. My buddy's family had a taxi business in NY city and would buy these with 200k cheap, service and run till death or too bad wrecked.He said as long as u keep them rust proofed, serviced on time with motorcraft he'd run them well over 500k miles easily. I used to think these was old grandpa cars. I wish I knew better sooner. I love me panthers and cougars, but alot less issues with panthers. Lmao.
Dorman intakes kill 15 HP.
The V10 engines have the same coil packs, my friend bought a 10 pack so he has 2 as spares.👍😎
Yes I remember my dad redoing the manifold on the 98 p71
Had an 08 MGM LS in light blue metallic for a few months now 180 thousand miles on it and love it. I like the video. You're an easy to listen to person when it comes to explaining things. Thanks for sharing this
Picked up an 05 last winter as my daily to take the burden off my 92 CHerokee. Great car. The Marquis is often overlooked compared to the police crown vics and therfore can often be had at a much better price. I get 24 mpg, AC is ice cold, and everything is easy to service. Love it so far.
Besides the original headlights, the only thing I hate about my 05 Marquis is the old school "whip" antenna on the rear fender for that year ONLY instead of rear window antenna!! YUCK
Put a double din touch screen and 2 12s you'll love it even more. I did mine and my bros marquis and his jeep
Stock electrical is good for 1k watts. Do big 3 wire upgrade with a capacitor and crossover
@@Muthashabubu Yeah, I also have an 05 GM that is an LS premium with the rare center console and dual exhaust, 3.27 axle ratio option, and yes the whip antenna is a drag, simply cos unless you take it to a brushless car wash, the ones with brushes will bend the antenna so I just unscrew mine whenever I go through one of those kind...🛠️🙄 The story I read about why Ford put the whip antennas on the 05 GM and Crown Victoria was because apparently Ford had a surplus of them and wanted to get rid of them and save money too, but as a consequence, I heard that there was an incident of a police officer that was beaten and assaulted by a suspect who managed to unscrew the one on his police cruiser and use it as a weapon... 😲
Your tip about #8 coil is priceless. I have this car and after rain very often I have a #8 cylinder misfire. Replaced coils, plugs and still have this problem. It is always the #8. Thank you so much!
Dialectic grease 🤔🙄
@@hotrodray6802 Yes! Dielectric grease around the spark plug end AND the top, where it seals against the block/head!
Had a little water in my number eight spark plug well got it sucked out wanted to come back is this video I knew you had mention something about this thank you very much we had a lot of rain recently in my car was parked at an incline just replace plugs and coils for regular service I'm glad I caught the water in there
I bought a 2000 Special Edition Crown Victoria in 2020 with one owner 142,000 miles. Now in May of 2022,It has 203,000 miles. Still drives fantastic, Still looks great. Everything works as it should. I did the P71 ECU swap. Best $10 I ever spent. Installed 3:42 gears with a trac loc. Never had one single issue with it.
I'm sorry but what is a ECU? What I see on the internet is not a $10 part so I'm not sure what you are referring to. Thanks in advance for your answer
The p71 engine computer management I think they meant, has no top speed limiter, a lil harder shifts, and a lil more aggressive on fuel etc. I've not heard of this but after watching and reading so much on these panthers the p71 is not tge same as civilian models as far as suspension, engine tuning, etc. It's not like a banks tuner but I think it will be a small improvement across many variables. 8 hp here, 15 Ftlb torque, faster shifts etc.
Love my like new 2010. It’s by far the most comfortable car I’ve ever had. A wireless Apple CarPlay stereo was definitely a needed upgrade, and improves quality of life a lot. All LED turns/markers. Remote Start with cellular access. I wish it had the sunroof, but I may add one in the future since the framing is there.
These'll be nice things to know when i want to do more things to my '09 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, thanks a bunch!
I have 2 town cars and love 💕 this panther content. One is an 03 sleeper build.
Nice love to these cars!!
ive got 2 crown vics, ones a civillian model 2011 and ones a police package 2008. both are great cars! one of em has 360k miles on it and still has the original engine and transmission! panther platform vehicles are just very roomy, comfortable and safe to drive. they are big and heavy though haha so its like driving a land yacht (i personally like that tho.) I plan on keeping at least one of my vics (probably the ex police one since its my favorite) for years to come.
What year does the 360k have?
Love my panthers. I have a 06 Town car and 06 Crown Vic P71. Amazing machines that do everything well! My town car gets 23mpg+ at 75mph on the highway
My 99 Sig got 27 at 73. Non etanol. Required 91+ octane.
My newer one barely gets 23, and uses 87 10% ethanol.
Yup 22-23 mpg 2004 Ultimate town car. Best built american car ever made, Love the town car.
None highway is a different story...lol. 18-20 mph.
New to the panthers but I’ve been enjoying the ease of driving and ease of maintenance. My ‘04 grand marquis is named “Phoenix” because it survived a house fire while it was parked in the driveway. It then sat in a pasture for over a year, 119k miles, no keys and the headlights, grille and bumper ruined and a cracked windshield. Paid $200 for a locksmith to make 2 keys, I jumped it and the thing started right up!! Fast forward to now it’s been almost a year, everything is fixed up, not the prettiest but never needed any major parts replaced besides the battery and alternator (and the alternator was my fault!)
I got a 2006 Merc .. love it . everything worked fine. Cruz air . untill I hit deer this winter. . ...so so mad about my front end . now I got mixed matched hood .. and no air conditioning now. I managed to still drive lol with the same rad . slitly dented rad lol .
I found value in your video when buying my last sedan . One hundred thousand miles on the clock . It sat for two years for sale because the sencer computer in the steering column failed . Cost was $500 part with calibration specifically too Vin number . Perfect cruiser with 60/40 leather option .
Thanks for your tips .
T/C/E
Thank you so much for this very informative and very recent upload! I just snagged a deal on a 2009 Grand Marquis LS Ultimate without fog lights or steering wheel radio/climate controls and I WANT them! Thank you ever so much for telling me about the harness and the plugs available to enable the options!
Sir: I thought the 2009 model MANDATORY came with every option.
comment please. Automatic level option in the rear etc.
I purchase the 2009 in spring of 2009.
Looking forward to the headlight video. I have a 2003 MGM LS and love it!
Jon actually got the headlights in today so that video should be coming within the week.
Yes me as well i have a 2005 mercury, and a 2010 crown victoria.....
I'm interested on this one. I've had a bunch of these cars so have noticed differences. My 03 GM had the dimmest headlights, but 95 town car wasn't bad, but wasn't great either. Oddly after swapping with a front clip from an 06 after a wreck, the 06 GM's headlights are much brighter. Both of my 05 TCs with the H7 halogen bulbs were plenty bright, but a pain in the butt to service the bulbs. My current TC has factory HID lights and they are fantastic as far as brightness, but come with some annoyances. Occasionally they flicker over bumps, which is just the nature of the thing. What I find more annoying is that you can't flash your lights as you would to tell another driver their lights are off, as the HIDs take too long to come back up. it's a minor annoyance, but an annoyance just the same.
Thanks for the heads up about water on coil. I have a Crown Vic, and my yard is on hill.
Yes, more panther videos.
The water drainage problem is solved by removing the little door where it was running over unto the ignition coil, (right where you pointed).... three plastic in place clips and a couple three metal removable clips... Mine was completely packed with live oak leaves and decomposed tree droppings... solid chunk of dirt... removed with a vacuum and blower and now the water runs down the plastic shoot along the firewall as designed... and I hear tell in the cold climates the wipers will quit working when it freezes as the linkage runs thru the same channel... that ices
Car looks great
7:10 - those Duplicolor performance white paints yellow in the can - stick with the white paints I've used in some of my videos - they match much better
it is good to have the Merc socializing with the others lol
V8 rear wheel drive , column shift. What's not to like?
2.73 gear won't go into OD until 52 mph and shifts up/down often. I usually drive in OD OFF until I'm on a level road above 55 mph. Good for EPA window rating, sucks to drive it in the hills.
My other has 308 and the past one had 327.
Just wearing out the TC lockup clutch in OD. shutter, shutter.
Oh BTW, I think it was Ford Mechanic Macaluco that said the shutter is the computer modulating to smooth the lockup.
U forgot the sumptuous and accommodating "Twin comfort lounge" seating for 3 or 2 front passengers! Only in early 2000's did FoMoCo put two separate seats up front w/a console and automatic floor shifter. I believe that was only in the Grand Marquis LSE sedan. It was a little more sporty. But the "Twin comfort lounge" seating was standard on all Marquis as far back as the early 70's. It was basically a split bench seat (50/50%) with a small narrow fold down armrest located on the inboard section of each seat. And you could get a wide variety of styles, patterns, and executive upholstery on them. They came with cloth/vinyl, all cloth, all vinyl, and supple leather. The front seats were like napping w/your granddad in his old Laz-y-boy recliner. Those cars rode better than most of the more expensive competitors offering. Tis a shame to see them go.
I flushed mine at 110k. Definitely wasn’t smart. But, I was trying to save myself from replacing a torque converter/or rebuilding. Mine was shuddering bad going in overdrive. The trans starts to hate the old fluid in these. Saved me there. But Ik I hurt it other places a little….
Great video again!
michael coughlin detroit area just saying hey
I don't buy all that about not flushing.
Man my 99 lincoln is the best car I’ve ever driven. I haven’t drove many, but I think the engineering is very impressive
There’s impressive engineering and there is conservative rule-of-thumb design guided by trial and error. Panthers and Soyuz capsules are the latter. An Acura NSX and the Space Shuttle are the former. Reliability is to be found at the tail end of innovation.
I presently own 2 cars: 74 Challenger (daily driver from 74 to 79) and 99 Crown Vic (daily form 2001 to now) best advice for the Ford trans is drop the pan, etc, and install a pan with a drain on plug, then replace about 4.5 quarts every oil change.
The grand marquis 1998 to 2002 models are much better and better than the later models
@@fawzya1434 Do you mean the trans or entire car?
@@georgewetzel4380 I mean Grand Marquis and Crown Victoria
Good video for a quickie - I've owned and thoroughly enjoyed a 2005 Grand Marquis for about 11 years now. As I type this it's a 17 year old car. If I can amend your list, the LCM, or Lighting Control Module should be replaced if it's the factory original. They can start to fail and make you think your car is haunted. Having your headlights, marker lights and dash lights all go out simultaneously at 2 AM is not fun. Also, the A/C system ... if you have a refrigerant leak and can't find it, the evap canister is inside a vertical plastic housing - that's probably your culprit. It can be rusted out and you'd never even see it, even if you put the dye in the refrigerant, it might all still be contained in the plastic housing, at least for awhile. Last, I'd like to draw your attention to the one major flaw in the engine design; that goddam PLASTIC intake manifold. Doorman makes a good inexpensive direct replacement, also plastic, but a heartier formula. I'm surprised I've never seen a good 3rd party METAL intake for the Ford 4.6L, it's such a common engine with such a common failure. All that said and done, I love my Grand Marquis. It's a cliche`, but they literally don't make 'em like they used to. That car and the Crown Vic are the LAST, FINAL American V8 powered full frame rear wheel drive sedan. It is the beneficiary of all the sum total knowledge leading up to it. And it's like driving your couch. Oh, and one last thing, the stereo - I ran into the same problem, but it's not insurmountable as you said. If you have a Dremmel tool, cut away at the ductwork that's in the way (you'll know it when you get to that stage of installing an aftermarket stereo/DVD/GPS/ETC head unit like this car in the video has). Seal it back up again with two flat plastic pieces to "box it in", but air can still travel through the duct. Use paper or cardboard to get the shape of the pieces you'll need, then cut them out of any flat stock of plastic, and glue or RTV them in place. Then there's plenty of room for your stereo head unit. You're just re-shaping the plastic duct work behind it.
If you've got Lighting Control Module problems take it in and get it fixed by recall for free! I took it to a garage and had it replaced, it broke again almost immediately, then I got a letter and took it to the dealer. It's worked ever since, almost a decade.
Like the chevy Ford put a galvanized primer coat on the car that didn't allow the paint to adhere well. That why it doesn't rust as fast but if it is left exposed too long it will rust. Also you can fab up a cover to protect the number 8 ignition coil to keep water off it
LOL I put a touchscreen radio in my 98 marquis and it fit just fine after filing down some plastic 👍
The holy grail of panther mods, rear wipers 😂
Oh god just when I thought I ran out of modifications to make this comment comes along.
Rain-X and done. I'm 7 panthers deep, it works.
i used to have 03 p71 that i 5 speed swapped. i would consider building another. fun car with a stick
Iv been looking to get my first panther for the last year or so. Iv had 4 mustang gt's, but I'm getting older and I just want a comfortable car to cruise around in. I'll probably do 3.73s and a truetrak, maybe a few bolt ons and DEFINITELY retro fit some better beams, but they are over all just solid daily drivers 🤘
Iv crashed the town car 2x no damage lol
@@groyper6567 nice lol. I don't plan on wrecking one but, do we ever PLAN that sort of thing???
You AC guys, use that VOV, variable orifice valve, 4 seasons 38902. It will be @ 5* colder especially at low rpm and in town. Cools down faster too.
If youre really wanting meat locker temps, also use ES12a refrigerant. EPA approved. Used extensively in Australia, even by OEM.
Mine blows 43* on an 111*f thermometer day in the sun....AT IDLE. Never freezes up.
BTW, pull the blower motor and clean the AC coil.
If a model year did not have a later model option, don't expect the wiring to be on your older vehicle.
It could be a good project car for the channel there great cars with a strong following I'm looking for one myself
Ford in a Mopar garage, sacrilege. Lol just kidding, you guys are a breath of fresh air.
The blend door actuators are NIGHTMARES on those cars. I've owned 5 panther platforms, thankfully only had to change one blend door actuator.
Gotta do mine but waiting for spring, blows hot so I'm not too worried right now.
I found that the radio hole and the glove box had enough wiggle room to do it in an hour.
Your panther results might vary.
The electric blend door motors are terrible on all those Mercury products.
Really want to get one of these cars. Is there a way to block water and prevent it from reaching cylinder 8? I don't have a garage unfortunately
I own and operate 2 of those. '05 and '06
I'm glad you warned me about not flushing the transmission, I was just about to have mine done in a few weeks. Any particular reason it can be bad for it if you don't know the servicing history? Just curious. Awesome videos btw, subscribed.
A full flush could knock all the crap loose and kiss your trans goodbye. Drop the pan and change the filter. Drive a couple of thousand and do it again. Rinse and repeat for a third time.
You want to clean it slowly
I’ve got a 2003 Grand marquis in light blue and I just had my rain gutters repainted because the paint was coming off in the top rail of the rain gutter
@Daddy’s Money Garage
I don’t know if you watch Ford Boss Me on CZcams he drives one of those Panther Platforms. Just recently when he called it that it baffled me that I never knew that. Lol. I’m a Chevy guy though.
Now I think there should be a Pink Panther edition.
One of the last rear drive V-8 cars cheap and plentiful
picked up my daily driver 01 grand marquis $600 been great car also have an 08 p71 has sct tune port/polished heads shift kit then 4:10 posi fun car around city not so fun hwy
Kenwood wo cd player no touch screen is bout 4inchs deep fits like a dream
I sort of want one now
Get them while they’re semi-affordable lol
Want good tunes on a budget. Go raid a towncar with the upgraded radios. Factory amp, subwoofer, and molded "subwoofer box". Take the door speakers as well.
Where is the subwoofer hid?
My daughter has an 03, and hers cuts in and out. I'd like to either fix it or pull it and swap it.
@@anthonydilligaf823 the amp is behind the rear seat, passenger side. The sub is in the center of the rear package tray.
Where could I get a front bumper like the one on your car?
Best car there
These cars are the best! It's that time of year again for ice cold air. Not a big fan of the 06 and newer Grand Marquis' tho. 2003 is definitely the best year.
But they are all the same car from 03-11 :P. Yeah I know, there's slight changes in the grill and headlights in the GM and the steering wheel and instrument cluster, but really I'll take any 03+ model. Have an 03 GM with the 06 front end on it, and 2 05 TC's and an 06 TC.
When you put in the blind spot monitoring, please make a vid? I have a '95 Lincoln Town Car & even though I kinda got angry at it, I kinda don't have the heart to get rid of it. My current driver is an '06 Chrysler 300 C w/a Hemi. Doesn't get NEAR the mileage as the 4.6, but the power is awesome! 😁
The microwave sensors are already installed, theyre behind the rear bumper cover. We just have to finish wiring it up and installing the indicators but we need the free time to do it lol. Maybe Ill do a video on it and take the rear bumper off to show if enough are interested in that.
Yes please@@DaddysMoneyGarage
It's super interesting that you painted the engine cover a super bright color.
That says a lot, without saying anything. 🤔
I didn’t do that lol
Just bought an 09 Merc, gran marquis white, like your
Is the break pedal and gas pedal HIGH up from the floor?
Need to lift your foot up (like a truck) to apply the break?
I have a question about flushing the transmission and giving it a shorter life if it’s been done before. I admittedly don’t know much about cars though I do understand how engines work and cooling systems and the overall function better than most people. Are you saying that about the transmission flush because there needs to be some bonding between the lubricants and the gears… and if you flush it out you flush out that bonding that’s taken place? It sounds similar to how my motorcycle mechanic was describing to me how the oil systems work.
If a flush has been done according to the factory mileage intervals, its no problem. However that practice is not as common as engine oil changes because the intervals are much longer and people forget to do them. So if someone buys a car with say 100,000 miles on it and thinks they'll change all the fluids first to get it up to date with their ownership records, a lot of times they'll think to go get the transmission flushed.
However if it wasn't done regularly like it should be, the dirty fluid is acting as friction material and in some cases a leak sealant. Flushes generally involve a pressurized machine forcing fluid through the converter. If that dirty fluid is removed, the transmission could begin slipping because of the friction difference between the old and new fluid. The pressure from the machine can also dislodge deposits from the old fluid that were otherwise sealing leaks and create issues ranging from internal leaks to clogged passages in the valve body if those deposits don't make it to the pan.
so rule of thumb, don't flush a high mileage transmission you don't know the service history of. Just drop the pan, replace the filter, and replace the fluid held in the pan to retain the friction material in the majority of the fluid.
Ask me how I know.
@@DaddysMoneyGarage LOL, I think I know how you know. You learned the hard way! Thanks for clearing that up. It sounds like the same principle that was described to me. I can definitely see myself starting to do a little more work on my car myself, besides lightbults, with this Grand Marquis I'm buying tomorrow.
I own an '04 Town Car Ultimate and an '05 Grand Marquis...owned both since day 1. Love them both, never had any major issues...you left one issue that is somewhat common, occasionally the 4.6 will blow a spark plug out of the intake and if you're lucky it won't take the threads with it. Also, the blend door actuator will almost always fail, not extremely difficult to fix, there's a couple good YT vids on it. Now, about your blanket statement about flushing the trans, what was your source of info regarding that? I have been a mechanic for nearly 45 years and I can confidently tell you it will by no means hurt a transmission. If it happened to yours, that trans already had a problem. I do however believe it's a waste of money, just do a fluid & filter change every 30k or so. Good video though educating the new panther owners on how good and reliable these cars are IF you are consistent with maintenance on the motor AND the rest of the car.
I took my Ford to a trans flushing place and they didnt have the right fluid but instead put an additive in it to change the specs, I was pissed. could be the source of the issue, mercon and mercon V is not the same.
Idk about all but I've peeled the vinyl roofs off a handful and have not found galvanised yet. All was in some degree of rust. If it is it's not that we'll done. Held a round stock of brass to weld up holes for roofs and welded fine. Don't 4 get the AC drain will rot out pass side frame. My 99 did so I added a foot of hose and connection and rerouted. Spray all cavities with ospho to kill and protect from rust and use Eastwoods internal frame to paint inside so frame and body will not rot. Fill doors with mineral oil and tape drains to stop that rust. All rust cause of the foam Ford used. I roped out all I could get to. Ospho is urr BFF.
Fill doors with oil and tape the drains? Scary.
@@danielj.rodriguez8621 No. Not at all. Just fill up a couple inches and let it soak. Then drain and save. Same as changing urr oil and easy. Use baby oil or mineral if u don't want the smell of trans fluid. Idk where u reside but in rust country rust proofing is a must or urr auto that is paid off will now days either be scrapped cause it's mechanically junk or rusted out.
What size wheels are those?? Looks good!
18”
I agree 100% - worst headlights I've ever had on any vehicle in nearly 40 years of driving
Especially in the rain at night! It’s like no headlights at all. I’ve replaced the bulbs with silver star ultras and the formula-j87 headlight relay and still horrible!
which panther? I said it in another post somewhere, but my 03 GM had crap headlights, but far from the worst I've had to deal with. they got a lot better when I had to put a front clip from an 06 GM on the car after a wreck. Of my town cars, my 05's have some of the best headlights I've had, and my latest, 06 TC has the factory HID lights that are really good.
@@johngaltline9933 all of mine are police interceptors
@@WJHandyDad Only experience I have with that is a friend with a 03 PI and it's lights were fine ,nothing special, but bright enough.
@@gtamonkey3061 Im having this same problem on my 99 Crown Vic. I was going to put better lights in it so Im glad I read your post first. I was going to replace the whole assembly so I have a perfectly clear lens first though. Are your lenses clear?
👈👈Love these cars my 01 is garage queen. What is the info on those wheels please. Would look perfect on mine thanks!
I am 18 years old and i am interested in a grand marquis and right now I can’t afford at least in reasonable condition and hopefully i could find a decent one once i can afford one. Many people i know like to fun of grand marquis and I don’t blame them. I see the grand marquis as like a luxury 4 door mustang but slightly slower.
I've owned both, 3 Mustangs and 6 Grand Marquis. A Grand Marquis is not slightly slower than a Mustang but a lot slower.
@@neilouellette3004 lol yeah just a tad bit slower by the way is there any year grand marquis that i need to avoid and any problems with any model i am hoping to find newest grand marquis like a 2011.
Subscribed . make the video for the headlights!
Jon just got the headlights in today so the video should be up within the week!
@@DaddysMoneyGarage cool deal. I have an almost identical 2012 MGM "ultimate edition" in white....that's been getting modded bit by bit.
1 of my My cop tube fills with water on my stang when it's on an incline !
man i need some parts from that 64/65 dart
I have a 2005 used Ford Crown Vic LX Sport. 177500mi. I had to make some repairs, service. New all season Goodyear tires. New Die Hard battery. New S belt. New double platinum Bosch spark plugs. New rear pass window assembly. New radiator hoses, new thermostat. The car runs strong but the AC, driver door lock, rear pass window need fixed.
Sounds like a lemon specimen.
Hopefully these cars are still old enough that you can add accessories by just plugging into the factory harness and they will work. On the newer mopar stuff any added accessories have to be taken to the stealership to be programmed in the computer. I put a set of fog lamps on my 2011 challenger and it had the factory wiring for it I installed the lamps and the switch but then I had to take it to the stealership to have it programmed so they would work, that cost me more than the lamps and switch.
For any options that need to be activated, you can download ForScan to any laptop, plug it into the OBD port of the car, and activate the option very easily.
ForScan is cheap and anyone who owns a Ford product should have that software. It’s the exact program the dealership uses.
@@DaddysMoneyGarage I wonder if this would work on the mopar products? Not the ford program but I wonder if you can get one for mopar. Great to know! Thanks for the information!
I bought a LS for 900 and it has 131000 miles on it and runs great it just needs shocks and some new vacuum lines
Oh and it is a 2003
What front bumper is that
the part whereyou said the water builds up and shorts out the coil. Just put a paper towel right under the hood where it would pool up and changeit eventually!
i have a 1999 mercury grand marquis LS so i watch as many videos as i can 78.000 miles
The best model I had was from 2007 to 2019 and I walked 400,000 miles in it, strong and good, and better than the new models, I advise you to keep it
Which wheels are those? They look good on that Merc.
2018 Mustang optional wheels. 18”
I see your performance white peel, and raise you harvest gold peel
Wait why don't you want to flush the transmission?
It wouldn't be hard to build a shield to divert the water away from that coil.
The exception to the wiring harness being universal is some police package(p71) cars but a lot of the plugs ARE still there.
A piece of tire inner tube set over it.... 🙄🙄🙄
A windshield wiper strip to divert the drip away from the coil?
What year mgm had the volume control steering wheel? Been looking but no avail in finding one.
They’re rare. They were only on Ultimate Editions. This wheel I think was available from 2004-2011
You can get one off a town car I have a 2006 town car it has it
My 04 Ultimate has it. MGM horn buttons work on a TC wheel of needed.
I think that might be Oxford White...
I also disagree on your assessment concerning flushing the transmission. How is clean fluid going to harm a healthy transmission ? Keeping old fluid will certainly compound the wear because old clutch disk material will continue to be circulated.
A flush without removing the pan will just stir up the bits that have settled down. You will have shavings instead of lubrication at the gear faces. Bad juju for ANY transmission.
It's the First of many Evil deeds..
ECM, Sensors?🤔, Air bags,
Seat Belts, ABS, HID headlights, Ford stuffs,
EFI,...
Either way ... Content
Thanks Austin..
Keep at it..
P.s. Glad Yours Dads bought you guys Uncle Tony's garage..
😮
I bought a 2004 Crown Vic with the rust package guaranteed for as long as I owned the car (because I knew the car would sit for long spells while I worked out of town) & the company went out of business...I now have a 20 year old car with 42,000 miles (70,000 Km.) on it looking like a rust bucket. Does anyone know of a recourse I can take? thank you.
throw some weather stripping on the hoodline
PSs I added the aluminum driveshaft and a forged input shaft and spider gears and and and 👍👍👍✌✌✌
Hey I have an '04 MGM and bought an aluminum driveshaft, made my own spacer, now I need the correct u-joint. I'm a bit confused on what size to get. Any tips?
@@aboomalacani5829 I'll get back at you / I always used a local drive shaft shop for sizing and have them balance it after/ it was worth it / I used a cut off saw before and made them but they failed me !
Ok. How did they fail? Reason I ask is, I would think as long as the spacer was balanced, it would be ok. Thanks!
Lights are cool had a set for my crown start to get milky harness started acting had to take them out because headlight revolution stop selling the lights and the harness
If you had the weird xenon projector housings from like 10 years ago, I remember those.
They were branded Starr HID, right ?
You can probably get a new harness but you'd have to have your lenses reconditioned and sealed.
(Fun fact, Headlight Revolution used to be BlackTopRacing doing Fiero & 350z stuff before they focused on trucks and lighting. Chris had a beautiful 1988 GT but he sold it a few years ago)
Ps I'm on my 5th automatic trans
The paint you need for this car is vibrant white not bright white. I bought bright white touch up paint and it didn't come close. Something with the paint why Ford/Lincoln does this I don't know. it's vibrant white paint. Same steering wheel on my Town car. I did have to change the clock spring because of ground issue. I could use speed control but not the other buttons. Also it didn't light up at night did that work through the dealership. The transmission I drove it till a 100,000 miles. After that through the dealership every 50,000 miles. Plus antifreeze. No problems no regrets. Once you work the transmission fluid a certain way you have to keep it that way for the life of the car.
what’s the link for the headlights?
I actually built them for Austin a couple years ago.
It's a basic bi-xenon projector retrofit. He has 6000k bulbs running at 35w. I prefer 3800-4300 kelvin because the bluer color you get at 5000+k isn't as good in the rain.
I'm waiting on some more parts to show up for a video on building them (hopefully FedEx doesn't send this package to Georgia after it drives past my house like they did with that fuel cell a while back).
- Jon
Funniest thing about my 06 is that it’s really a GS but some insurance company redid the interior 😭 half the features dont work because the interior is from an ultimate
Did the dealer put the 1/2 cloth roof on the GS model 2006.
not as bad as a grand prix the fog lights light up more than he headlights and high beams
The only reason water is coming out of that wiper motor compartment is because the factory drain is clogged check it out
I have cleaned it out, I should have mentioned that little problem in the video to clear that up.
After the first one went out, I checked the area when the second one went out. Water pooled up and was able to run down on top of the engine. Started parking on a flat surface any time the car sat for an extended time and I haven’t had the problem since.
Are you trying to give uncle tony a stroke an heart attack by bring a ford in his shop jk
The cars that were built in Canada were primers and put outside in the snow the rain and sun. Then they would bring them inside and paint them. Made for a crappy paint job lol.
That might explain a thing or two, as I never saw this on any of my panthers. both of my white Towncars were built at Wixom. though my tan/brown 03 GM never had any paint issues.
To each their own but plz paint the engine cover white or back to stock. The yellow just smacks ya en the eye
That was the point lol.
Honestly I don’t go under the hood much so every time I pop the hood I’m like, “oh yeah I did that.”
You discover the fuel shut off switch in the trunk yet
Yeah, you can give these cars a good kick in the rear quarter and shut them off lol.
Lol yea or two 12 inch subs
The 1998 to 2002 models are much better and better than the later models
Any experience with the 97 and older models? I've never had the 98-02 but I imagine they ride nice and smooth like my 95 TC did. The 03+ doesn't ride quite as well, but it's still better than anything else on the road. I do think the 03+ look better, especially the town car. As far as what is better, there are only two changes that don't involve styling. A: 03+ switched to rack and pinion steering which slightly changed the suspension geometry which led to B: the hubs and rear axle are about 4 inches wider/further out, so the wheels have a much shallower offset to give them the same footprint. I'd agree that the 02 and older models ride smoother, but aside from that there isn't anything 'better' about them and the improved steering is nice. I loved my 95 TC, but the steering not being sloppy on my 05 is also great.
what about the fog lights in the pic???
Looks like that's some 2008 JJ Abrams-style lens flare happening.
(Austin still hasn't gotten around to doing the fogs. The projector retrofit kinda back-burnered that mod)
My 07 Palm Beach edition has chrome mirrors, fog lights, adjustable pedals, traction control, leather with side air bags, and a friggin "keep alive voltage too low" code. My headlights and cornering lights are fine; i can ghettoize it myself, but i need help with that lousy CODE. You gonna make any real troubleshooting videos, or just these bolt on things?
The code for the door on an 07 should be on a sticker behind the driver side front door panel.
I'm trying like hell to find a decent one of these in the Austin area right now..... Most are either clapped out or they want foreign aide level money for it.
They got stupid expensive lately. Just bought the cheapest town car I could find and had to go 300 miles out of my way for it while already on a 500 mile trip. turned out to need a lot of work, think it might be a floor car. All that to say, I paid 5k for this one two months back now. The one I bought 3 years ago cost me 1500 bucks and was in better condition.
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