suspension help for a CV driver?

[vonirkinshtine]

I have a hit on a Marauder that was totalled in a LF impact. My question for you guys is, to the best of your knowledge, what is the rate of the front Marauder springs? Also, would they lower a CV as well if installed? And are the swaybars also interchangeable?

[RCSignals]

I have a hit on a Marauder that was totalled in a LF impact. My question for you guys is, to the best of your knowledge, what is the rate of the front Marauder springs? Also, would they lower a CV as well if installed? And are the swaybars also interchangeable?

What year is your CV?
If it is at least a 2003 you should have no trouble. The MM front springs are basically lowered CVPI springs as I recall, so they should lower the CV some.

Will you be buying the whole Marauder?

[JMan]

All 2003 and up Panther chassis parts are interchangeable. I doubt the springs will lower your Crown much if any. If you have a regular L or LX, the whole shock/spring assy. will be a great addition along with the sway bars. If you have a Sport, the only real benefit would be the sway bars. An HPP or PI will have the same sway bars as the MM, unless they decontented them also! Although the springs are a little stiffer on the MM, the Sport is pretty close. You'd want the front shock/springs and the rear airsprings to keep it in balance. Both the spring/shock assy. and the sway bars are easy replacements if you have any mechanical acumen. Swapping springs alone is not recommended unless you have the proper equipment - "Danger Will Robinson! Danger!".

Good luck,

J

[vonirkinshtine]

I guess I should have said what year my car was in my first post, lol.

It's a 1999 CVPI. I have a friend with a B-body Impalla SS and I love the way his car sits. I thought that the Marauder was a bit lower/stiffer than the CVs so it seemed like a good idea to look into a suspension swap. The RAS though scares me a bit. I was hoping that if I did the swap I could keep the coil setup in the back. Unless someone has done RAS conversions in other panthers and they tell me it's not too bad, lol.

[djbruce26]

Honestly if you want your car lowered you should look into lowering car springs... Not that it's recommended by everyone but I know that you could also buy the HPP or PI springs and then cut them a little for some lowering. A switchover to the air springs would be quite difficult but you can go to www.p71interceptor.com (http://www.p71interceptor.com) and look for the page on spring information. It has model numbers, spring rates, etc for most year panthers and the various springs. If memory serves me correctly I don't think a 2003+ spring would fit into your 99. You are best off looking at buying springs. Again, more info at the site I listed and you can search around for lowering springs or just get some cut.

[fastblackmerc]

I have the original MM frt & rear sway bays if your interested. PM me.

[vonirkinshtine]

Are they larger than the -03 PI swaybars?

[2003_MM_FYRE49]

Are they larger than the -03 PI swaybars?
If your CV is a 1999 then the MM sway bars will do you no good. Your CV has a completely different suspension configuration than what the MM has.

[RoyLPita]

The rear sway will fit. It is larger than what is on the CVPI.

[vonirkinshtine]

how can the suspensions change so much? How is it different?

[Drock96Marquis]

A Marauder rear sway bar can be used on any 1992+ panther. The MM rear swaybar is the same HPP 21mm unit. THe front MM swaybar is the same as all 2003s, 28mm. Starting in 2004 the CVPI got a larger 29mm front bar, the civilian a smaller 26.5mm, and the Marauders/HPPs/Limos kept the 28mm. An 03+ front bar won't work on a -02. It is smaller than your -02 stock 29.5mm CVPI bar, anyway.






how can the suspensions change so much? How is it different?
Starting in 2003 MY, the panthers recieved hydroformed front frame rails and rack and pinion steering. As a result, the suspension was totally redesigned, and is very different than the 95-02s.

Look through some of these to get an idea:
http://www.crownvic.net/drock96marquis/2003shockchange.htm

[vonirkinshtine]

oooooooooooo, now I see the light! I get it!

I still don't see why the springs won't swap between model years. Are they different diameters or something?

I'm sorry if I sound stubborn but I really don't get it.

[Drock96Marquis]

THe springs on 03+ are mounted over/onto the shocks.

on -02, they are independant of the shocks, resting directly against the LCA and the frame.



Their diameters, length, and desing are completely different.

[vonirkinshtine]

AH HA! I see the light!

Ok, you guys weren't kidding, they really are completely different.

I've had the front end of my car up in the air before, I can't believe I didn't make the connection.

[gdmjoe]

dRock96Marquis ... Starting in 2003 MY, the panthers recieved hydroformed front frame rails and rack and pinion steering.
Minor correction ... 2002MY ( start of 2003 production ).

[Drock96Marquis]

dRock96Marquis ... Starting in 2003 MY, the panthers recieved hydroformed front frame rails and rack and pinion steering.Minor correction ... 2002MY ( start of 2003 production )


NO, Joe.

2002 MY = 2002 Model Year, produced from calender year mid 2001-mid 2002
2002 MY panthers still used the 'old' style front frame.

2003 MY = 2003 Model Year, produced from calender year mid 2002-mid 2003
2003 MY panthers had the new style front frame w/ hydroformed rails.


2002 Model Year was not the beginning of 2003 production, therefore they don't have the new front frame, obviously.
mid 2002+ 'calender' year was, and was when production began of 2003 Model Year cars.

[RCSignals]

............... The MM rear swaybar is the same HPP 21mm unit. THe front MM swaybar is the same as all 2003s, 28mm. ..............








According to Steve Babcock, and to RoyLpita /\ the rear anti swaybar is not the same as the CVPI, or HPP.
The front anti-swaybar according to Steve Babcock is the CVPI unit, which I understand is also not the same as all 2003 front anti-swaybars.

[Drock96Marquis]

According to Steve Babcock, and to RoyLpita /\ the rear anti swaybar is not the same as the CVPI, or HPP.RoyLpita is correct, the CVPI doesn't use the same rear swaybar, rather the smaller 17mm bar.
I never said the CVPI used the same rear bar, though.....


The Marauder, however, does use the same 21mm rear bar as the HPPs. You can go under your car and measure it yourself, or search your own forums on here to see. I have a 'Marauder' rear swaybar on my car, it is 21mm, riding on 21mm poly bushings......

Also, in Steve's MCM post he mentioned he thought your MMs used the T.C. Limo rear swaybar. This bar, however, is smaller than the HPP 21mm, at only 18mm.

http://www.p71interceptor.com/suspension/swaybars/rear/partnumbers.html



The front anti-swaybar according to Steve Babcock is the CVPI unit, which I understand is also not the same as all 2003 front anti-swaybars.2003 CVPIs, MMs, and base used the 28mm bar. Starting in 04 CVPI/Fleet got a 29mm bar, the MM kept the 28mm.

http://www.p71interceptor.com/suspension/swaybars/front/partnumbers.html

[Bradley G]

I took the rear sway bar off the Marauder and put it on the 2002 GMQ LSE HPP.
The Marauder bar was slightly thicker than the one that was on the LSE.