Tips And Tricks For The Ford Panther Platform(Crown Vic, Grand Marquis, Town Car) 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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.

These cars are rock solid we love them up here in Michigan.

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.

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

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.

V8 rear wheel drive , column shift. What's not to like?

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

These'll be nice things to know when i want to do more things to my '09 Crown Victoria Police Interceptor, thanks a bunch!

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!

I have 2 town cars and love 💕 this panther content. One is an 03 sleeper build.

Looking forward to the headlight video. I have a 2003 MGM LS and love it!

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 .

Nice love to these cars!!

Thanks for the heads up about water on coil. I have a Crown Vic, and my yard is on hill.

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

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 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 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

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

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.

Car looks great

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!

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 🤘

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

The holy grail of panther mods, rear wipers 😂

Yes, more panther videos.

The blend door actuators are NIGHTMARES on those cars. I've owned 5 panther platforms, thankfully only had to change one blend door actuator.

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

i used to have 03 p71 that i 5 speed swapped. i would consider building another. fun car with a stick

LOL I put a touchscreen radio in my 98 marquis and it fit just fine after filing down some plastic 👍

It could be a good project car for the channel there great cars with a strong following I'm looking for one myself

@Daddy’s Money Garage I don’t know if you watch Ford Boss Me on RU-vid 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

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.

it is good to have the Merc socializing with the others lol

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

If a model year did not have a later model option, don't expect the wiring to be on your older vehicle.

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.

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! 😁

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.

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.

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.

Ford in a Mopar garage, sacrilege. Lol just kidding, you guys are a breath of fresh air.

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

I own and operate 2 of those. '05 and '06

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.

Kenwood wo cd player no touch screen is bout 4inchs deep fits like a dream

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.

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 bought a LS for 900 and it has 131000 miles on it and runs great it just needs shocks and some new vacuum lines

It's super interesting that you painted the engine cover a super bright color. That says a lot, without saying anything. 🤔

Just bought an 09 Merc, gran marquis white, like your

I sort of want one now

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.

Subscribed . make the video for the headlights!

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!

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.

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.

Best car there

👈👈Love these cars my 01 is garage queen. What is the info on those wheels please. Would look perfect on mine thanks!

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

Where could I get a front bumper like the one on your car?

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.

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

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.

I see your performance white peel, and raise you harvest gold peel

i have a 1999 mercury grand marquis LS so i watch as many videos as i can 78.000 miles

Which wheels are those? They look good on that Merc.

What size wheels are those?? Looks good!

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

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.. 😮

throw some weather stripping on the hoodline

I agree 100% - worst headlights I've ever had on any vehicle in nearly 40 years of driving

PSs I added the aluminum driveshaft and a forged input shaft and spider gears and and and 👍👍👍✌✌✌

The only reason water is coming out of that wiper motor compartment is because the factory drain is clogged check it out

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.

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 year mgm had the volume control steering wheel? Been looking but no avail in finding one.

To each their own but plz paint the engine cover white or back to stock. The yellow just smacks ya en the eye

What front bumper is that

Wait why don't you want to flush the transmission?

You discover the fuel shut off switch in the trunk yet

Ps I'm on my 5th automatic trans

Are you trying to give uncle tony a stroke an heart attack by bring a ford in his shop jk

not as bad as a grand prix the fog lights light up more than he headlights and high beams

The 1998 to 2002 models are much better and better than the later models

what’s the link for the headlights?

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.

what about the fog lights in the pic???

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.

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?