I am a believer, HO HO HO!

[1Marauder]

Santa and all of you MM.Net members came together and conspired to make my 12 year old Marauder dreams more of a reality yesterday.

The rain cleared, the sun came out, and I called my local mechanic/tire shop to see if they were busy.

They were NOT.

So, I took the new Sparta Watts Link, rear Control arms, KYB's, mounitng kits, Addco rear sway bar, various rods, connectors, rubber mounts, etc... all down for them to ALL be installed. (The Front had been completed before Marauderderville XIII).

ABSOLUTELY UNBELIEVABLE!

I can honestly say, that when my son and I got into the car--and shut the doors, we could feel a difference! The car did not move/sway/shimmy at all. Doors closed rock solid and there was no hint that the car had been entered or touched (400 total lbs AND my son closes the door kinda hard). I even said to him, "Did you feel that? The car didn't move!" And we both started "wiggling" like spastic fish out of water- in the front seats- trying to make and feel the car move. AND IT WAS THEN that ALL the guys in the shop burst into laughter--and are probably still laughing at us today. Amazingly, we were not even off of the lift!

As there was crazy holiday traffic, I havent yet been able to truly test the radical changes. But in the 6 or 7 serious corners, 2 uturns at higher rates of speed, one small 70 yard drifting power slide, and the 8 sets of urban speed bumps, I can attest--as others have before me--that the "remake" is completely unbelievable.

Feels like the car shed 1,000lbs, 3 feet in length and 1foot in width.

Thanks to all who had avised over the years--and most recently to Chief455, Lowdenex, LIFESPEED and all others for recently responding to my queries.

For those who havent yet done this, below is the complete list of changes (note: legal and MM.net disclaimer; I am 50 and didnt want my car too low--didnt want it to look anything other than stock, didn't want a harsh ride at all, and I am not promoting nor pimping any one companies products over others, nor stating that I have any expert knowledge what-so-ever on anything ever--simply sharing the specifics for others):

Front
1/2 inch front coil cut and coil top flattened/squared = 3/4 to 1 inch drop
kybs + mounting kits
Addco sway bar
Lubable fittings/mounts
SBC Camber bolts (buy the suggested grinder drill bit too)
Car fixer alignment

Rear
Sparta Watts Link
Sparta control arms (upper and lower)
Kyb's and mounting kits
Addco sway bar
Rear lowered to match as front sits, approx 2 inch above tire.

The combined effect of these changes is truly exponential, amazingly unexpectedly, and far far far better than imagined.

As I started this, YOU ALL, Santa, some good fortune, all came together and conspired to make my personal 12 year long Christmas wish come true YESTERDAY!

Thank you all. Honestly and humbly, Thank you all.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

[Mebot]

Great write up! Let's see some pictures

Can't stop the signal...

[justbob]

Glad to here your happy. Lowering alone makes these cars way more confident in corners not to mention a better, less truck like look.

Recently I flipped the keys to a friend of mine who owns a small Speedshop to give her a work out and he said and I quote "This feels like one of the most well balanced heavily modded Mustangs I've ever driven!" With a huge grin on his face.


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[chief455]

I am proud to be mentioned as part of a happy moment
Enjoy the mods!

[WPG_Merc]

Sounds Awesome :beer:
Marry Christmas N Happy New Year

Hope you can make it to Louisville in April. :beer:

[1Marauder]

PS

Shout out to Sparta for a great deal on great parts, for supporting the site, and for answering all questions.

Took car out today to further test the suspension, and it is a completely different car/ride!
Faster grab and more linear straight pull off of line, no delay or waggle or shift of weight front to back, and transmission shifts feel crisper or more direct and even between the two rear wheels.

In turns the beast hold the line and most importantly does not shift weight or "load" side to side at all. Really holds flat and true at all speeds.

Wheels spin (burnouts) is easier, more controlled, and more direct. Controlling drift is easy now (previously I had to wait for the rear weight to shift /waggle and then correct for it).

Truly amazing all around.

AND I must say, the stock watts link and control arms looked puny and lame compared the the replacement parts: I was amazed the Stamped thin steel puny lame stock parts supported our big heavy cars at all.

[03blackvegas]

PS

Shout out to Sparta for a great deal on great parts, for supporting the site, and for answering all questions.

Took car out today to further test the suspension, and it is a completely different car/ride!
Faster grab and more linear straight pull off of line, no delay or waggle or shift of weight front to back, and transmission shifts feel crisper or more direct and even between the two rear wheels.

In turns the beast hold the line and most importantly does not shift weight or "load" side to side at all. Really holds flat and true at all speeds.

Wheels spin (burnouts) is easier, more controlled, and more direct. Controlling drift is easy now (previously I had to wait for the rear weight to shift /waggle and the correct for it).

Truly amazing all around.

AND I must say, the stock watts link and control arms looked puny and lame compared the the replacement parts: I was amazed the Stamped thin steel puny lame stock parts supported our big heavy cars at all.

Should be a perfect car after you put the supercharger on.

[1Marauder]

YUP. Big brakes first, then all blackout Vortec kit ��

[lifespeed]

Congrats! You've conquered the tail wag.

[8UWITH6]

Thanks for the inspiration. I gotta un 4x4 my wife's car this week. :)

[Logizyme]

That is the only way to set it up.

[daddyusmaximus]

Pictures would be cool, before and after. Also what tire and wheel combo, and does it rub with the lowered stance?

[MarauderMatt200]

could you post some pictures? Also how much was parts and labor total?

[1Marauder]

Pictures would be cool, before and after. Also what tire and wheel combo, and does it rub with the lowered stance?

Car doesn't rub at all (isn't close to rubbing at all, ever), and doesn't even look like it was lowered an inch as car was an inch too high from factory... So it looks stock. It still clears the parking bump/stops and everything as is not "low" at all. I didn't want it Lowered, I simply wanted to improve handling and make the fender wells "match" all the way around the tire. Check photo as it shows how it now looks symmetrical around tire.

Stock size front tire, 1 size larger in rear. NITTO Motivo. See my signiture for sizes. Just FYI BigBossApplesauce suggested the 555's -- and he was right. I'd buy the next NITTO 555's if I had it to do over again, as I don't drive in rain nor snow.

See photo attached of current height and tires.

Feel free to call me with any questions. Will pm my number.

[1Marauder]

Blew photo up as large as I could.

[chief455]

Grant, if you are going the ADTR / MO's Vortech route, you will never want a stock Marauder again.
Nice choice of mods, and sequence of doing them :beer:

[daddyusmaximus]

Car doesn't rub at all (isn't close to rubbing at all, ever), and doesn't even look like it was lowered an inch as car was an inch too high from factory... So it looks stock. It still clears the parking bump/stops and everything as is not "low" at all. I didn't want it Lowered, I simply wanted to improve handling and make the fender wells "match" all the way around the tire. Check photo as it shows how it now looks symmetrical around tire.

Stock size front tire, 1 size larger in rear. NITTO Motivo. See my signiture for sizes. Just FYI BigBossApplesauce suggested the 555's -- and he was right. I'd buy the next NITTO 555's if I had it to do over again, as I don't drive in rain nor snow.

See photo attached of current height and tires.

Feel free to call me with any questions. Will pm my number.

Not a big fan of cars that go too low. Looks just right. 555s would not work for me. I only have the one car, rain, shine, or snow. Only got the one set of tires too that came with it, snow tires. Good for now, but I won't want to run them next summer. The Marauder is a huge step up in handling for me. I've been in 4x4 trucks for the last 6 or 8 years. I think this is a better balanced car that my CVPI was, I can only imagine an improved handling car...

[Comin' in Hot]

KYB shocks front and rear, Sparta control arms and watts link, and Eibach springs, stock sway bars..... My other marauder has the same set up but has Addco sway bars, it's right it's harsh compared to the factory sway bars.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b335/Witman40/1691195E-49DB-4435-A7C1-E77695AE90E7_zps2drbtfc4.jpg (http://s22.photobucket.com/user/Witman40/media/1691195E-49DB-4435-A7C1-E77695AE90E7_zps2drbtfc4.jpg.h tml)

[1Marauder]

I would bet that the spring change (Eibach vs stock) are the major Change in ride quality (up and down-- harshness vs not) not the change of sway bars. The KYBs are a tad more firm than stock, but really only on the recoil or second bounce.

I Compared KYB w stock all other parts to KYB , 1/2 could cut stock springs, Sparta control arms, watts link, Addco sway bars, car fixer alignment etc... Side by side yesterday and real difference was only the side to side sway, wiggle, and body lean that were greatly diminished. Ride quality itself (bumps) was firmer, but also more true because of alignment changes.

Hope this helps.

[justbob]

Nice stance Derrick!
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/6071450fa8ffa025658500e85c8509 13.jpg

Looks just like mine.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/12e462aeb373eeccb11ea52f2b2168 6f.jpg


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[lifespeed]

I would bet that the spring change (Eibach vs stock) are the major Change in ride quality (up and down-- harshness vs not) not the change of sway bars. The KYBs are a tad more firm than stock, but really only on the recoil or second bounce.

I Compared KYB w stock all other parts to KYB , 1/2 could cut stock springs, Sparta control arms, watts link, Addco sway bars, car fixer alignment etc... Side by side yesterday and real difference was only the side to side sway, wiggle, and body lean that were greatly diminished. Ride quality itself (bumps) was firmer, but also more true because of alignment changes.

Hope this helps.

Agreed, far more likely to be the stiffer springs combined with stock-ish shocks. If you have no control over the shock valving you're pretty much hosed when it comes to suspension tuning and ride quality. If the only variable you can change is the spring rate all you can do is chase the fixed shock valving trying to match it with the spring.

[chief455]

I have to drop my 4 x 4 next year. These two cars sit perfect!

Nice stance Derrick!
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/6071450fa8ffa025658500e85c8509 13.jpg

Looks just like mine.
http://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/16/01/01/12e462aeb373eeccb11ea52f2b2168 6f.jpg


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[1Marauder]

UPDATE:

The Marauder guys N gals on MM.NET win again!

Took car out of storage (been raining 7 weeks straight) and OH MY he is even better now.

Front "settled" as many on here said it would and is now sits a full 1inch (maybe +1/8) lower than it did stock. 8 weeks ago is sat a full 3/4+ lower.

Went for drive and it was even better than last time in first write up.

Compare first photo to this one and you can see the 1/2 inch difference. It is PERFECT now. Still does NOT look lowered - but has more even spacing around around wheels arch vs tire.

Again 1/2 coil cut, with top of coil warmed and flattened like stock coil.

Some indicated that only cutting a 1/2 coil would not be worth the effort -- but I think it is PERFECT.

And again, the KYB ride is slightly firmer than it was -- but I expect this to settle in a little more too. I've only driven it 24 miles since all of the work was completed.

[1Marauder]

Full body photo--I think the rear is 1/2 low. I like it even :)

PS I left the photo's LARGE FILE so you could expand them and still ahve clarity.

[lifespeed]

Looks great! Don't be afraid to put some miles on it, these things are durable. It will make you smile.

[1Marauder]

You Live here! It started raining two days after installation, and had net really stopped until today! Besides, I've been driving the black one and scaring folks on the nearby freeway!

[lifespeed]

You Live here! It started raining two days after installation, and had net really stopped until today! Besides, I've been driving the black one and scaring folks on the nearby freeway!

Yeah, I've driven mine in the rain a few times. At least we don't have salt here, the True Evil. I am washing it today, lots of dirt. Folks still respect the panther on the freeway.

Good job!

[1Marauder]

I Like it, "Respect the Panther!"

Would be a great shirt and slogan!

[MOTOWN]

I like that ride height, looks perfect.

[1Marauder]

I like that ride height, looks perfect.

Thanks Brother. I was a little worried that it might not be low enough, or even worse, that it would be too low... I too think it came our just right.