NEW '05 Crown Vic LX Sport...some subtle changes

[TAF]

A new '05 just arrived today...I've put some pics in the Gallery of some subtle changes noticed for '05 like: new headlamp assembly, new exterior auto radio antennae, new steering wheel, different side mirrors (flat black), etc.

Check out the $30K+ sticker, as well....
http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/500/83IMG_1452.JPG (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/5178/password/263233a0dd0b5fe0053e90d33d4b6b a0/sort/1/cat/500)

[01 Interceptor]

I can't tell from the pic what's different about the headlamp assembly(looks the same to me.) :confused: I knew about the new steering wheel and the antenna (dumb idea BTW ruins the sleek line of the car.) :down:

I do know that '06 was the year slated for the "refreshening" of the body.

[RoyLPita]

The fixed antenna was meant for the GM only (people probably complained about having no place to put the "mouse ears" ball or AM radio reception w/the fabric top on). I have the 2005 brochure. I don't see anything different with the headlight buckets. The "skullcaps" have been flat black since the 2nd 1/2 of 2003. The steering wheel is like the one in the 2004 Taurus. One day they'll show up here where I work.

Just my .02 and then some.

[jakdad]

Does it use the MM tail lights?

[woaface]

The antenne looks...offical!

[FordNut]

I'll be having one of those antennas. I've been looking for a replacement for the crappy one in the rear window.

[gdmjoe]

... I don't see anything different with the headlight buckets.
TAF - Agree with RoyLPita; look the same a the 1998-2004. What are you picking-up on that I'm missing :dunno:

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/509/83IMG_1448-med.JPG

[Fourth Horseman]

Not wild about the antenna placement or the flat black mirror housings, but other than that I'd take one if I didn't have a Marauder.

[woaface]

Ahhh...much better.

[Amsoil_Dealer]

TAF - Agree with RoyLPita; look the same a the 1998-2004. What are you picking-up on that I'm missing :dunno:



I don't see it either. The ride height looks high on this one too. I don't care for the flat black mirrors either. These are form the CVPI parts bin to save a few $$$$..

Are these signal mirrors?

So one can get a 2005 LX sport but no longer a Marauder?

Don

[TAF]

Sorry guys...I'm not the CV expert...the sales guy Carl (whom you may be able to see his dapper self in the pics) came up while I was taking pics of the car and said "The headlamp assemblies have changed as well..." so I took the pics.

My bad if that's bad info....

[Agent M79]

I don't see it either. The ride height looks high on this one too. I don't care for the flat black mirrors either. These are form the CVPI parts bin to save a few $$$$..

Are these signal mirrors?

So one can get a 2005 LX sport but no longer a Marauder?

Don

Well... it might be that all new 2005's are coming out with the headlight lens cover misaligned with the side-marker/turn signal lens leaving a nasty gap between it and the bumper moulding.

[Amsoil_Dealer]

Well... it might be that all new 2005's are coming out with the headlight lens cover misaligned with the side-marker/turn signal lens leaving a nasty gap between it and the bumper moulding.

LOL...I noticed that too. That is pretty weak.

Don

[Donny Carlson]

Man, the paint on this car is better than on my MM. You can see Todd doing a funny squat and Carl's bemused onlooking.

http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/data/509/83IMG_1450-med.JPG (http://www.mercurygallery.net/mmnet/showphoto.php/photo/5176/size/big/password/12edb7ecd1545719e13d6dab7e921e a6/sort/1/cat/last1)


The tail lights sure look cheesy red compared to our MM's. Also, $31,600? Yikes! I notice an option is "laminated security glass" and it ain't cheap. Wha, is this to prevent somebody breaking in, wtf?

[gdmjoe]

... Yikes! I notice an option is "laminated security glass" and it ain't cheap. Wha, is this to prevent somebody breaking in, wtf?
That option came-out in 2004.

Crown Victoria year changes (http://www.crownvic.net/liquid/changes.html) reference.

[gdmjoe]

Well... it might be that all new 2005's are coming out with the headlight lens cover misaligned with the side-marker/turn signal lens leaving a nasty gap between it and the bumper moulding.
Ah come-on ... It's just FoMoCo's quality control / fit-and-finish shining-thru; they need that gap so that more of it shows. :D

[RoyLPita]

It's funny how the EPA estimates are different for '03-'05 CVs. 2003 had 18 city and 26 hwy. '04 has 17 city and 25 hwy. Now 2005 with 18 city and 25 hwy. BTW, I saw the EPA estimate on a CVPI and they get 15 city and 22 hwy with NO gas guzzler tax. I guess they are measuring this with the light bar on and maybe a full load of police stuff.

Back to the antenna. I wish it was power. This feature does not show up in the CV ordering guide.

[jgc61sr2002]

Back to the antenna. I wish it was power. This feature does not show up in the CV ordering guide.[/QUOTE]



Roy - I concur. If it was the antenna was power I would probably buy one.

[jakdad]

Back to the antenna. I wish it was power. This feature does not show up in the CV ordering guide.[/QUOTE]
You mean it's not power??? 31K + and not even a stinkin' $10.00 motor for the antenna???
:mad: :mad: :mad:

[FordNut]

Back to the antenna. I wish it was power. This feature does not show up in the CV ordering guide.



Roy - I concur. If it was the antenna was power I would probably buy one.[/QUOTE]
Are you sure it's not a power antenna? It sure looks like it ought to be.

[GordonB]

Hi,
Have you thought of buying a power antenna from the parts list for FOMOCO? I'll bet that a Lincoln MK VIII antenna or a Continential antenna would do nicely. Could even get one from the `used' parts places (aka junkyard). I have the powered version on my '90 MK VII and it still works fine -- does NOT go up/down every time I turn the ignition/radio on/off in contrast to General Motors setup.
Just a thought.
GordonB

[jakdad]

I'm sorry guys, but I'll stick with my Marauder in spite of its various and sorted problems. Ford couldn't tempt me with that even if it was PI. The only way they will move any of those, will be when the Marauders run out!


:rock: :rock:

[FordNut]

Hi,
Have you thought of buying a power antenna from the parts list for FOMOCO? I'll bet that a Lincoln MK VIII antenna or a Continential antenna would do nicely. Could even get one from the `used' parts places (aka junkyard). I have the powered version on my '90 MK VII and it still works fine -- does NOT go up/down every time I turn the ignition/radio on/off in contrast to General Motors setup.
Just a thought.
GordonB
I was looking into the MkVIII antenna project before I saw this '05 CV. The issues I see with the MkVIII antenna is in the angle of the bezel. It would have to be mounted high on the quarter panel close to the trunk lid in order to be straight when it is extended. That means it would probably interfere with the trunk interior trim panels somewhat. The '05 CV one is mounted so far down and back that it doesn't look great, but it probably fits without interfering with any trim panels and all the proper brackets would fit instead of requiring custom fabrication.

[jakdad]

Look at some of the GM motors and antennas.

[67435animal]

Ah come-on ... It's just FoMoCo's quality control / fit-and-finish shining-thru; they need that gap so that more of it shows. :D

Maybe so, but, it sure looks like both lamps are aligned exactly the same.

Bob

[TAF]

UPDATE:

I saw someone testdriving the Crown Vic pictured above today...they pulled in...the antennae was up...they shut the car off...it went down. Seems to me, that would mean it has a motor on it.

[67435animal]

UPDATE:

I saw someone testdriving the Crown Vic pictured above today...they pulled in...the antennae was up...they shut the car off...it went down. Seems to me, that would mean it has a motor on it.

Either that or there was another passenger in the optional 3rd seat located in the trunk.
:lol:

Bob

[gdmjoe]

Maybe so, but, it sure looks like both lamps are aligned exactly the same.
Quality Control means consistency ( even if it's wrong ), eh? ;)

[woaface]

Can I get it with a Marauder package? (Har har...you're giving it a package):lol:

[mdmarauder]

That antenna is awful. I'd rather live with the poor reception or get Sirrus.

[Fourth Horseman]

Can I get it with a Marauder package? (Har har...you're giving it a package):lol:

Ok, I know this is firmly in "never gunna hap'n" territory, but wouldn't it be nice if they'd put the 32v V8 we have into the LX Sport package? You could build around that, even if the car didn't get anything else the Marauder has.

I know, I know. Now I'm talking :loco:

[woaface]

No no no...buy a Vic and get a Marauder engine from Ford or E-bay...

[LNYTUNS]

I like it!

I bet that antenna picks up radio better than the internal glass one. It makes it similar to the power antenna from the days of the older GM. How can I get one for my MM, and will it fit?

How many ponies are in that car now?

[RoyLPita]

UPDATE:

I saw someone testdriving the Crown Vic pictured above today...they pulled in...the antennae was up...they shut the car off...it went down. Seems to me, that would mean it has a motor on it.

Well, I stand corrected. Of course, where I work, we don't have them yet and there is nothing in the brochure or the ordering guide that shows this. In a way, this is like the blind leading the blind.

Thanx for the update, Todd. :up:

BTW, the headlight gaps are for the adjustment purposes.

[woaface]

Really guys, get another one on the otherside and you'll be a LEO!

[Silver_04]

Maybe this has been discussed before and I missed it, but does anyone know if Ford is planning on putting the new 3V Modular engine in the Vic? It's just about as powerful as our 4V's.

Variable valve timing :bows:

[studio460]

No no no...buy a Vic and get a Marauder engine from Ford or E-bay...Yup . . . that's what I've been dying to do, too. I actually LIKE column shifters, and I also really like front bench seats (so you can get closer to your sweetie, and seat six instead of five). Plus without the center shifter housing, you then have all that room for police radios and stuff!

P.S. Thanks, Todd, for posting those pictures. I REALLY like the new antenna thingy on the rear quarter panel of the '05 CV!

[RoyLPita]

I saw a few 2005 Grand Marquis' in stock near me. The antennas for them are NOT retractable. Who knows, maybe Ford will make a power kit for them.

Just my ..02 and them some.

[woaface]

Ha! That's what I thought till I realized that the coolness of a center-shifter is going to get her in the back seat!




Yup . . . that's what I've been dying to do, too. I actually LIKE column shifters, and I also really like front bench seats (so you can get closer to your sweetie, and seat six instead of five). Plus without the center shifter housing, you then have all that room for police radios and stuff!

P.S. Thanks, Todd, for posting those pictures. I REALLY like the new antenna thingy on the rear quarter panel of the '05 CV!

[Donny Carlson]

I was surfing around looking at shaved door handle kits (blame Marty) and found on one site a replacement hidden antenna kit that claims to be as strong as a regular mast antenna. The idea being, those who want to eliminate the mast antenna but keep reception, this thing was the trick. They also offered a retractable antenna. I will backtrack and find it and post it here.

BTW, this site also offers multichannel remotes to operate 1) remote start 2) car alarm 2) individial power windows 3) door locks 4) trunk release 5) individial door pops for shaved door handles 6) convertible top retract/extend. Pretty cool stuff.

Edit: It's Autoloc

http://www.autoloc.com/products.lasso

http://www.autothisworld.com/smallimages/hab.jpg (http://www.autoloc.com/detail.lasso?itemid=hab)
$69.00

HIDE IT! Getting rid of your ugly factory antenna is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to improve the looks of your vehicle. Autolöc's exclusive HAB Hidden Antenna offers all the performance and quality FM reception of an external antenna without breaking up the clean lines of your vehicle. Works as well as a standard antenna (except for AM) but without the unsightly rod and mast. The HAB is a great addition to any custom vehicle for an affordable price. Backed by a limited LIFETIME WARRANTY.

Get Rid Of Ugly Factory Antenna
Works As Well As Standard Antenna
Keeps You Vehicle Looking Clean
Limited Lifetime Warranty


They also offer a power antenna:
http://www.autothisworld.com/smallimages/pac.jpg (http://www.autoloc.com/detail.lasso?itemid=pac)

$75.00

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[RoyLPita]

A retractable power antenna would definately do these cars justice. I also saw something under the hood that I probably put too much trust in. The throttle body is now "drive by wire". This process also eliminmates the cruise control servo and moves the PCM near the servo's place. There is a Wrench light on the dash if the throttle body sensor should go south.

Just my .02 and then some.

[TripleTransAm]

The Corvette has been drive-by-wire since 1997, I believe. I recall this being one of the differences between the LS1 in the Vette and the LS1 in my 1998 WS6, back when I ordered it.

[RoyLPita]

I saw this in the Ford Fleet guide. There is a mid year change that might work for the MM. The trunk mounted 6 disc changer for the CV and the GM is deleted for an in dash unit.