Back-up dingey thingeys

[Mike Poore]

:eek: Have you guys noticed there's a lot of stuff hanging out behind the rear wheels on your Marauders? After backing the MM into the side of the garage (twice) and scratching the bumper on the bricks (both sides) I'm thinking about adding those back-up warning sensors on the MM. They're on Barb's Aviator, also the Town Car loaner had 'em, and admittedly, they're annoying, but might save me from myself. How big a deal is it to add the factory units, or are aftermarket ones ok? Anybody done it? I'll duck for the first round of well earned s**it for admiting to my driving adventures; but solving THIS problem would end you guys having to look for ways to make sure I don't park beside you at the next Big Bats DOO.
:hide:

[RoyLPita]

All of the factory parts and labor would cost more than a small camera and a monitor.

Just my .02 and then some.

[Bluerauder]

:eek: Have you guys noticed there's a lot of stuff hanging out behind the rear wheels on your Marauders? After backing the MM into the side of the garage (twice) and scratching the bumper on the bricks (both sides) I'm thinking about adding those back-up warning sensors on the MM. They're on Barb's Aviator, also the Town Car loaner had 'em, and admittedly, they're annoying, but might save me from myself. How big a deal is it to add the factory units, or are aftermarket ones ok? Anybody done it? I'll duck for the first round of well earned s**it for admiting to my driving adventures; but solving THIS problem would end you guys having to look for ways to make sure I don't park beside you at the next Big Bats DOO.
:hide:
Mike,
It may be cheaper to buy several boat fender cushions to dangle around your MM before engaging in any difficult maneuvers. :D

Another solution that we used in the Army was to "Get a Ground Guide" before backing. :rofl:

[Mike Poore]

Mike,
It may be cheaper to buy several boat fender cushions to dangle around your MM before engaging in any difficult maneuvers. :D

Another solution that we used in the Army was to "Get a Ground Guide" before backing. :rofl:
Perhaps a tug to manuver the damned barge into it's berth. ;)

[Ross]

I was going to suggest some Pimp-O-Matic chrome curb feelers!

[DEFYANT]

:eek: Have you guys noticed there's a lot of stuff hanging out behind the rear wheels on your Marauders? After backing the MM into the side of the garage (twice) and scratching the bumper on the bricks (both sides) I'm thinking about adding those back-up warning sensors on the MM. They're on Barb's Aviator, also the Town Car loaner had 'em, and admittedly, they're annoying, but might save me from myself. How big a deal is it to add the factory units, or are aftermarket ones ok? Anybody done it? I'll duck for the first round of well earned s**it for admiting to my driving adventures; but solving THIS problem would end you guys having to look for ways to make sure I don't park beside you at the next Big Bats DOO.
:hide:
Mike, I was thinking the same thing. Does anyone know what this system costs?

[ultravorx]

:eek: Have you guys noticed there's a lot of stuff hanging out behind the rear wheels on your Marauders? After backing the MM into the side of the garage (twice) and scratching the bumper on the bricks (both sides) I'm thinking about adding those back-up warning sensors on the MM. They're on Barb's Aviator, also the Town Car loaner had 'em, and admittedly, they're annoying, but might save me from myself. How big a deal is it to add the factory units, or are aftermarket ones ok? Anybody done it? I'll duck for the first round of well earned s**it for admiting to my driving adventures; but solving THIS problem would end you guys having to look for ways to make sure I don't park beside you at the next Big Bats DOO.
:hide:
I have a color backup camera on my marauder that i bought from ebay for $50!! http://www.mercurymarauder.net/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=28 67 I use it with my avic-n1 pioneer nav unit so it kicks on automatically in reverse! You could get a small lcd screen for your marauder for about $100 if you didnt want to get a new radio!
Frank

[stock93cv]

If you do a GOOGLE search for "automobile reverse parking sensor" you will find a huge number of these things available. Aftermarkets start at about 40 USD (mostly from China) plus shipping, and can run up to over 200 USD. My Ford dealer quoted me 375 CDN, about 300 USD plus installation. That's the kind like the Town Car has--radar sensors mounted into the rear bumper. Supposedly, if you go the radar sensor route, you should have 4, not the 2 that many systems come with.
There's one system that places the sensor inside the rear bumber, sort of like a piece of dowel tucked up ahead of the bumper. The advantage is that it's not visible, plus you don't have a bunch of holes drilled through your bumper to mount the sensors (there are sensors that can be surface mounted, but then they stick out about an inch or so).
I am looking at them for The Beast and for my wife's Taurus, since a little dint in the rear bumper costs as much to fix as the cost of the reverse sensor unit (how I know--both our cars have recently been bumped from behind, leaving deep surface scratches--500 CDN each to repair).

If you find anything interesting, please let us know. the Ford unit sounds pretty expensive, since you can get virtually the same system for less than 100 USD. I'd be inclined to look in the big outfits (PEP Boys ??) that you guys have down there and see what they have/recommend. Nobody up here seems to carry the systems, which is a bit surpising.

Good luck on the hunt!

[Patrick]

Sorry still laughing over the title for this thread!! :rofl: :rofl:

[Joe Walsh]

Mike, It would be much cheaper to put those 'kid-safe' foam protectors for a fireplace hearth and glue them to your garage! :D :D :D
Maybe grease the rear bumper on your MM too!!! ;)

[Paul T. Casey]

I see the units all the time in J. C. Whitney, and usually on some sort of special. Although I haven't hit anything yet, this is the toughest vehicle I have driven to back up. I park about 100 yards away from everybody else at work, all by myself in the dent free zone. I've been here almost 4 weeks now, and I have yet to get it between the lines. Before anyone gets on my driving prowess, I can back a 32' fire engine into its bay, from the street in one manuver, not hit the walls, or the truck behind it, all without being able to see. I can back any of my boats (10 to 21 ft), my camper, my utility trailer, into my driveway, thruogh the yard to exactly where I want them in one shot from the street. About 1/3 of the time backing the Marauder in I run over the high part of the curb on the sidewalk. Maybe it's a nerve thing.

[Directedby]

These units, when first came out, cost around $300. Now, same units go for $50.

over 100 on ebay.

http://search.ebay.com/reverse-sensor_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsacateg oryZ-1Q26catrefQ3DC6QQsosortpropert yZ1Q26sosortorderQ3D1QQsorecor dsperpageZ50QQfromZR7QQnojsprZ yQQpfidZ0

[Patrick]

I see the units all the time in J. C. Whitney, and usually on some sort of special. Although I haven't hit anything yet, this is the toughest vehicle I have driven to back up. I park about 100 yards away from everybody else at work, all by myself in the dent free zone. I've been here almost 4 weeks now, and I have yet to get it between the lines. Before anyone gets on my driving prowess, I can back a 32' fire engine into its bay, from the street in one manuver, not hit the walls, or the truck behind it, all without being able to see. I can back any of my boats (10 to 21 ft), my camper, my utility trailer, into my driveway, thruogh the yard to exactly where I want them in one shot from the street. About 1/3 of the time backing the Marauder in I run over the high part of the curb on the sidewalk. Maybe it's a nerve thing.

I noticed!!!
:rofl: :lol: :lol:

[Bigdogjim]

Mike: Your not alone. As for me I have no problem backing as I am use to a much larger vehicle (45' motorcoach:))

Camera might be a better idea. This way you watch your reverse progress.

[MENINBLK]

How about a pair of these ???
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm/fa/p/pid/215/sc/2742

[Petrograde]

Another solution that we used in the Army was to "Get a Ground Guide" before backing. :rofl:

That only applies to Deuce and a Half and above! The MM doesn't quite meet that. :rofl:

I was thinking about getting one of those laser back up markers.

[Bluerauder]

That only applies to Deuce and a Half and above! The MM doesn't quite meet that. :rofl:
Looks like we have stumbled on a nickname for Mike's MM --- "The Deuce and a Half" :rofl:

You must have spent time with the light or airborne guys if you can remember the Truck, Cargo 2.5 ton. The old M35A2 started to disappear in the heavy units in the mid-1980's in favor of 5 Tons and HEMMTs. :D

[Petrograde]

Looks like we have stumbled on a nickname for Mike's MM --- "The Deuce and a Half" :rofl:

You must have spent time with the light or airborne guys if you can remember the Truck, Cargo 2.5 ton. The old M35A2 started to disappear in the heavy units in the mid-1980's in favor of 5 Tons and HEMMTs. :D

hehe,.. I spent too much time in the 101st Airborne. I always liked the 2 1/2 ton better than the 5 tons.

Just so I don't completely hijack this thread. I'm thinking about buying this (http://www.griotsgarage.com/catalog.jsp?&SKU=36801)

[Mike Poore]

How about a pair of these ???
http://www.autosportcatalog.com/index.cfm/fa/p/pid/215/sc/2742
Those are cool, Pete, and I've been using 4x4's for years to stop the cars. My problem is getting the %#$!^%$ barge into the garage past those stupid walls that hold up the house. I get the JC Whitney catalog or can look something up -on line. I guess what Roy-L is telling us, is: forget the factory ones, unless you plan to finance your dealer's floorplan for the next fiscal year.

;) Charlie, Joe & Gordon ---fear not, I've parked the MM up here at Snow Shoe Camp, for the winter, so we'll be traveling to Big Bats in Barb's Aviator or the 'Lil red truck.

:hijack: I know it's stealing my own thread, but there were a couple of guys at Kuma Station, Japan who put the tranny from a duce & a half in a '50's something Olds. It was bulletproof, but the shifts were a little ...um, stiff.:beer:

[Mike Poore]

If you do a GOOGLE search for "automobile reverse parking sensor" you will find a huge number of these things available. Aftermarkets start at about 40 USD (mostly from China) plus shipping, and can run up to over 200 USD. My Ford dealer quoted me 375 CDN, about 300 USD plus installation. That's the kind like the Town Car has--radar sensors mounted into the rear bumper. Supposedly, if you go the radar sensor route, you should have 4, not the 2 that many systems come with.
There's one system that places the sensor inside the rear bumber, sort of like a piece of dowel tucked up ahead of the bumper. The advantage is that it's not visible, plus you don't have a bunch of holes drilled through your bumper to mount the sensors (there are sensors that can be surface mounted, but then they stick out about an inch or so).
I am looking at them for The Beast and for my wife's Taurus, since a little dint in the rear bumper costs as much to fix as the cost of the reverse sensor unit (how I know--both our cars have recently been bumped from behind, leaving deep surface scratches--500 CDN each to repair).

If you find anything interesting, please let us know. the Ford unit sounds pretty expensive, since you can get virtually the same system for less than 100 USD. I'd be inclined to look in the big outfits (PEP Boys ??) that you guys have down there and see what they have/recommend. Nobody up here seems to carry the systems, which is a bit surpising.

Good luck on the hunt!
:)
There's, as you say, a bunch of 'em and since it's me who asked the question, I'll do the research. I agree, the ones with a four sensor array would work best for me. More later ... and thanks, everyone, for the help and advice. :marauder: Mary, this new Marauder love guy is way cool, thanks.

[MM03MOK]

:marauder: Mary, this new Marauder love guy is way cool, thanks.It was a failed experiment (he's supposed to be holding a Marauder Day sign, but I've added a better one. :lovies2: