Newbie with questions

[Rkammer]

Well, almost a newbie that is. I've been shopping for a MM for about a week and have been lurking and learing on this forum also. Makes it a whole lot easier to shop when you have this kind of resource to lean on. I have several questions:
1) What is the standard factory rear axle ratio and is limited slip (or, whatevever Ford call it now) standard from the factory? I though 3:55 with limited slip was standard but I'm not sure.
2) I'm aware that the BFG KDWS are the only tires available for these cars at the moment and that they don't last very long. Reviews on Tire Rack seem to be in the 20,000 range. One gentleman said he inflated his to 40 PSI and will now get 35,000 from a set. Can anyone confirm that this is a known cure for the problem?
Thanks for providing such a great forum. I'm looking forward to finding my MM and joining in soon. I'm currently a Buick nut and have a Grand National (my 6th) which I plan to keep. But I need a 4-door with muscle.:)

Ray K
Orlando, Florida

[RF Overlord]

Ray, welcome to the collective...

1) Yes, 3.55 with Trak-Lok (limited slip) on the '03 300A. The '03 300B and all '04s have the same with the addition of traction control.

2) Tire wear is very dependent on driving conditions...we got 30,000 out of our first set.

If you find a suitable MM, be sure to ask if the previous owner has had the alignment set to the correct specs (the factory specs are wrong), otherwise the fronts will be shot long before that.

[DEFYANT]

I have several questions:
1) What is the standard factory rear axle ratio and is limited slip (or, whatevever Ford call it now) standard from the factory? I though 3:55 with limited slip was standard but I'm not sure. CORRECT YOU ARE!


2) I'm aware that the BFG KDWS are the only tires available for these cars at the moment and that they don't last very long. Reviews on Tire Rack seem to be in the 20,000 range. One gentleman said he inflated his to 40 PSI and will now get 35,000 from a set. Can anyone confirm that this is a known cure for the problem? GOOD QUESTION

Thanks for providing such a great forum. I'm looking forward to finding my MM and joining in soon. I'm currently a Buick nut and have a Grand National (my 6th) which I plan to keep. NICE CARS!!!


But I need a 4-door with muscle.:) WELCOME ABOARD, YOU FOUND THE BEST SITE ON THE NET FOR THE MARAUDER.

The Marauder will fill the void nicely :)

[SouLRioT]

Now what you need to do is get over to the cassleberry meet on the 11th. Go and meet some of the local owners.

[DEFYANT]

Now what you need to do is get over to the cassleberry meet on the 11th. Go and meet some of the local owners.
A most excellent idea!

And the circle grows....

[RoyLPita]

Now what you need to do is get over to the cassleberry meet on the 11th. Go and meet some of the local owners.

What he said.

BTW, welcome aboard.

[jgc61sr2002]

Ray k - Welcome to the MM site.

[Rkammer]

Now what you need to do is get over to the cassleberry meet on the 11th. Go and meet some of the local owners.
Is that in the old Butler Plaza shopping center by the Arby's? We had our GN/TType meeting there this everning. Looking forward to meeting the local MM owners and picking brains about these cars.:)

[SouLRioT]

thats the place, MaLo03 is the man with the plan in that area.

[marauder307]

If you find a suitable MM, be sure to ask if the previous owner has had the alignment set to the correct specs (the factory specs are wrong), otherwise the fronts will be shot long before that.

RF, can you pm me with the correct specs? I been hunting for 'em.... :confused:

[ckadiddle]

Welcome. Buy extra tires. :)

[MENINBLK]

2) I'm aware that the BFG KDWS are the only tires available for these cars at the moment and that they don't last very long. Reviews on Tire Rack seem to be in the 20,000 range. One gentleman said he inflated his to 40 PSI and will now get 35,000 from a set. Can anyone confirm that this is a known cure for the problem?

BFGoodrich Forum...
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/servlet/Controller/site.forums.LoadMessages?discu ssion_id=.1dcec03a&topic_id=.1dce8370&curr_page=0&dest_page=1&view=show

Please read the explanation and understand it.
The KDWS does NOT have a softer compound in the center of the tire
as someone posted on the BFGoodrich site.
If you have questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
This has been covered in great length in many places on this boad.

I run my Front tires ar 38psi, and I have 31,000+ on the FACTORY Alignment specs.
Yes the inside shoulder DOES look as if it is prematurely worn,
but it is an illusion.
There is still enough tread to get me safely to 40,000 miles.
Today they measured .4 in the center and .3 -.4 on the outside wear bars.

My first set of rears I replaced at 20,000 miles because they had
.2" of thread left on them.
I don't like driving on worn tires.
My second set now has about 7,000 miles on them, I've run them with 40psi,
and they measured .7 on average all across the wear bars.
I should be able to get more than 20,000 miles on these easily...

I also have a set of winter tires/wheels as you can see in my signature.
If you speak with Ty from Tirerack, he can set you up with a winter set
if you get snow where you are.
It is cheaper to buy your winter tires now since they are out of season.

Buy your replacement KDWS in the winter, when the All Season tires
are out of season and a lot less expensive.

[Bluerauder]

My first set of rears I replaced at 20,000 miles because they had .2" of thread left on them.
Tire gauges normally show tread depth in Millimeters (mm) or in 32nds of an inch. :rolleyes: I assume the tenths of an inch that you are citing are really 2/32 ", correct?? Or is that 2 mm?? :dunno:

[Rkammer]

BFGoodrich Forum...
http://www.bfgoodrichtires.com/bfgapp/servlet/Controller/site.forums.LoadMessages?discu ssion_id=.1dcec03a&topic_id=.1dce8370&curr_page=0&dest_page=1&view=show

Please read the explanation and understand it.
The KDWS does NOT have a softer compound in the center of the tire
as someone posted on the BFGoodrich site.
If you have questions, I'll be glad to answer them.
This has been covered in great length in many places on this boad.

I run my Front tires ar 38psi, and I have 31,000+ on the FACTORY Alignment specs.
Yes the inside shoulder DOES look as if it is prematurely worn,
but it is an illusion.
There is still enough tread to get me safely to 40,000 miles.
Today they measured .4 in the center and .3 -.4 on the outside wear bars.

My first set of rears I replaced at 20,000 miles because they had
.2" of thread left on them.
I don't like driving on worn tires.
My second set now has about 7,000 miles on them, I've run them with 40psi,
and they measured .7 on average all across the wear bars.
I should be able to get more than 20,000 miles on these easily...

I also have a set of winter tires/wheels as you can see in my signature.
If you speak with Ty from Tirerack, he can set you up with a winter set
if you get snow where you are.
It is cheaper to buy your winter tires now since they are out of season.

Buy your replacement KDWS in the winter, when the All Season tires
are out of season and a lot less expensive.
Pete, Thanks for the detailed response, just what I was looking for. I usually run maximum ( or higher) tire pressures any way and I believe these tires are rated for 44 psi max. Fortunately I don't need to consider snow tires here in Central Florida (thank God).

[STLR FN]

Welcome to the site. You will find, as the rest of us have, that there is really nothing special about these cars called MARAUDER. :rolleyes:

Oh the silly grin automatically comes with the car, so enjoy.... wait... hate it, you'll hate it. Yeah that's right.