Transferring Marauder package to a GMarquis?

[gamercfan]

Hi: I bought Bill Hall's wrecked KB MM (See thread in Community Forum for further details). I am considering simply transferring all the goodies to a 2003 or newer GM. Is this a straight up bolt on job? As anyone else done it?
Will be replacing the interior, gauges, etc.; think the wiring harness on the GM will accept or will I have to pull the harness from the MM?

Someone had mentioned about making sure the GM had an air ride suspension...know which ones did? If the GM does not, can the MM suspension be attached?

Any thoughts would be appreciated...

Thanks for your help
Robb Kiker

[SergntMac]

I've learned a lot about the Kenny Brown cars, and IMHO, transferring all the goodies to another Marauder is your easy button. Nothing Kenny did required any cutting, trimming, or fabrication to the base car.

There have always been small differences between the Gran Marq and the Marauder, not including the improvements/changes to the GM in later production years. I've been through the Big Red Book (Helms manual) and it appears a minefield of frustration. Could be quite frustrating for you, depending on your level of skill.

I suggest you visit a local L/M dealer and ask them to let you page through the two Helm's books for the '03-'04 CV/GM. The Marauder differences appear at the end of each chapter. This should give you an idea of what to expect in the change over.

Besides, if you "cloned" another Marauder, it's still a Kenny Brown car, a very unique automobile.

[Bowman9]

I'm guessing your swapping the engine also?
Marauder DOHC
Marquis SOHC

[KillJoy]

I think the 03+ cars have Rear Air Suspensions.

I also agree w/ Mac regarding thumbing through the manuals.

KillJoy

[DEFYANT]

I agree w/Mac.

I did a complete swap from a 78 Monte Carlo to a 79 Monte Carlo. Although they a very similar on the out side, Chevy made lots of changes to the car under the surface.

Stick with an 03 Marauder and make the swap.

[Rider90]

Nothing Kenny did required any cutting, trimming, or fabrication to the base car.
Except cutting the front coil springs.

[MarauderMark]

The MM drive train was done to an 04 cv.Never heard any to a gm.

[BK_GrandMarquis]

It should work without a problem. Dennis Reinhart did it to a CV. There isn't much difference except for maybe the different wheels on the Sport package.

The Grand Marquis with the Handling and Performance Package (HPP) has the air ride. I believe there was another package that had air ride too. Something like LSE or Ultimate package, which had a floor shifter. A normal Grand Marquis with HPP used to only have a column shifter. Your bet bet would be to get a brochure or look on the Ford/Mercury website for specs.

You will probably have to swap the wiring harness from the Marauder to get everything to work. You should take as much from the marauder as possible and just install it in the Grand Marquis. Taking a shortcut is not a good idea when doing major swaps.

[SergntMac]

Except cutting the front coil springs.And the rear bump stops, but I presumed these KB items would be brought over in the swap, therefore, no cutting, welding, or, hacking up the base car.

(Ummm....Let me see, did I sphell everything correctly? )

[BigCars4Ever]

It will be a very straight forward swap. The rear air suspension is an option on Grand Marquis and can be found in some of the higher end LS cars. The front facia and bumper are different and must come from a Marauder to fit together. The center console will require some fab work too.

[SergntMac]

There's a thread here somewhere, of a 300A for sale in Iowa for 13,999. 100K miles, but so what. Swap the power train and KB goodies, sell off the 100K mile stuff.

If you do, I'll take the engine and tranny from the 100K mile Marauder.

[StevenJ]

As long as the Grand Marquis is an 03 or newer it will be a straight bolt in job. 02s and earlier will require significant modifications but 03s+ will be straight bolt in. There are a few guys on a Crown Vic.net who have put Marauder drive trains into 03+ Crown VIctorias. So yeah, it's not too hard as long as it is an 03+ car. The old frame isn't built to accept the DOHC motors.

[MarauderMark]

As long as the Grand Marquis is an 03 or newer it will be a straight bolt in job. 02s and earlier will require significant modifications but 03s+ will be straight bolt in. There are a few guys on a Crown Vic.net who have put Marauder drive trains into 03+ Crown VIctorias. So yeah, it's not too hard as long as it is an 03+ car. The old frame isn't built to accept the DOHC motors.
I wonder if the swap can goto an 05/06 gm.Be the first to have 05/06 Marauder.

[Blackened300a]

I wonder if the swap can goto an 05/06 gm.Be the first to have 05/06 Marauder.

Now we are talking Im kinda liking the rear tail lights of the 06 GM

[Rider90]

Now we are talking Im kinda liking the rear tail lights of the 06 GM
Yeah. Show us a brand new "KB MM" :)

[jgc61sr2002]

Now we are talking Im kinda liking the rear tail lights of the 06 GM



What do they look like?

[BK_GrandMarquis]

Not sure what they look like but I heard they use LED's.

[jimlam56]

Yeah. Show us a brand new "KB MM" :)

Cool project car! Find a Budget rental GM or CV that has reached its 36001m limit, and add your special parts...sleeper.:beer:

[SergntMac]

I see that the vote is in your favor. '06 GM it is then, best get busy on it now, 'cause the '07s are just around the corner.

[wchain]

Rear air was available in high line cars from way back.

Heres the rear of a 06
http://i15.ebayimg.com/01/a/07/4f/38/6e_4.JPG


I think the 03+ cars have Rear Air Suspensions.

I also agree w/ Mac regarding thumbing through the manuals.

KillJoy

[the_pack_rat]

WTF ?!?!?!

Are those just clear reflectors on either side of the reverse lamps ?.

Don't really like the look of that at all.

Looks like something that got rear ended & was "pieced" back together ...... or even worse, is in the process of being "riced out".

"Yea yo ..... I already gottz me the clear flectorz' n chit but I ran outta dough.

Maybe I'll hit up my pops & see if he'll hook me up with the cash for da' tail-lights".



:P

[wchain]

Actually they're tinted.

[dave]

i have a rear bumper cover (black) for sale. Mabey you could use it?

[jgc61sr2002]

I think the 03+ cars have Rear Air Suspensions.

I also agree w/ Mac regarding thumbing through the manuals.

KillJoy


Air suspension was standard with the Handling Package.

[jgc61sr2002]

i have a rear bumper cover (black) for sale. Mabey you could use it?


Dave - Welcome to the MM saite.:D :welcome1:

[gamercfan]

Wow! great info.
To answer some of the questions:
Would not put any Marauder badges, bumper, etc., so to make a true sleeper...
Essentially would gut old MM and use the body of the GM.
Would transfer the entire drivetrain (tho the "Hall" MM only has 35k on the clock, wonder if that is 35k HARD miles....drag racing, etc. of course to get the same performance, I could not use the GM 4.6).

The idea of a 05 or 06 KB MM is interesting....tho alittle more costly than I had planned.