Close up pic of spotlight cutout on door pillar?

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Hi guys, I am going to install a driver's side black cvpi spotlight on the MM. If I ever do sell the car I'll have to fill the hole but I do my own paint work so I'm not too concerned about it.

Can anyone show a very close up pic of how large the C shape cutout has to be in the door pillar? I have seen some sloppy cuts on ex CVPI taxis, where the cutout is huge, but I want to do a neat job and cut only as much as necessary to let the door shut.

Thanks

Steve

[Black_Noise]

why dont you put a GM door on and cut that up

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Or just get a nice P71 door and find the Marauder moldings.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

It's much easier to have to do a spot blend on a small repair, on the stock door, then repaint a whole other door and try to match the peel to the rest of the paint. A factory black door from something else will not necessarily match either.

It's not like I'm cutting a hole in a hemi barracuda.

[Black_Noise]

you could still find a door from a donor MM

and as far a getting a picture i think you would have no problem over on crownvic.net or .com whichever it is

[Bradley G]

Does not sould like you are going to get help defacing a Marauder here. :help:
Especially after the mopar comment.:stupid:

It's much easier to have to do a spot blend on a small repair, on the stock door, then repaint a whole other door and try to match the peel to the rest of the paint. A factory black door from something else will not necessarily match either.

It's not like I'm cutting a hole in a hemi barracuda.

[O's Fan Rich]

The reasoning you're using ( hemi 'cuda) is the EXACT reason original muscle cars are valuable....
they got cut something fierce, back in that day.... after all they weren't '30 Dusenberg's....
It's your car though.....

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Nobody would (will) ever know after a proper repair but okay, whatever guys.

[O's Fan Rich]

Nobody would (will) ever know after a proper repair but okay, whatever guys.



I notice in your signature you don't like Marauder wheels on Vic's.... so,why are you trying to make your's look like a Vic Cop Car with a spotlight?

Oppps.. you edited the thanks for the "snide comments" comment.. so I'll remove the "you're welcome".

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

It's easier to step down than up.

The guys who are putting tons of miles on their MM's are devaluing their cars more than me making a small hole that can be completely reversed. And you don't hassle them for driving their cars......Mine has 31k on it. In 10 years that will help resale more than anything else you could do, or not do, to the car.

[Black_Noise]

:argue:

I will say i dont like it when people try to make thier car look more like a cop car, either with a light or a push bar (ive seen it on an mm). I really hate getting asked is that a cop car or somthing, and i would never to anything to make people thing it is. A cop car is 1-2 steps down in my opinion, the marauder IS stepping up.
:popcorn:

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I saw the push bar pics on this board, that was pretty funny. That guy had the wrong offset 02- PI wheels that stuck way out from the fenders, too.

[Pat]

FWIW, you might check with your highway patrol, some states don't allow spot lights on private cars.

[Breadfan]

http://www.partsamerica.com/productdetail.aspx?MfrCode=PNE&MfrPartNumber=64023798&CategoryCode=3092

theres a light

[hot-rauder]

i like the idea, just too nervous and way to lazy to do it to my own car!!

and he works for the gov't so i dont think they would mind if he has a spotlight

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

LOL I am a patent examiner, I am not cool enough to have street cred status w/ the po-lice.

[MM2004]

Be honest..

For what reason do you need a spotlight on your MM?

Mike.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

I just like the way it looks, I'm not going to use it or try to pull anybody over with it. I thought about making a flat bracket that the door can close on, without notching it, and just cutting the spot light shaft and welding it to the bracket. That way it would attach w/ a couple sheet metal screws and I could take it on and off if I felt like it. I already have the spotlight assy.

It's no worse than a lot of things people do to their MM's

[ctrlraven]

Cool idea, ugly out come. To each their own.

The Marauder is known for it's street sleeper looks, adding a spot light (just for looks) throws off the whole look of the car.

In 10 years I plan on to still be driving my MM, already had a nice offer of 16k for my car by one of my clients as it sits with 90K + miles, I could careless about the resale cause I don't ever plan on selling it.

If you do put the light on, just do your research and measure twice and cut once. GL!

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Thanks. 16k w/ high miles was a strong offer for sure. I don't think I am selling either because I love/hate this car so much. There are a few major problems I have w/ the design and execution of the car but I also like driving it, so I put up w/ them.

[dislexiclawyer]

I say that if you want to do it then go ahead. It is your car so do what you want with it. I know there are people who do a lot of horrible things to cars to make them the way they like (not saying this is you). So do what you want to make your car your own. I don't really understand the whole keeping the resale value of your car thing. I thought the reason you bought a car was so that it could be driven? That being said please don't paint it pink.... or put super huge spinners on it.

[offroadkarter]

I hope your not trying to become a whacker.

And dont even think about asking anyone on CVN for help, they'd eat you alive.

I dont see why in the world you'd even want a spotlight on, even if it is for looks. thought about duct tape?

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Are you kidding, I was on CVN the other day. There are guys with the old aero crown vics posting photo shopped pics of 2 foot long side pipes under the doors, asking "Does this look good?".

[MM2004]

I just like the way it looks, I'm not going to use it or try to pull anybody over with it. I thought about making a flat bracket that the door can close on, without notching it, and just cutting the spot light shaft and welding it to the bracket. That way it would attach w/ a couple sheet metal screws and I could take it on and off if I felt like it. I already have the spotlight assy.

It's no worse than a lot of things people do to their MM's

I am not criticizing you for modding you car. To each his/her own.

Do I agree with it? No.

Too many wannabe LEO's out there, and this wreaks as another one of them. Sorry.

You purchase a MM, then you want to make it appear as a CV?

That's another issue combined with the one cited above. (pun intended)

:rolleyes:

Mike.

[dreydin]

:argue:

I will say i dont like it when people try to make thier car look more like a cop car, either with a light or a push bar (ive seen it on an mm). I really hate getting asked is that a cop car or somthing, and i would never to anything to make people thing it is. A cop car is 1-2 steps down in my opinion, the marauder IS stepping up.
:popcorn:
you and me both, brother

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

Alrighty then, I'll make sure I post pictures of the install, with a nice how-to writeup. Be on the lookout. Nice talkin' to you, gents.

[larryo340]

Hey........Did someone call a TAXI :rolleyes:

[Bradley G]

I would pick side pipes over a spot light.

Are you kidding, I was on CVN the other day. There are guys with the old aero crown vics posting photo shopped pics of 2 foot long side pipes under the doors, asking "Does this look good?".

[fastblackmerc]

Push bar next?

[hot-rauder]

Alrighty then, I'll make sure I post pictures of the install, with a nice how-to writeup. Be on the lookout. Nice talkin' to you, gents.


i actually want to see it, good luck!

[03Farmmarauder]

I dont care what you do to your car but here is the deal I understand that you can not just buy a black door and put it on the car. I also understand that if you bought a door and put it on you would have to blend it into the rear door and front fender. Thats no good either because we are still talking about painting the car. If i were to take my MM to sell it and yours was there with a hole that had been repaired, mine will bring more money. People do not like repainted cars and deff. not one with a patch put over. The best of luck to you however. At least mine will go up in value!!!

[hot-rauder]

I dont care what you do to your car but here is the deal I understand that you can not just buy a black door and put it on the car. I also understand that if you bought a door and put it on you would have to blend it into the rear door and front fender. Thats no good either because we are still talking about painting the car. If i were to take my MM to sell it and yours was there with a hole that had been repaired, mine will bring more money. People do not like repainted cars and deff. not one with a patch put over. The best of luck to you however. At least mine will go up in value!!!

every post of yours talks about your car being worth all this money....

YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE APPRECIATION OF THIS CAR THAT YOU ARE EXPECTING!!

especially if you drive it everyday, or hell drive it at all.... rust doesnt care what your car is.

[03Farmmarauder]

every post of yours talks about your car being worth all this money....

YOU WILL NEVER SEE THE APPRECIATION OF THIS CAR THAT YOU ARE EXPECTING!!

especially if you drive it everyday, or hell drive it at all.... rust doesnt care what your car is.

First of all my car has no rust on any of the body at ALL!!! The car has never seen salt at all. Oh yea everyone said that the impala's would be worth nothing also. Well those cars are are almost 15 years old and they still bring for an avarage car with 100,000 pluse miles the 12-15 range. one with low miles in excellent goes for over what the car sold new for. Oh by the way production numbers were in the 67,000 range. Marauders in the 11,000 range. With the cars that are wrecked and then those who want to paint them red and every other color in the spectrum is going to make my car worth more. Marauders will be a collectors car along with the 94-96 Impala and the GTO's. If you do not think that the marauder is going to be a collectors car then dont wash the door jams, let them rust. Dont clean the carpets its no be deal. Oh and also if you think that his car with a chunk missing out of the door is going to be worth more than mine you are crazy!!!

[hot-rauder]

First of all my car has no rust on any of the body at ALL!!! The car has never seen salt at all. Oh yea everyone said that the impala's would be worth nothing also. Well those cars are are almost 15 years old and they still bring for an avarage car with 100,000 pluse miles the 12-15 range. one with low miles in excellent goes for over what the car sold new for. Oh by the way production numbers were in the 67,000 range. Marauders in the 11,000 range. With the cars that are wrecked and then those who want to paint them red and every other color in the spectrum is going to make my car worth more. Marauders will be a collectors car along with the 94-96 Impala and the GTO's. If you do not think that the marauder is going to be a collectors car then dont wash the door jams, let them rust. Dont clean the carpets its no be deal. Oh and also if you think that his car with a chunk missing out of the door is going to be worth more than mine you are crazy!!!


you crazy to believe that the car is going to sky rocket in price, considering the local dealers wouldnt take the MM in on trade simply because THEY CANT SELL A BIG V8 CAR. Yes, the car is a collector's item.... but only to a certain extent. with an econmy thats in the hole, and gas prices about to go threw the roof, the MM is not a practical car for many people. Did you know the retail price on the MM dropped from 17k to 13k this year? And yet the car is rarer than a Plymouth Prowler,which still sell easily in the $20k area. As much as we all love our cars, adn the few that actually know about them, to most people it is still considered a glorified cop car.


and if not having your Marauder is going to boost your value so much, why is it that a car like Big Joe P's old Kenny Brown MM can still sell for $30k?

[Raudermaster]

FWIW this car won't go up in price so quickly like the 94-96 Impala SS did. Granted they made more of them than the MM's at 11k, but let's face it, all older Chevy's are usually more desireable than some Ford's/Mercury's. Oh, and good luck to your spotlight.

[offroadkarter]

Oh yea everyone said that the impala's would be worth nothing also. Well those cars are are almost 15 years old and they still bring for an avarage car with 100,000 pluse miles the 12-15 range. one with low miles in excellent goes for over what the car sold new for.



Thats because the impala wasnt a fail, like the marauder was.

Thats why the value is still strong.

[ChiTownMaraud3r]

Thats because the impala wasnt a fail, like the marauder was.

Thats why the value is still strong.

Thats where dumbass ford should have released it as an SVT with more go. But then again, even marketing the car was not on their agenda..:shake:

[03Farmmarauder]

Thats because the impala wasnt a fail, like the marauder was.

Thats why the value is still strong.

The marauder was a fail but the Impala SS was also a fail. The reason why chevy got rid of the SS was because Ford was selling more CVPI than Chevy was Caprices. The went from making the SS over to the Tahoe. Not to long ago the Impala also took a drop in price and i mean big drop and then went back up again. I believe that you will see these cars go through a cooling off period and then prices will climb again. Just a week ago i took the impala out to a limestone baseball game and a freshman ran over and said aw an Impala I wish i had one of those. The next day i had demand from the older crowed to bring out the Marauder and he said oh wow not thats what i want is the Marauder. The kid even said the name right MARAUDER not MAROODER like my ford dealerships dealers call it.:rolleyes: I do not believe you will see the car work close to the 36000 it sold for anytime soon because ford over price it to begin with but the 20000's to 16000,s for a good used one will be seen, oh and that is one with 80000-100000 miles on the clock thats in great shape. The Marauder with 4:10's beat the Impalas hands down and had ford done that you would have seen ALOT of Impalas on the LM dealership, who knows maybe even mine.

[hot-rauder]

The marauder was a fail but the Impala SS was also a fail. The reason why chevy got rid of the SS was because Ford was selling more CVPI than Chevy was Caprices. The went from making the SS over to the Tahoe. Not to long ago the Impala also took a drop in price and i mean big drop and then went back up again. I believe that you will see these cars go through a cooling off period and then prices will climb again. Just a week ago i took the impala out to a limestone baseball game and a freshman ran over and said aw an Impala I wish i had one of those. The next day i had demand from the older crowed to bring out the Marauder and he said oh wow not thats what i want is the Marauder. The kid even said the name right MARAUDER not MAROODER like my ford dealerships dealers call it.:rolleyes: I do not believe you will see the car work close to the 36000 it sold for anytime soon because ford over price it to begin with but the 20000's to 16000,s for a good used one will be seen, oh and that is one with 80000-100000 miles on the clock thats in great shape. The Marauder with 4:10's beat the Impalas hands down and had ford done that you would have seen ALOT of Impalas on the LM dealership, who knows maybe even mine.

BLAH BLAH BLAH

You still haven't said anything that would make me think that the car will appreciate the way you think it will. woopdy doo, the MM with mods (which in your case would devalue it) is faster than the Impalas, doesn't make it more valuable. we can sit here and play a game of WHAT IF all night.

[Peter]

Thats where dumbass ford should have released it as an SVT with more go. But then again, even marketing the car was not on their agenda..:shake:

I thought SVT was ford only, no mercury or lincoln...

[03Farmmarauder]

I thought SVT was ford only, no mercury or lincoln...

SVT would have nothing to do with the car at all!!!

[MM2004]

You guys sound like a bunch of old Hens in a knitting circle.

'Bout time to move on...

Mike.

[offroadkarter]

The marauder was a fail but the Impala SS was also a fail.


I wouldn't call a car that was made for 3 years and had 117,xxx cars sold a "fail" compared to 2 years and 11,052 for the marauder.

Plus, the impala SS has been widely known throughout the automotive world for a long time, you dont get "impala what?" like you do with marauders.


And the only reason GM ended the B body line was because during that time period SUV's were on the rise and they found it more profitable, so they switched the Arlington plant over to the 1500 series trucks.

[03Farmmarauder]

I wouldn't call a car that was made for 3 years and had 117,xxx cars sold a "fail" compared to 2 years and 11,052 for the marauder.

Plus, the impala SS has been widely known throughout the automotive world for a long time, you dont get "impala what?" like you do with marauders.


And the only reason GM ended the B body line was because during that time period SUV's were on the rise and they found it more profitable, so they switched the Arlington plant over to the 1500 series trucks.

Um it wasnt 117000 Impala SS but only 67,xxx some Impala SS. Yes ur right that they did sell more but the market was just not around for big body cars anymore. The impala also had its problems to. Let me tell you that from owning them the interior of the car was made as cheap as possible and the car had what i would call alot of old technology. By the time 96 rolled around you could buy a new car off the lot for around 17,000.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

You guys forget that a good paint and body repair is totally undetectable to 90% of car buyers. Not too many people know what to look for at a repaint.

Especially since this is on a door pillar, no one will ever be able to tell when it is repaired. Solid black is a no brainer for blending, and the total repair area is going to be a couple square inches. If this car were a metallic that would be a different story, but it's not.

And I don't expect this car to appreciate any time soon. I fully expect that by the time I end up selling this car, the average excellent condition MM will be well under $10k. I paid $21k cash for this car in January of 07, so no matter what happens, in maybe 30+ years, I will most likely lose money, or at absolute best case scenario, break even. This is not a car I expect to be an investment, its just for driving and playing with.

[Rocknthehawk]

You guys forget that a good paint and body repair is totally undetectable to 90% of car buyers. Not too many people know what to look for at a repaint.

Especially since this is on a door pillar, no one will ever be able to tell when it is repaired. Solid black is a no brainer for blending, and the total repair area is going to be a couple square inches. If this car were a metallic that would be a different story, but it's not.

And I don't expect this car to appreciate any time soon. I fully expect that by the time I end up selling this car, the average excellent condition MM will be well under $10k. I paid $21k cash for this car in January of 07, so no matter what happens, in maybe 30+ years, I will most likely lose money, or at absolute best case scenario, break even. This is not a car I expect to be an investment, its just for driving and playing with.


I'm in the other 10%.

And i thought the spotlights were mounted through the a-pillar. They actually mount through the doors?

[Hacklemerc]

Spot lights are mounted thru the A pillar, with a small cut on the door for the light arm to come thru. A spot light on a MM?? I can't say yes or no but why not just buy a black Crown Vic LX or an old Police car?

[03Farmmarauder]

I'm in the other 10%.

And i thought the spotlights were mounted through the a-pillar. They actually mount through the doors?

I agree with you because i dont care how good you are i will be able to see. Oh by the way talk to any body guy while black is not hard to blend the clear is and black showes everything. I would bet that you would have to reclear the entire door.

[Rocknthehawk]

I agree with you because i dont care how good you are i will be able to see. Oh by the way talk to any body guy while black is not hard to blend the clear is and black showes everything. I would bet that you would have to reclear the entire door.

Well duh. Anyways, it was already said, to do it correctly, you would blend into the fender and rear door. The clear isn't THAT hard to match if you know what you're doing. A simple cut and buff can do wonders.

If 90% of people won't spot a repair, do you really think they'll notice a slightly different orange peel?

As for the OP, i think it would look cool. But, owning a rare performanc vehicle, they'll be people that hate you for it. do what you like.

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

No, and I really don't care if 10% of people would detect a repair. They just don't buy the car then.

[Drewstang]

Sell the MM. Buy a P71. End of thread.

[Raudermaster]

Um it wasnt 117000 Impala SS but only 67,xxx some Impala SS. Yes ur right that they did sell more but the market was just not around for big body cars anymore. The impala also had its problems to. Let me tell you that from owning them the interior of the car was made as cheap as possible and the car had what i would call alot of old technology. By the time 96 rolled around you could buy a new car off the lot for around 17,000.

What GM has good interior? None that I can think of.

[03Farmmarauder]

What GM has good interior? None that I can think of.

Yea mine pop and crack like grazy lmao. Plus grey carpet on a farm=dirty carpet=me having to shampoo= spinning me into a world of pissed off you have never seen. :mad2:

[Stranger in the Black Sedan]

GM's and CV's need way too much work to just become as fast (or slow) as a stock MM for me to be playing with those. The MM is not too expensive or rare for me to be cutting on, for as far as I am concerned. If it's too expensive and rare for you to put a few holes in, don't put holes in your cars.

Life would be incredibly boring if everyone on this board did exactly the same mod's.............