Marauder Steering Column

[5.4StickVic]

Hello guys, to introduce myself real quick my name is Brent and I was referred by David Vachon aka DJV5150 to ask questions when building my car. I was a friend of Alex Vachon aka marauderboi and I am building a car dedicated to him.
The car will have the motor he planned to put in his Crown Victoria in it. It is a 2v 5.4l V8, Naturally Aspirated for the time being, with a 5 speed manual. The car is a 2004 Crown Victoria P71.

Now to my question/problem. I am installing a marauder gauge cluster and a marauder steering column in the car. The reason for the steering column is...
1) The car was broken into before I bought it and the ignition was trashed
2) I needed to eliminate the column shifter for when I go stick shift.
The steering column out of the marauder has a cable attached where my usual gear shifter is. It looks like there is a plug where this cable starts as well. If someone could identify this thing for me and tell me its use and whether or not it was necessary, it would be greatly appreciated. Sorry for the long post and thank you in advance.

[EMAS]

The cable connection that looks like you shifter is the shifter interlock to keep prevent you from shifting out of park if the key isn't in the on position and to keep you from locking the column when the trans isn't in park. So no with an MT you don't need to hook it up but you should do something to lock it into the "park" position. Not sure about the plug you are referring to.

[LANDY]

What your doing is awesome, keep us posted with your progress.
Sorry I don't have an answer to your ?.
Landy

[Cobra25]

What your doing is awesome, keep us posted with your progress.
Sorry I don't have an answer to your ?.
LandyI agree 100 % !

[Mike]

:welcome1: the site and good luck with your project :banana:

[MercNasty]

good luck on the big, i dont have the answer but we do have a lot of car wizards here.

[BAD MERC]

That cable has a pawl that locates the ignition switch position to prevent the gearshift from being moved when the key is off- an electric solenoid activates it when the brake is pressed. Any panther column will work, even if it has a column shifter! The parts are interchangeable and I have pictures that detait it. All you'll need to complete it is the upper plastic garnish without the shifter hole. PM me for detailed photos, include your email!

[5.4StickVic]

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome, I greatly appreciate it! Long story short Alex and I met through our interest in automotives. I may have met some of you from Florida, as I went with him to one of the Marauder meets at Markham Park.


The cable connection that looks like you shifter is the shifter interlock to keep prevent you from shifting out of park if the key isn't in the on position and to keep you from locking the column when the trans isn't in park. So no with an MT you don't need to hook it up but you should do something to lock it into the "park" position. Not sure about the plug you are referring to.

By "lock it into the park position" I take it you mean the steering wheel? If so, what would be the best way to go about this? Those red locking bars for the steering are a last resort if needed, but if theres a better way to go about it, I'd definitely go that route.


That cable has a pawl that locates the ignition switch position to prevent the gearshift from being moved when the key is off- an electric solenoid activates it when the brake is pressed. Any panther column will work, even if it has a column shifter! The parts are interchangeable and I have pictures that detait it. All you'll need to complete it is the upper plastic garnish without the shifter hole. PM me for detailed photos, include your email!

Thanks BAD MERC, I'll definitely PM you! I've already removed my steering column, and I have a column out of a marauder that I planned on swapping in its place, instead of swapping parts over. I have keys with it too so it would be a much better swap than the one I have.

[CBT]

Ant pics to post yet, sounds awesome.

[EMAS]

No the steering column with still lock. I'm talking about restraining that lever in the "park" position so you can get the key out. That is there so you can't lock the steering wheel when the car is in motion. The solenoid that prevents you from shifting out of park w/o your foot on the brake is a separate thing and that won't matter since you have no need to take it out of "park". In fact I just realized that if you don't hook up that solenoid then it can't come out of park. So just don't hook that solenoid up it's about midway up the column.

[Hotrauder]

Hi Brent! I remember you from our picnic. I want to wish you well with your honor to Alex. He would be armpit deep in this working with you and although we may not see him he will be there. The best with it. Bad Merc and Carfixer both have vast store houses of knowledge, are in Ft. Meyers and I am sure will share it all with you. Please post pictures and keep us abreast of your progress. There is a lot of interest here and a lot of help. Dennis :)

[5.4StickVic]

I must warn you guys, she's not the prettiest as she stands. She is a break-in car, the driver side door handle needs replacing, along with the rear trim piece that has the reverse lights in it. It needs a paint job, and a little touching up here and there, but when she's done, she'll be one of a kind. i also apologize for the crummy cell phone photos!

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1217.snc4/156966_469935492425_535002425_ 5866830_4841418_n.jpg
On her way home

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc4/hs1139.snc4/148177_469935672425_535002425_ 5866839_6417708_n.jpg
Squaring up for fun :P

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/hs492.ash2/76542_469935637425_535002425_5 866837_7750281_n.jpg
Body Shot

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/hs040.snc6/167072_484391272425_535002425_ 6100175_4345908_n.jpg
Motor as she stands, with 4.6 PI Heads on her

[CBT]

Spotlight win!

[5.4StickVic]

Hi Brent! I remember you from our picnic. I want to wish you well with your honor to Alex. He would be armpit deep in this working with you and although we may not see him he will be there. The best with it. Bad Merc and Carfixer both have vast store houses of knowledge, are in Ft. Meyers and I am sure will share it all with you. Please post pictures and keep us abreast of your progress. There is a lot of interest here and a lot of help. Dennis :)

Dennis! Good to talk to you again! Thank you very much. Every step of the way I can feel him there right along with me. It seems like every single time I wish I could give Alex a call to get an answer to a car question, it comes to me. He's with me everyday. I appreciate all the help you guys are willing to give. I will definitely keep everyone informed every step of the way. Thanks again!

[5.4StickVic]

No the steering column with still lock. I'm talking about restraining that lever in the "park" position so you can get the key out. That is there so you can't lock the steering wheel when the car is in motion. The solenoid that prevents you from shifting out of park w/o your foot on the brake is a separate thing and that won't matter since you have no need to take it out of "park". In fact I just realized that if you don't hook up that solenoid then it can't come out of park. So just don't hook that solenoid up it's about midway up the column.

Thanks EMAS, I'll unhook it then. Just to clarify, I should also remove the cable as there is no need, correct?

[EMAS]

Thanks EMAS, I'll unhook it then. Just to clarify, I should also remove the cable as there is no need, correct?

Yes you can remove the cable as it will serve no purpose now.

On the brake interlock I was wrong that won't keep it in park if it doesn't have power. I'm so used to fixing the systems on lesser brands (toyota) where it is set up as always locked and the signal from the brake sw unlocks it. Those have a mechanical bypass to be able to get it out of park when the system fails, which they do. The Ford system doesn't lock it unless there is power to it (key in the on position) and then the brake sw cuts the power. So it may be a good idea to fix that lever in the park position. Otherwise what could happen is you hit a big bump while driving the lever drops into the "reverse" position and when you go to shut the car off you can't turn the cyl to the lock position and remove the key. If the brake interlock malfunctions on a Ford you turn the key out of the lock position, but not to on, place the shifter in N and then start the car. Much simpler than some of the others where you insert the key in a slot near the shifter, place it in N and then use the key in the ign. Thank you Audi and you worthless hydroboost system.

[5.4StickVic]

Okay now I'm confused. What lever are you talking about?

[EMAS]

Okay now I'm confused. What lever are you talking about?


The one with the cable attached to it. The other end of the cable attached to the trans linkage and it what prevents you from turning the key to the lock position when the trans isn't in park and prevents you from shifting out of park with the ign in the lock position.

[5.4StickVic]

understood. so would locking this solenoid mean keeping it all the way in or all the way out? which position is Park located?

[EMAS]

Park should be as far as it goes in the counter clockwise direction when looking at it from the steering wheel end. The solenoid should go out to lock it in Park.