VIN number check/history

[Robmassmarauder]

hey guys, I've owned my marauder for a few months now. 175k miles on it... replaced head gasket, ball joints, bearings, plugs, wires, a bunch of other small good stuff... just thought my timing belt went but luckily it was the hydraulic tensioners on em that seized up so I'm replacing those as well. put 3" exhaust on it and removed the cats, goes through an x pipe to two magna packs in replace of the mufflers...... oh yeah, she's loud lol. the black pearl is what i call her. I also need a few parts for it such as the gauges under the center console... I'm told these are dumby gauges but I'm no sure... also my headlights don't work only when I'm holding the high beams back will they go on. I'm told that it was a recall and i can get it repaired. But my real question is how do i check to see what number my marauder is. I have the Vin obviously i just want to know what its production number is. its a 2003 300a model. made in ontario canada plant. could be a very early one and hey why not find out just something cool to know to go along with the story... I've driven a 2000 mercury grand marquis ls since 2011 when i got it as my first car and I've been in love with the 4 door sedans ever since. yes, I'm young and only 21 but car love has no age. the marauder was my dream car and I'm so excited to finally have one. supercharger plans are coming soon... i know that the eaton swap off of a mustang-gt is probably the cheapest way to go but i heard that they aren't that great.... ALL INFO AND OPINIONS ARE ACCEPTED AND WELCOMED!

THANKS GUYS,
ROB:bows::bows::bows::bows:

[fastblackmerc]

hey guys, I've owned my marauder for a few months now. 175k miles on it... replaced head gasket, ball joints, bearings, plugs, wires, a bunch of other small good stuff... just thought my timing belt went but luckily it was the hydraulic tensioners on em that seized up so I'm replacing those as well. put 3" exhaust on it and removed the cats, goes through an x pipe to two magna packs in replace of the mufflers...... oh yeah, she's loud lol. the black pearl is what i call her. I also need a few parts for it such as the gauges under the center console... I'm told these are dumby gauges but I'm no sure... also my headlights don't work only when I'm holding the high beams back will they go on. I'm told that it was a recall and i can get it repaired. But my real question is how do i check to see what number my marauder is. I have the Vin obviously i just want to know what its production number is. its a 2003 300a model. made in ontario canada plant. could be a very early one and hey why not find out just something cool to know to go along with the story... I've driven a 2000 mercury grand marquis ls since 2011 when i got it as my first car and I've been in love with the 4 door sedans ever since. yes, I'm young and only 21 but car love has no age. the marauder was my dream car and I'm so excited to finally have one. supercharger plans are coming soon... i know that the eaton swap off of a mustang-gt is probably the cheapest way to go but i heard that they aren't that great.... ALL INFO AND OPINIONS ARE ACCEPTED AND WELCOMED!

THANKS GUYS,
ROB:bows::bows::bows::bows:

I can repair the LCM for you.

The stock gauges are "dummies". You can replace them with these:
Replacement Gauges – Autometer (2 1/16)
Oil Pressure – 4327 (sending unit included)
Voltmeter – 4391

This thread tells you how to get production information:
http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=57772

[Robmassmarauder]

awesome i would appreciate it, learning new things about the car every day. ill def read up on the thread. when i purchased the car it was running the same size tire all around instead of the bigger ones that i know go in the back. i need four new tires anyways but could running these cause damage to the car?

[RubberCtyRauder]

You don't have traction control so you can run same size if you prefer. Makes rotating tires easy

[rauder88]

Call 1-800-FORD-788 and press "1". Have the last 6 of your VIN handy. You will get the numbers for FREE.
Lots of members here own Eaton Swapped Marauders from a Cobra, nothing wrong with an eaton unless you're seeking 700+ HP.
I too have a 300A and run 245/55 18 all around right now. Waiting to get my widened rims :burnout:
Good luck with your ride.

[Robmassmarauder]

just got in touch with ford performance. i have the 1,979th ever built 300a black. awesome stuff guys love finding out history of the car and learning more. i plan on keeping this car forever. hopefully i can put some money aside for a meet this year somewhere. maybe next year ill put the eaton swap on it. sadly I've heard that it can cost upwards of $4,000 even though I've seen used eaton m112's on same year gt's for like $500-600 I'm sure there are a lot of costly parts that go along with it and obviously labor these days isn't cheap. Love this site. don't know what i would do without it.

[Robmassmarauder]

and does anybody know where i can purchase the gauge cluster that goes under the center console. mine was missing when i bought the car and i want to get a set of working ones for the auto meter voltmeter and oil pressure. THANKS

[Mike M]

Just so you know...the oil gauge is a dummy gauge.

[PB Marauder]

Just found out I'm #888!

[Robmassmarauder]

mike, I'm pretty sure the oil gauge works. I'm talking about installing after market parts... not stock gauges.

[rauder88]

and does anybody know where i can purchase the gauge cluster that goes under the center console. mine was missing when i bought the car and i want to get a set of working ones for the auto meter voltmeter and oil pressure. THANKS

You will have to find one used, try ebay and keep a close eye on this forum. Maybe try crownvic.net. Marauder specific parts have been discontinued from ford. When you do install the AutoMeter gauge purchased aftermarket it will be functional.


... maybe next year ill put the eaton swap on it. sadly I've heard that it can cost upwards of $4,000 even though I've seen used eaton m112's on same year gt's for like $500-600...

The M112 that you need will be from a '03-'04 Cobra not a GT. Yes by time you source all the parts it will run you $3500-$4500 just for the swap and tune.
Check this thread
http://mercurymarauder.net/forums/showthread.php?t=60366

Search function will be your best friend. Or google it, sometimes faster.

[Robmassmarauder]

Thanks for the help. yeah, i meant to say cobra must have been ranting and spaced a little. sometimes get overwhelmed when i get excited about my car. and yeah ill have to keep a close eye.... and the fact that ford doesn't reproduce parts for these cars is ridiculous.. whoever decides to start doing it on their own will make some serious cash someday when everybody else realizes how collectible these cars are. but yeah, i am already in love with search function. anybody here have any experience going to meets. they seem like lots of fun and id love to get to one this upcoming spring/summer/fall

[RubberCtyRauder]

The gauge pod is hard to come by..and it often goes for around $200 used...I have 2 sets of factory gauges..the dummy oil pressure and the volt meter which sort of works, but I don't feel it is consistent. I don't have them listed for sale but I will when I get a chance to take pics and post them up