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Thread: Towing 4000 lbs with Marauder

  1. #1
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    Towing 4000 lbs with Marauder

    Hi,

    I am considering replacing my '97 Crown Vic police with an '04 Marauder. I have a boat and trailer that weigh 4000 lbs. The trailer has 4 disc brakes.

    I guess we all know the car is easily capable of towing more than the advertised 2000 lbs, given the correct equipment. And therein lies my question:

    How large is the Marauder tranny cooler? Is the radiator any larger than a stock Grand Marquis? Does it have coil springs in the rear with air leveling, or is it strictly air?

    I know on my Crown Vic I had to install a truck dual-row radiator core and do a bit of custom fabricating to make it fit. The stock single row seemed inadequate pulling uphill in 100 degree weather. Temps would hover around 200 degrees. I also installed the largest stacked-plate transmission cooler available and a temp gauge, running the fluid thru the radiator first to ensure reasonable cold-weather operation. The trans temp stayed under 180 degrees even under severe loads. I also installed airbags inside the rear coils.

    How does the Marauder cooling perform under extreme conditions (hot weather, heavy towing)? What about the air suspension? If the air suspension is inadequate, can I simply swap in coils and airbags?

    I did note that my Class IV Valley frame hitch on the '97 is supposed to fit the '98 - '07 cars. Is there any factory wiring support that I can plug into, or must I hard-wire it myself? I do need the backup light to trigger a lockout for the disc brakes.

    Thanks in advance for any info and experience,

    Lifespeed

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by lifespeed View Post
    I know on my Crown Vic I had to install a truck dual-row radiator core and do a bit of custom fabricating to make it fit. The stock single row seemed inadequate pulling uphill in 100 degree weather. Temps would hover around 200 degrees.

    I also installed the largest stacked-plate transmission cooler available and a temp gauge, running the fluid thru the radiator first to ensure reasonable cold-weather operation. The trans temp stayed under 180 degrees even under severe loads.

    I also installed airbags inside the rear coils.
    Got any pics and more details of this setup?
    Tom
    This one is for sale:
    2000 GM-LS-HPP & DOHC!
    Finally, did the 1/4mile.

    Finally bought a Marauder #2,385
    205,000 miles and did rear spring conversion

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by ts-pa View Post
    Got any pics and more details of this setup?
    No pics, although I suppose that is possible if you're really interested.

    Details on what?

    The radiator core is a late-model Ford F150 two-row. The tanks are stock '97 one one side (thick side). The thin side is replaced with the stock tank from the thick (passenger) side flipped upside down with the trans cooler holes plugged. Any good radiator shop can build one.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by lifespeed View Post
    No pics, although I suppose that is possible if you're really interested.

    Details on what?

    The radiator core is a late-model Ford F150 two-row. The tanks are stock '97 one one side (thick side). The thin side is replaced with the stock tank from the thick (passenger) side flipped upside down with the trans cooler holes plugged. Any good radiator shop can build one.
    You answered my question right there, can you post some pics of it?

    Here is a link that may help you.
    Tom
    This one is for sale:
    2000 GM-LS-HPP & DOHC!
    Finally, did the 1/4mile.

    Finally bought a Marauder #2,385
    205,000 miles and did rear spring conversion

  5. #5
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    I'll see if I can post some photos tonight, although it is hard to see much detail when installed in the car.

    Should I assume that you are interested in the radiator upgrade because the Marauder radiator is the same skinny, barely-adequate part used in all the Panther-platform cars?

  6. #6
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    exactly......
    Tom
    This one is for sale:
    2000 GM-LS-HPP & DOHC!
    Finally, did the 1/4mile.

    Finally bought a Marauder #2,385
    205,000 miles and did rear spring conversion

  7. #7
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    Have you considered any negatives to submerging the rear of your car?
    Gort! Klaatu barada nicto.

  8. #8
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    Quote Originally Posted by kayzap View Post
    Have you considered any negatives to submerging the rear of your car?
    When launching a boat it is traditional to submerge only the boat and trailer in the water, not the tow vehicle.

    Why do you ask? Do pickups or sport-utes have better underwater performance than passenger cars?

  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by lifespeed View Post
    Do pickups or sport-utes have better underwater performance than passenger cars?
    ^^

    When I watch people launching their boats I usually see the rear wheels either just touching the water or backed farther into it. My question had to do with the car being lower than a truck so I wondered if the rear portion of the car would be under water. The exhuast and bumper area's. I guess if it were a problem you could extend the trailers tongue.
    Gort! Klaatu barada nicto.

  10. #10
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    I dont think the polished aluminum rims would like saltwater very much if you dipped them in when backing the boat in.

    2003
    MERCURY MARAUDER 300A

    Build Date
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    Sequence#
    #363 of 7839 Black Marauders
    Dyno tested power
    450 RWHP & 405 RWTQ on 93 octane
    Best 1/4 mile time to date
    12.456@109mph
    Visit my Garage
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  11. #11
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    I would purchase a pick up to tow a boat.
    2003 Marauder 300B,
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    ----- John

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by jgc61sr2002 View Post
    I would purchase a pick up to tow a boat.
    +1 Thats what im saying .
    Daily Driver - 94 Ford Taurus SHO ATX mint 1 owner Red w/ beige interior ...... S/C'd only and tune 13.5 w/slicks.
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  13. #13
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    Do not put a tranny cooler that throws heat on the radiator. Engines are expensive and tranny are cheap.

    In the event of a tragic accident exceeding the 2,000lb limit may cause a problem.
    1/4 Mile Time 11.542 @ 121.19 MPH
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  14. #14
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    Buy a beater truck to tow the boat around. Its a rare modern muscle car, not a tow truck.

    2003
    MERCURY MARAUDER 300A

    Build Date
    5/31/02
    Sequence#
    #363 of 7839 Black Marauders
    Dyno tested power
    450 RWHP & 405 RWTQ on 93 octane
    Best 1/4 mile time to date
    12.456@109mph
    Visit my Garage
    Blackened300a's Garage



  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by kayzap View Post
    ^^

    When I watch people launching their boats I usually see the rear wheels either just touching the water or backed farther into it. My question had to do with the car being lower than a truck so I wondered if the rear portion of the car would be under water. The exhuast and bumper area's. I guess if it were a problem you could extend the trailers tongue.
    I've always been a fan of water-cooled exhaust systems.
    - Randy

    2004 MM (Wine Red [it looks like wine to me!])
    XCal2/Blue Oval Chips Programming

    1996 Impala SS (12.45 NA)

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