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Thread: Long time gearhead with new (to me) Marauder

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Location
    Harker Heights TX
    Age
    40
    Posts
    1

    Long time gearhead with new (to me) Marauder

    New to the group and to a Marauder. That by no means I'm ignorant of American muscle...... luxury? Maybe, lol. I'm no stranger to a wrench, and still kinda bitter about how *****y Craftsman got, but I digress. I purchased an '03 Marauder in Friday from an auction, I'm driving 3 hours tomorrow to go pick it up, I know nothing more than the VIN and 4 exterior pictures. So.... that being said, I don't know what to say, or ask. I guess I'm looking for what to expect? Common issues? Best upgrades? Cheapest/quickest upgrades? Any advice or constructive opinions welcome, the more specific and technical the better. Slowy finishing the Grand Marquis service manual on pdf and ill be happy to share or post to any who are mechanically inclined, or at least interested. Thanks and (Roman)godspeed.

  2. #2
    Join Date
    May 2019
    Location
    Harrisburg, NC
    Age
    53
    Posts
    364
    Common issues: LCM, BCM, EATC (o-rings), blend door actuator, radio tuner.

    Depending on mileage and/or how previous owners drove the car (conservative vs hammer it 24/7), cylinder head #8 can be a weak point and produce ticking. Timing chain/guides if car has 150K+ miles needs to be monitored. Air compressor for the rear suspension air bags can crap out early due to water collection where it sits...drill a few drainage holes to mitigate. Also, physically check air bags to ensure they aren't rotting. Make sure wiper cowl is relatively clean; junk likes to collect where the wiper motor sits, causing it to crap out.

    Best/cheapest/quickest upgrades are subjective, but swapping out the 3.55 gear for a 4.10 and having it tuned will wake it up for less than $1K (I hope...I had this done to mine 10 years ago and it cost around $600...don't know what prices would be like nowadays)

    Lots of 'tips/tricks' for being a MM owner on this site...
    Last edited by SilverPhoenix; 02-28-2023 at 09:40 AM.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jan 2023
    Location
    Abington, PA
    Age
    53
    Posts
    35
    Welcome! I just joined the ranks myself!

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Washington State
    Posts
    2,108
    Welcome aboard. Would love to see pictures.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Dec 2002
    Location
    Long Island, NY
    Posts
    9,769
    Welcome aboard!
    2003 Marauder 300B,
    6468 out of 7839 - Thanks Brian
    Heated Seats
    35% Tint
    Mercury All Weather Mats
    Trunk Organizer - Thanks MartyO
    Sold 4/3/2009 Now resides in AL.
    1961 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible
    1973 Oldsmobile Toronado
    2012 Kia Sedona Van
    2008 Corvette Convertible
    2003 Marauder 300 A Thanks Larry O 6/14/17
    2021 Prius Prime Limited
    2023 Chevrolet Silverado High Country
    Member # 440
    ----- John

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Sacramento
    Posts
    3,737
    IMHO... If you are a freeway driver, and like long cruises.... the gears can wait. The tune, (See Marty) is by far a mandatory upgrade. Unbelievable difference. Watts link and rear sway bars w great bushings (and new shocks if needed) will tame the large rear waggle... and you can feel the difference getting into the car and closing the door, much less driving!


    2003 300A Black, #4918 of 7838, 17,400 Miles
    Tune, KYB's, JLT, FlowMaster 42441, Res Delete, New BFG's, 8 coats of zymoil Titanium

    2003 300B Silver Birch, #21 of 419, 29,800 miles
    Tune, JLT, FlowMaster 42441 Res Delete, New Nitto 235/255 Bigcarsforever dead peddle & custom SRP peddles, 5 coats Zymoil Titanium, Addco front and rear sway bars, KYBs, 1/2 inch coil cut, Sparta Watts link and Control Arms, Carfixer alignment.

    2003 CV Sport Matador Red, 19,280 Miles, DD, Curless Full Service Royal flush, Marto Tune, 18 Chrome Wheels w 235/265 front/back Nitto tires, NEW OEM Sport Springs -1 coil & Monroe Severe Duty (front) shocks, Addco front and rear sway bars, KYB rear Shocks, Carfixer Alignment.

    2004 CV HPP Silver Birch, 93,000 miles. Son's DD, 18 Chrome Wheels w 235/265 front/back Nitto tires (thank you Lowndex!)

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2005
    Location
    Fort Wayne Indiana
    Age
    54
    Posts
    650
    Agree with everything stated above.


    52 Ford F1 truck (302 V8 WIP)
    58 Pontiac Parisienne
    93 Mustang Cobra (stock)
    03 Mercury Marauder
    03 Lincoln Town Car
    05 Dodge Magnum (Hemi)
    05 F150 FX4
    15 Porsche Cayenne S

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Location
    San Antonio Texas
    Age
    52
    Posts
    27
    Hello new to the site! Any advice on Stainless Works exhaust? I really would like to purchase sounds really good on the video! Just bought my 2nd Marauder originally have an 03 since new and now an 04 with Trilogy supercharger. Anyone’s input would be helpful.

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jun 2011
    Location
    Northeast OH
    Posts
    7,999
    Call Mo's Speed Shop, Dallas,GA. They are a SW dealer, they know Marauders very well. You don't have to be or go to GA to benefit.
    2004 SB Ported Trilogy 48
    Has supporting mods and stuff
    Thanks to Marty O for his help in updating this car.

    R.I.P.
    Rex "SC Cheesehead"

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2023
    Location
    San Antonio Texas
    Age
    52
    Posts
    27
    Sounds good will give them a call! I appreciate the advice!

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