Crown Vic crossmember questions
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Freshman User
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Lincoln, NE
Crown Vic crossmember questions
Been watching a bit of Gas Monkey Garage (Yes, goofy, I know), and several times they have done a front suspension swap using the crossmember from an 04 to 06 crown Vic cop car. They claim the parts are cheap and easy to obtain, the swap is not too difficult if you have fabrication skills, and the suspension is clean and works well. Anyone out there tried this swap, and does it work as well as they say ( yes, I know, but thought I would ask anyway).
Also wanted to know what size engines come in crown Vic's this new, and would there be an engine/manual trans combo from a newer Mustang that would fit this crossmember?
Any and all opinions appreciated. Thanks!
Also wanted to know what size engines come in crown Vic's this new, and would there be an engine/manual trans combo from a newer Mustang that would fit this crossmember?
Any and all opinions appreciated. Thanks!
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 954
Likes: 2
From: 15 miles west of Venus
Yes I have done it on my '55.
You didn't mention what you are putting it in so some of this might not apply to your application.
The biggest drawback of the suspension is the overall width. With a '53-6, you are basically limited to the stock offset late model Mustang wheels or '03 up CV wheels.
Other than that, the suspension cradle is about 1" wider than the frame so it fits inside and will index front to back on locator pins. The '53-6 frame is flat across the bottom and begins to flare out as it goes back. Your mount ends up having a wedge shaped piece to compensate for the frame flare. Frame rake can be determined by how much you "shim" between the frame and suspension.
There are 2 vertical bolts on each side that end up going through the frame rails and you need sleeves to prevent the frame from crushing (if it could or would).
I have 500-1000 miles on it since install and am happy with it. It drives and handles a lot better than the Cordoba IFS did. You have big disk brakes requiring a 16" or larger wheel and rack and pinion steering.
The only things that bugs me a bit is the PI springs are stiff and when you drop a tire into a hole there is a fairly solid hit when the suspension tops out.
As for engines, you should be open to any of the 4.6's or 5.4's or 5.0 Coyotes. If the money tree would ever produce, I would have a 5.0 Coyote crate engine in there.
My plan is to take a '97 Lincoln Mk VIII 4.6 engine and put '04 "C" heads and a Marauder intake on it with a good tune.
You didn't mention what you are putting it in so some of this might not apply to your application.
The biggest drawback of the suspension is the overall width. With a '53-6, you are basically limited to the stock offset late model Mustang wheels or '03 up CV wheels.
Other than that, the suspension cradle is about 1" wider than the frame so it fits inside and will index front to back on locator pins. The '53-6 frame is flat across the bottom and begins to flare out as it goes back. Your mount ends up having a wedge shaped piece to compensate for the frame flare. Frame rake can be determined by how much you "shim" between the frame and suspension.
There are 2 vertical bolts on each side that end up going through the frame rails and you need sleeves to prevent the frame from crushing (if it could or would).
I have 500-1000 miles on it since install and am happy with it. It drives and handles a lot better than the Cordoba IFS did. You have big disk brakes requiring a 16" or larger wheel and rack and pinion steering.
The only things that bugs me a bit is the PI springs are stiff and when you drop a tire into a hole there is a fairly solid hit when the suspension tops out.
As for engines, you should be open to any of the 4.6's or 5.4's or 5.0 Coyotes. If the money tree would ever produce, I would have a 5.0 Coyote crate engine in there.
My plan is to take a '97 Lincoln Mk VIII 4.6 engine and put '04 "C" heads and a Marauder intake on it with a good tune.
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