Hello from Vermont, and best lift kit?

[Pretty much broke]

I just bought my 1989 Crown Victoria LTD wagon about a week ago and have gone through the normal "buying a new car" maintenance but I was wondering if there is anything specific this car is known to do if not taken care of. I checked the TV cable and it's fine, changed the oil, let it idle for about 10 minutes and changed it again, Surprisingly nasty oil after 10 minutes. Made sure the ATF was in decent shape, cleaned the throttle body and intake manifold, coolant flush, and a full detailing inside and out. I've always loved Ford but I know they have their quirks and was just wondering what I should look for, especially being the first time I've owned a 5.0. And was also looking into body lifts and spacers to put in some small but aggressive mud / all terrain tires on it. As it is, it looks like a low rider and would probably scrape on some of the roads here in Vermont, so I was wondering what you guys had done to lift your vics. I hear f150 springs work pretty well too. Thanks for reading guys.

[BuffaloRider]

Welcome! Your screen name man... I feel it.

I can't give too many suggestions but I know it's good to replace the PCV filter and replace the plastic throttle valve bushing with a brass one. Your odometer gears are probably going to need replaced if they haven't been already. Then there's some of the very common upgrades like a 3g alternator swap and headlight relay. That's all I can really think of.

I like your plans on lifting your crown vic, hope to see it happen.

[Pretty much broke]

The 3g alternator is gonna happen pretty soon, as it is the alternator is working fine but making a god awful noise when first started. I'm most likely gonna replace the whole PCV in the end. The car sat for 9 years under cover in montana and it shows a little under the hood. A steel exhaust line at the back of the block that leads to a 3 way junction had rusted apart. I bought it with a strange rev up condition. It would randomly rev to about 3,500 RPM and then idle back down. I just welded some aluminum piping and piece of high temp hose there and it fixed it. The intake manifold was really oxidized and one of the injectors was clogged. But seems to run good now, minus the low suspension haha. And yeah, being fresh out of high school I'm not exactly rich, been working since 16 but basically it all went to gas and new cars.

[slack]

Awesome! And welcome!

[PainFisted]

Welcome!!!!!

[miamibob]

The 3g alternator is gonna happen pretty soon, as it is the alternator is working fine but making a god awful noise when first started. I'm most likely gonna replace the whole PCV in the end. The car sat for 9 years under cover in montana and it shows a little under the hood. A steel exhaust line at the back of the block that leads to a 3 way junction had rusted apart. I bought it with a strange rev up condition. It would randomly rev to about 3,500 RPM and then idle back down. I just welded some aluminum piping and piece of high temp hose there and it fixed it. The intake manifold was really oxidized and one of the injectors was clogged. But seems to run good now, minus the low suspension haha. And yeah, being fresh out of high school I'm not exactly rich, been working since 16 but basically it all went to gas and new cars.

What part of Vermont? Used to live just near St. Albans (Fairfield/Fairfax area).

[Pretty much broke]

As of now I live in Walden, near Danville, most people don't even know it exists haha.

[miamibob]

Yeah, Calendonia County....I know where it is!!

[Bobcat]

Fresh out of highschool, I'd assume you're low on $$ because of college? I'm 17 and half way through highschool and I find all of my money going into car parts.. And I've worked my ass off for that. Lol

[Pretty much broke]

For my age I'm actually not hurting too bad, shopping around for apartments at the moment, I decided against college myself and got a full time job at UPS. The pay is pretty good, full workers benefits, and when I turn 21 I can be a driver. They make a really respectable amount of money. But yeah, a lot of my money goes into my cars. I'm hoping the crown vic stays reliable.

[Pretty much broke]

It hasn't changed much over the last decade. You aren't missing out on anything haha

[L1011tristar17]

New body mount bushings would probably give you an extra inch or two in height. When they get old they turn to mush and sometimes even fall off. From what I've read, it's a pretty labor-intensive job but it's been done several times by members here. It may need a new set of coils too.

On a side note, those box Volvos are pretty awesome! I would considered one if they were more common where I live.

[Pretty much broke]

Ive checked out the suspension and mounts, they're in surprisingly good shape. I'm looking for about a 4 or 5 inch lift though, I'll most likely end up buying a universal body lift. And yeah, the volvo has been a pretty good car aside from brakes. It made it to 318k miles so it must be doing something right.

[johnunit]

I honestly wouldn't bother with a body lift except to get the tires to fit. Even then, you'll hit the frame not long after you hit the body or inner fenders. The low points are all the frame or frame-mounted, like the bumper, exhaust, front crossmember, etc. I once had a front wheel go entirely into a pothole, not touching bottom, and the only thing that got touched was frame.

I'd go with stiffer/taller springs and... I think it was f-150 shocks that allow more travel/droop, and see where you're at then. A body mount on these will look and feel pretty janky, while not really gaining you functional ground clearance.

[sly]

+1 on just new body mount bushings. I got run off the road over a curb that managed to bang the front right control arm into the frame and dent the frame a little (totally squashed the bump stop) and the tire only managed a light scuffing of the inner fender. Going with taller springs and F150 shocks as stated would probably be the best route to go. Getting those springs in up front may take some doin though.