Mod Box - 85' Grand Marquis

[87gtVIC]

I would have said complications are in your future, but nice to see so far you ran into none.

[Mr Bean]

I am glad they haven't changed the platform in 32 years. Makes shit like this possible.

Anyway, would someone know best place to buy body mounts. I want to replace all 14 with new ones. Not sure if I want to go with poly or rubber. Don't really want a jittery ride.

[pantera77]

I am glad they haven't changed the platform in 32 years. Makes shit like this possible.

Anyway, would someone know best place to buy body mounts. I want to replace all 14 with new ones. Not sure if I want to go with poly or rubber. Don't really want a jittery ride.

We all run ES poly mounts with special spacers. They work great, though I will admit they harsh up the ride. I actually want to take mine back out and cut 1/2" off them to lower the body on the frame.

[87gtVIC]

They are a bit taller than stock and ride stiffer but worked out great. The spacers are a must to center the bushings in the holes.

[Mr Bean]

What are the part numbers / dimensions on them?

[87gtVIC]

Here is the part number I used 9.4102R the r at the end just means red.

Not sure on the dimensions. Maybe the ES website has them.

EDIT: http://www.energysuspensionparts.com...sp?prod=9.4102


Dimensions in above link

[Mr Bean]

Is that just the upper mount or lower insulator too?

[Mr Bean]

Ok so looking at that link a bit more it looks like it includes everything. Are the stock bolts long enough? It appears there are 2 bushings included in the kit. What are the spacers that you are talking about? Are they purchased separately?

[marquisman]

Nice progress!

[87gtVIC]

Ok so looking at that link a bit more it looks like it includes everything. Are the stock bolts long enough? It appears there are 2 bushings included in the kit. What are the spacers that you are talking about? Are they purchased separately?

Two complete bushings per kit. I believe I had purchased longer bolts from sears hardware for this job. If you look at the bushing side by side comparison pic Zach posted you will see the small spacer slipped around the shaft of the bushing.

The only run of them that I have seen were all machined out by Lincolnmania's doing. He had a local cut them.

There is some info in this sticky

http://www.grandmarq.net/vb/showthread.php?4073-Suspension-Brakes-FAQ-Please-Read-First!&p=215706&viewfull=1#post215706

[Mr Bean]

Ok thanks.

This morning I looked at the header panel fitment. Just as I suspected it will have to be modified. Cutting and welding required. Although if someone was in a hurry, could be done without welding. Just cut the excess material off then drill a new body mount hole and call it a day.

Here are some pics. Box on the bottom, Whale on top. As you can see Whale header panel still has box header mount holes in place. Ford just added new holes a couple of inches off on a Whale.



Box header is wider and taller.






The amount of fabrication required to get this swap completed is very minor.

[Mr Bean]

After some cutting here I am. Now I gotta cut the 07' header up and get the 2 mated together. Very simple up to this point.

[Mr Bean]

Today I ordered the body mounts as linked above. I am also thinking of coating the whole frame with POR-15 and then top coating it with paint. There is some rust on it that I will media blast and get as much off as possible. Has anyone used POR-15 on their underside before? Any idea how much I would need to cover the entire frame? I will likely want to do 2 coats.

[pantera77]

I've POR 15's a lot of things. Honestly, I'd probably go with the Eastwood Chassis stuff.

[87gtVIC]

I currently am in the SLOW process of doing the eastwood treatments to the underbody of my car, frame included.

I have 4 rust encapsulator quarts, 3 extreme chassis black quarts and a gallon of rust converter all from eastwood. Not to mention 3 cans of internal frame coating, a hand full of aerosol rust encapsulators, converters, rubberized undercoating and heavy duty anti-rust spray. I am very satisfied with everything so far though I have literally just began. All I have completed was the interior quarterpanels and underneath them. Trunk pan is next.