I need the final word on the Crown Vic Swap Topic

I_am_fishbait · Post by **I_am_fishbait** » August 13, 2009, 6:26 pm

Hello everybody,
I am looking for the final lowdown on the Crown Vic Frame Swap topic. I know there are several threads in the archives on the topic, but I would like to see if we could try to compile as much of the info together...

I have been researching this for a couple of years for my 62 Uni. I found out about using the front K member from a 2004 or later Vic ,and purchased one. I found out about the ability to use the whole frame about a week after I took a hot wrench to the frame that the afore mentioned cross member was connected to....

I have read threads where people were using earlier year models of Vic's but no real details on what fits and what has to be modified. I have found a couple of auctions for 2000-2001 police cars that look like they are going to go really cheap. If I could do a chassis swap with the cop motor and all, that would be the prefered method over trying to mount the k member and reworking everything. But I need to have the facts first. Preferably without another year of research or another 'hot wrench incident'.

Thanks

61ford · Post by **61ford** » August 13, 2009, 6:41 pm

far as i know all panther platform crown vic marquis etc work fine for frame swaps most just use 80s model bc of being so cheap seen one somewhere that had a 90s model swapped under it.the one im using is a 88 theres some frame rails to be hacked off the end but wheelbase is same

also check out mad max album it has pictures of one mounted got to notch the stepwells on a 61-64 looks like cut the tranny tunnel and build a new one and notch the bed for the rear suspension. look up a man named bit theres a thread that has pics of his truck done

randyr · Post by **randyr** » August 13, 2009, 9:06 pm

I've done a little research on this stuff too and have concluded that it seems a heck of a lot easier to add independent front suspension via the Crown Vic crossmember or the Dakota setup to the original frame than trying to re-fit the entire body onto some car chassis. Heck the '03 and newer CV crossmember is practically a bolt-in operation! You still get the upgrades of nice brakes, steering and modern handling without all the hassle of cutting up your floor boards and bed etc. The chassis swap just doesn't make any sense to me. JMHO

deviant1 · Post by **deviant1** » August 14, 2009, 7:26 am

The Crown Victoria crossmember install is the way to go if you don't mind the slightly wider track width. It is a full saturday or sunday job( or both, if you like to stop and drink a beer often) but it can be done in one day...because I have done it! Now, that it minus all the small stuff, like buiding up the new steering shaft, connecting the brake lines into the existing, and powersteering hose plumbing, and a small amount of fab work. I even did mine with the engine suspended in the air and the front fenders still on the truck(minus the inner fenders and radiator). It would have been real easy if the front was stripped down.
I am not saying that this is the best way to go...but for the money and ease of installation you can't beat it!

Johnny Canuck · Post by **Johnny Canuck** » August 14, 2009, 8:37 am

Be Aware, if you are using a whole frame to swap
The wheelbase is the same as SHORT wheelbase truck
you have to cut off the frame rails at the inside of the rad support, the support has to drop down quite a bit at the frame.
then you have to figure out some way to hang your bumper.

The sides of the frame will bulge out where the step wells are in a step well truck so they have to be cut, and re fabbed to cover the frame.
The frame, gas tank and rear end all come thru the box floor, so you need to build a "Culvert" in your box.

The older frames from the boxy 80's cars are thicker than the newer ones from the 90's cars, but with the 90s car you get a modular motor and a 4 speed tranny. So figure out what engine combo you want to run before you choose your frame.

Having said all that, I have ridden in one of these trucks, a short uni done by the originator of this club, a man named Foodstick. Man, that truck was more fun to ride in than a barrel of monkees and cornered like it was on rails!!

I always wanted to do one like it... Just need to finish the one I have first.

BTW, look on FTE (it never links right to here) for a Crown vic install thread in the 61-66 forum. That is how NOT to do one, substituting skinny unreinforced brackets for the Ford top part on the frame. Bad news.

61 Merc · Post by **61 Merc** » August 14, 2009, 5:00 pm

Just looked at that and it does look scary, I would have used all the parts from the car as it was designed. Maybe it's the engine that will give the front end most of it's support.

Dean

tarps3 · Post by **tarps3** » August 18, 2009, 2:23 pm

I saw the top line of this thread and had to tell you all what I saw this weekend at a cruise-in.
I drove my '66 and had to park it in a nearby grassy lot due to the ABUNDANCE of newer cars like PT Cruisers, Crossfires, etc.

Of course they all had what I call "comic book wheels and tires" so that made them all fancy-like. One or 2 even had some flame decals ooooo!

Anyway, I was very excited to see a '65 slick shortbed that had a really pretty paint job (well, prettier than mine anyway). The front end looked to have been modified with some sort of different grille - it looked "off" but the real surprise came when I looked at the dash.

This "truck owner" installed (crammed) a Crown Victoria dash in place of the original dash. It looked very, very weird and off-putting.The ends looked to be fairly butchered to make it fit and the contour of the dash was just awkward when placed up against the windshield.

It had electronic gauges so I assume it was from an 80's model of Crown Vic.

It had some strange-proportioned seats in it too.
I'm usually a "to-each-his-own kinda guy" but ....eeewwwww!

That's all I remember. I was feeling a little naseuous and had to go sit down....

he looked right at home next to the PT Cruisers with over-sized chrome wheels/spinners.

61ford · Post by **61ford** » August 18, 2009, 4:40 pm

wasnt an 80s model those werent id say they went electronic prolly in 92

sheltonsklassics · Post by **sheltonsklassics** » August 20, 2009, 10:49 am

Ma I agree with deviant1.. 2003 AND NEWER VIC SWAP IS FOR SURE THE WAY TO GO.I HAVE DONE IT ALSO AND I WILL SAY IT IS EASIER THAN ANY OTHER FRONT END CONVERSION IN MY OPINION.I did alot of research just like you and finally decided to go for it.Your more than welcome to come look @ mine if you don't live to far away,Or I would be glad to give you any info I can

I_am_fishbait · Post by **I_am_fishbait** » August 20, 2009, 1:31 pm

Thanks for the info guys. By the way I thought you guys would like to hear that I gave the bug to my uncle and it bit him, he bought a 61 Uni the other day. The body is a bit rougher than mine but I will give him a big thumb up because it already has a 460 planted between the rails. I imagine once he gets it road worthy it will pass just about anything but a gas station. Ha

Hey Skelton didn't you promise us some more pictures awhile back. ( I ran across your name in my research) Though I would understand if your wife threatend to beat you with a stick if she caught you uploading pictures of ANY kind. HA

I need the final word on the Crown Vic Swap Topic

I need the final word on the Crown Vic Swap Topic

crown vic swap