Anyone here have a Crown Vic Police Interceptor?

[sigp220.45]

I just picked one up that used to belong to the local S.O. They had used it as a transport vehicle. Lots of miles on it (184K) for a 2001, but it runs like a champ and it was only $1500. New tires, an uncracked windshield (a true rarity around here), a push bumper, and a spotlight. I talked to the S.O. mechanic who said it was mostly used to haul prisoners to Albuquerque and most of the miles were from highway driving. He said it had regular oil changes and routine maintenance. It never had a light bar, so no holes in the roof.

Other than an alarming tendency to blow up in rear end collisions, is there anything else I should know about this car?

This isn't it, but it looks just like it.

 

[s&wchad]

I couldn't resist!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yil9wlfa0yo

 

[ditrina]

Ya beat me by four minutes
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHa_jqxnn4o

 

[Nightowl]

I would guess that the driver's seat would be broken down from all the time "in the saddle". Check out hoses and belts.

You should get a lot of use out of it.

 

[Lt JL]

be ever vigilant about your oil pressure and level. scout out the extra fuse blocks. Test the alternator. Good luck. If people don't mistake you for a cop, they will think you are a taxi or a pizza guy.

 

[USAF385]

is there anything else I should know about this car?

Don't be surprised if people are always driving slowly in front of you!

 

[Grayfox]

I got close to 80 of 'em. Or at least our fleet of police cars does.
Great cars. In the 20 years I've been turning wrenches for the city, nothing and I mean NOTHING has held up as well as the Crown Vic.
I've been impressed enough that I got my wife a Grand Marquis.
One thing though, don't let that name "Police Interceptor" fool ya. Long gone are the days where such a title meant extra power. Today it only means the car has a heavy duty electrical system to carry all the lights, cameras, computers, etc and comes pre-wired with factory harnesses for much of it. Other than that, its the same car your local dealer sells.
Of course Ford's 4.6 liter engine is nothing to sneeze at. For a big, heavy, full sized sedan, that sucker will fly!

 

[dhallz71]

My Gran Marquis shuts off at 98. Ford dealer said computers are programmed that way on civilian cars. Not on P-71`s. As long as they can get fuel, they`ll keep accelerating.

 

[MKT]

Someone might mistake you for a Fed

Was it equipped, or does it still have a stealth package since it never had a light bar?

 

[panamajack310]

My intercepter is in the back left of the picture...It also has all of the trimmings and fun stickers on the side.

 

[jframe]

Since I am a Ford parts man, I see my fair share of these from our local PD here in Muscle Shoals, and the Colbert County Sheriff's Department. Very trouble free, all things considered. Couple things come to mind. Some of the later models had trouble with the electric cooling fan and motor assembly, which is only available as an assembly. But I think your 2001 would be exempt from this problem. I have sold several axles for these, but that is to be expected from cars driven by guys doing bootleg 180 degree turns at 60 mph through ditches. Usually all they need is the axle, bearing, and new seal and rear end dope and they are good to go. The ones with 31 spline axles seem to do better than the 28 spline jobs, but I can't remember what year they went to 31 spline. Also do a few blend door motors on the A/C units that switch the underdash door from hot to cold, but then again, not a really big deal. ALL Fords have problems with those it seems. Watch out for window regulators on all four doors. There again, these have been junk in my opinion since they went to cable operated regulators instead of the old scissors type. Engines and major mechanical are great, as long as proper service has been performed. Great cars overall and ride fantastic. I know these cars are not slouches, but I sure miss the days when I was a kid and they had 460 Interceptors in Fords and the big 440 Monacos that Dodge made. Anybody who says those cars weren't four door hot rods just hasn't ever ridden in one under hard acceleration or even around corners with their stiffened suspensions. Love to see those cars featured in magazines occasionally.

 

[Raider]

I promise that you WILL get lots of attention. I have a 97 Crown Vic 4 door, red in color. I get attention with that. Seems that people think its a Fire Dept. vehicle.

Charlie

 

[2Loud4You]

You just deprived a brotha from ownin a bubble with dubs.

It is now your civic duty to make it up to him so you'll need a lift kit and a minimum of 20" rims, preferably 24" rims these days.

 

[BarbC]

I have something similar: 2003 Mercury Marauder. After 94,000 it still handles tightly. I've had the belts and hoses changed and do regular maintenance, and never had any issues with the vehicle. I can easily drive 12-14 hours at a time in comfort.

 

[CAJUNLAWYER]

Push Bumper and spot light are a nice touch. I think you did real good-bonus points if it still has the cage in the back

 

[n4zov]

All you will ever need to know about LEO vehicles:

http://www.copcar.com/link.htm

http://www.lasd.org/sites/car-test/index.html

Also here is a list of options included in most Ford Crown Vic Police Packages:

# Brakes/4 wheel disk/police level
# Engine oil cooler
# Transmission oil cooler
# Full wheel covers
# Power steering oil cooler
# Heavy duty battery
# Certified calibration (2% speedometer)
# Heavy duty suspension
# P225/701R15 "all season" BSW tires
# Shock absorbers-nitrogen pressurized
# Conventional spare tire
# Upper ball joints-lower friction, lube for life
# 3.27 Rear axle ratio w/non-locker axle
# Stabilizer bars
# Remote decklid release
# Heavy duty springs
# Cooling pkg/police level with 8 blade plastic fan
# Heavy duty frame(chassis) & body mount lower radiator air dam
# Heavy duty (130 Amp) alternator
# Dual beam dome
# Ignition feed wires/3 connectors/30 Amp fuse Map light
# Direct feed wires/3 connectors/50 Amp fuse
# Engine compartment light
# Heavy duty U-Joints
# Single key locking
# 3 1/2" Aluminum driveshaft
# Heavy duty wheel rims(15x6 1/2)
# Dual exhaust stainless steel

 

[gunlovingirl]

My Gran Marquis shuts off at 98. Ford dealer said computers are programmed that way on civilian cars. Not on P-71`s. As long as they can get fuel, they`ll keep accelerating.

My Mustang doesn't shut down at 98. Or any speed, as near as I've been able to tell. Not that I would ever think of going over the speed limit.

 

[special44]

Anyone here have a Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Yes, my wife drives a '97 that we obtained when it had 104,000 miles on it. The car had been a KY State Police cruiser, that had hit a deer. The damage was repaired by the dealer, including a new blue-grey paint job with red pin striping. We have had excellent service with this vehicle. We, thus far, have had to install both rear wheel bearing seals, one brake rotor, an alternator,a fuel pump plus the normal maintenance items, i.e. brake pads, oil & filters etc. We have had trouble at times with the window regulators, i.e., cable and or cheap plastic pulleys breaking, especially in winter. The car has 278,000 miles on it nowand is still running strong. Many folks have invested in these used KSP cars in our county, and one of the large state newspapers had a front page article on the so-called "MagoffinCounty Cadillacs". In our view, they are a cheap, long-lasting form of reliable transportation.

 

[18DAI]

I've got an 04 P71 Police Interceptor. It looks like Darth Vaders used car, and will pass anything except a gas station.

I've got 85K on it. I had a failure on the AC compressor at 72K ($1500) and both catalytic converters replaced (under warranty) at 79K. Other than that no problems. It's my favorite out of all the vehicles I've owned or been issued. I did noticed some paint wear on the hood that will need tending soon.

It does get annoying when I'm off duty and the people in front of me insist on driving below the speed limit....usually while descretely trying to put on a seat belt. On the interstate though this Crown Vic is the pace car. Traffic slows down, moves to the right and gets the hell out of the way.

Shame Ford won't sell any more Crown Vics to the public. One more stupid move......in a sequence of stupid moves. "Hey we make the only RW drive vehicle that Police and Taxi fleets want. I know, lets discontinue it!" DUH Ford!! Regards 18DAI.

 

[jframe]

Push Bumper and spot light are a nice touch. I think you did real good-bonus points if it still has the cage in the back

Plus the option of no inside door handles.