Looking to buy a Crown Vic police car.

Anyone have info on plice auctions and how to go about getting one?

If you live in any major city area, there should be a police auction once a month. They don't keep all the great parts in the old cruisers thatthey auction off though.

They strip the interior, swap the bullet-proof tranny for the stock one, couple of other things.

If you want a fast sedan, go looking at used Mercury Marauders. They sell at way better prices a year or so used then the new ones, and it's the same performance.

wait, do you still get the five speed auto, and prefromcance ECU that the cops use? and what about the spot lights and the rammers?

They throw the stock tranny back into it, so unless the stock tranny was a 5 speed, which i don't think they were/are, you won't get it.

Whether or not the chip is still in there i don't know. You know that unless you drive one. The 'rammers' are a hit and miss most of the time, and the spot lights are traditionally taken off.

Like i said, a used Marauder will give you the same performance as a police edition crown vic, but it'll be alot more luxurious and won't have been bagged on as much!

Plus, you should still have some warranty which would weed out any problems with the car.

they do not take out the trannys on them all. i have a interceptor that was a state patrol , and a buddy of mine just baught one to and they both have everything original. it might just depend on the state.

it might just depend on the state.

Exactly...in my case, province!

Take out the "Bullet Proof" trannys and replace with stock? LMAO, that's hilarious :D!

Why do you want a used vomit commet police intercepter anyways? If you honestly believe they're a super duper special version of the plain jane Crown Vic, check out www.crownvic.net and do some research on the car.

Landyacht - there is only ONE tranny for any and all Crown Vic's and Grand Marquis. There is no 5 speed auto available for the Panther platform.

there is only ONE tranny for any and all Crown Vic's and Grand Marquis.

That's what i thought;

unless the stock tranny was a 5 speed, which i don't think they were/are



Take out the "Bullet Proof" trannys and replace with stock? LMAO, that's hilarious !

^ I don't follow you... this IS what they do in Canada; or at least did until about 2 years ago.

I should clarify my last post;

Unless my info is incorrect, there are 2 transmissions, the one for regular commercial/retail use, and the one for the police edition. When they get rid of the police edition cars from the fleet, they change the trannys. Because they're bullet proof.

Maybe i'm on drugs, but this was my understanding...

I should clarify my last post;

Unless my info is incorrect, there are 2 transmissions, the one for regular commercial/retail use, and the one for the police edition. When they get rid of the police edition cars from the fleet, they change the trannys. Because they're bullet proof.

Maybe i'm on drugs, but this was my understanding...

Nahhhh, they only use one tranny..... the Ford AOD, and trust me THEY ARE FAAAAAAR from bullet proof :biggrin: . The Police Interceptors have everything the normal CrownVics have, the only differences being

1. Oil cooler
2. Stiffer suspension
3. Heavier brakes
4. Rubber carpeting
5. Bucket seats
6. High output alternator
7. Auxillary fuse panels in the front passenger and rear trunk
8. Rear door linkage removed
8. Spotlight

Honestly, seeing how these guys treat their cars every day. I would suggest you pass on one of these. They aren't much different from a regular C/V.

1. Oil cooler
2. Stiffer suspension
3. Heavier brakes
4. Rubber carpeting
5. Bucket seats
6. High output alternator
7. Auxillary fuse panels in the front passenger and rear trunk
8. Rear door linkage removed
8. Spotlight

Really! I didn't know that was it...Didn't they used to have higher performance engines and the whole bit?? Talk about me being out of touch!!

I guess i'll stick with my original statement;
a used Marauder

:smile:

Nope, just a plain jane 4.6L. I've hear alot of people say that they had everything from superchargers to nitros oxide. The truth is, my 4000lb+ truck has more balls than those things :lol:

Here are some additional facts (SCPD Mech corrected some):

-The trans used is the 4R70W/4R75W ('04 and later). The AOD went out in '91.
-The "P71" police package cars DO get some additional power from dual exhaust and revised programming.
-The P71 has a higher idle, THAT is why the alternator output is higher, the ALt is physically the same.
-They have different wiring harnesses, andpre-wiring options for strobes etc.
-They offer "RF" shielding for the cabin
-They only come with steel wheels.
-They have "recovery aids" installed
-They have different gearing (exact ratio is MY dependant).

They are truely a HD family sedan, very durable, and low cost of ownership. They (the "police package cars") are NOT luxery rides, but cheap and durable transportation.

you all need to do some research. i work for Ford Motor Company. the engines are different. take a stock 4.6 and an interceptor 4.6 and get into tearing it down and there are big differences. the interceptor engine is beefed up and considered a high performance engine. the transmission has bigger stronger forged steel gears to take the abuse and they are programed with higher shift points, they stay in first till 58 mph. there are different police packages offered: police package, police interceptor city, and police interceptor pursuit (highway patrol).
get into the workings of these cars and you will be impressed with the performance and the beating they can take and not be hurt by.

Penguin,

That is a load of BS.

Why don't you go to www.fleet.ford.com and read the FACTS for yourself. Don't feed people bull.

you all need to do some research. i work for Ford Motor Company. the engines are different. take a stock 4.6 and an interceptor 4.6 and get into tearing it down and there are big differences. the interceptor engine is beefed up and considered a high performance engine. the transmission has bigger stronger forged steel gears to take the abuse and they are programed with higher shift points, they stay in first till 58 mph. there are different police packages offered: police package, police interceptor city, and police interceptor pursuit (highway patrol).
get into the workings of these cars and you will be impressed with the performance and the beating they can take and not be hurt by.


I have yet to get behind the wheel of a C/V that holds 1st till 58MPH..... at least ones that didn't have a blown trans (and alot of them do :banghead: ). As for the forged steel gears, I couldn't tell you because I have never torn one apart.... but I will say that Ford needs to beef up the tranny (clutch packs/cooler) and rear axles (ongoing problem with the C/V for the last 10 years. IMHO the driveline in the crownvictoria is FAR..... FAAAARRRRR from bullet proof.

yea, they do have upgraded performance under the hood, and back to the exhaust. they tend to keep it a close guarded secret-but hey, it slips out sometimes....

oh, one more thing, they have stage 1 armor in the door, hood, and windows. protects em from small cal. bullets and little damage in wrecks. least that's how it is in indianapolis. but we're not buying any more-suing ford infact so they won't sell indy any more. moving on to impala's, intrepids, and the new chrysler 300's.

Sure guys. How many of you all have actually SEEN an "in service" car and compared it to a civilian model?

Since I see them EVERY DAY, and even OWN a retired Patrol car ('99 CVPI), I can tell you all this crap about special engines, transmisisons and stuff is total BS. I even know where the local departments have their cars outfitted, and have seen what they do and how they do it. It is nothing special.

Believe what you want, and be happy in your ignorance.

Believe what you want, and be happy in your ignorance.

Even when you try to set boneheads like this straight - they simply want to belive a fantasy.

Oh well, ignorance is bliss I guess.

Oh well, ignorance is bliss I guess.

LOL, i guess that would be me...i appreciate ya'll clarifying that for me...i've been fed a line somewhere along the way!

MercCougarXR7 What colour is the paint job on the Cougar? Looks like Sonic Blue??

Nice looking car!

Sure guys. How many of you all have actually SEEN an "in service" car and compared it to a civilian model?

Since I see them EVERY DAY, and even OWN a retired Patrol car ('99 CVPI), I can tell you all this crap about special engines, transmisisons and stuff is total BS. I even know where the local departments have their cars outfitted, and have seen what they do and how they do it. It is nothing special.

Believe what you want, and be happy in your ignorance.

Outfitting the cars is actually part of my job. We even have to stripe them up! Here's a pick of one of the trucks....

http://www.squadpix.com/pictures/newyork/ny064.jpg

Yes, I figured you would be posting accurate info, since there is no reason for you not to, and you actually work with the things daily.

Thank you Sir, it is Sonic Blue.

Don't feel bad about being fed a line - most people believe they're 'supercars'.

Dont' get me wrong, they're one of the better cars on the road today as far as durability, safety, comfort.

But what the cops drive is little more than what the typical Geezer Vic is.

the p71 crown vics have interceptor motors, there different from the civilian s. all u dumass's who think p71's are just normal cars need to do some research. better yet compare ur car to an interceptor, its a lot different. by the way the police package includes heavy duty suspension, bigger rims/tires, dual exhaust, heavy duty hoses and wiring, better brakes, oil & tranny coolers & interior perks.

... p71 crown vics have interceptor motors, there different from the civilian s. all u dumass's who think p71's are just normal cars need to do some research. better yet compare ur car to an interceptor, its a lot different. by the way the police package includes heavy duty suspension, bigger rims/tires, dual exhaust, heavy duty hoses and wiring, better brakes, oil & tranny coolers & interior perks.

Sure........

Having owned both a "civilian" CV, and a "P71", I can tell you there is NO SUCH THING as an "interceptor engine". The ONLY difference on the engine itself, is the addition of a BOLT-ON oil cooler. The small difference in power is COMLETELY due to the dual exhaust and programming differences in the engine's computer.

The BRAKES are EXACTLY the same as those on civilian cars, except for using a different material for the REAR piston calipers to prevent overheating of the brake fluid (same exact size, just a different material).

The RIMS and tires are also the same size, all '98 up cars get 16" rims, and P225/60R16 tires (except the Marauder which rides on 17" rims).

ALL CVs get tranny coolers.

ALL CVs have the SAME "hoses" standard, however a silicone hose package WAS an option for the P71.

Get your facts straight.

I thought that was sonic blue...

Oh well, maybe it's better to be ignorant about police cars...that way you'll fear the cops a little more. I think that's something not enough people do these days.

Not afraid of cops, just of jail.

It's amazing how much disinformation is being thrown around here. The CVPI is not a civilian car, it does have a much stiffer suspension, more body welds, heavier guage sway bars, heavier front and rear springs, non-serviceable ball joints and tie-rod ends, a different steering box, which is not comaptable with the civilian one. The trans is heavier duty, even though it could use some more work, the engines are the same just different programming, of the PCM, which also controls the transmission. The car does have the silicon hose option, also a different wiring harness for Police options, which include a breakout harness for the horn/siren, addditional wiring for lights and radios, in the grill lighting, ignition noise suppression, uses the Ford towing package to control the rear deck lights if equipped, and additional wiring harness run up to the center of the roof line for lights, the BIG dome lamp. Has the option of ABS and Traction control delete.(up to I think about 1999) Brake and fuel lines are now covered in pastic to prevent rusting out (a big problem in the Northeast) clock delet, trunk button reassignment to where the clock was, some custom rear end ratio's, Posi-trac (not Ford name but the same) rear axle, the list goes on and on. If I can find the disk I have the complete list from the New York State bid list. Has lots of goodies, more interesting, is the State really wants you to order non-police cars if they are not being used in active police service.

Radioman,

Most of your info is accurate, a couole things are not quite right.

1) Sway bars. The CVPI does have bigger sway bars than a standard CVLX, HOWEVER they are smaller than those installed on the cars equipped with the Handeling & Performance Package, so they do not get the "biggest" sway bars of all CVs.

2) The transmissions are EXACTLY the same internally, with the exception of having a longer output shaft and housing (by 1") to reduce the driveshaft length (for NVH).

3) ALL CVPIs have either 3.27 or 3.55 rear gears, and Trac-Lok has been an option most years.

4) The main interior wiring harness (body harness) is "different", it includes A power wire set near the transmission hump for radios etc., and the larger dome lamp. However, the rest of the lighting and wiring differences are mostly OPTIONAL wiring, and not standard.

4) Thru 2002, I have not seen any "plastic coated" brake or fuel lines. But some of the fuel lines are MADE of plastic.

5) ALL CV/GM/Town Car steering joints are "non-serviceable", and have been so for many years. The CVPI gets NO different parts than any other.

6) While you are correct that the CVPI gets a different steering gear, it IS interchangeable with the cicivilian models, I have done it.

7) There is no "towing package", nor wiring for it available in any CV/GM/TC.

Sounds good to me how does one go about getting one?

I have done a lot of work on all the years of 1986 to present on the CV PI. Including some pretty stange versions, including the first flexible fuel ones tested here in 1985-86. A lot of the parts are not interchangeable, the steering box being one of them. Maybe you are right about the plastic brake lines, luckily I have not had work on them since they started appearing, unlike the old ones that would rust out in about 3 years. Next time I am at the local Ford dealer, I'll get the 2 different part numbers for the steering box. I don't know if you have seen the relays for the optional tow package but they are the same used for the additional rear deck lights. They are located in drivers side trunk. They were on all the CVPI up to a least the late 90's. Now most departments don't bother ordering the rear deck lights, they install arrow-sticks.

You can get one by going to a local police auction. They're usually held once a month and old police cars are ALWAYS going through there.

But like i said, you'd be better off spending the extra money on a Marauder if you want a big, fun sedan.

By the way:

(except the Marauder which rides on 17" rims).

The Marauder rides on 18 inch rims, for '03 anyways...i doubt they dropped to 17 for '04. I used to sell them (the car that is).

Yup, you are correct, major typo.

No worries, just a little FYI.

:smile: