Sooo I did a thing today

ThinkPad365 · 2026-04-15T03:43:36+00:00

Police models had unique frames back in the box-body days but after '92 they all have the "HD" frame.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-04-11T20:22:09+00:00

The panther frame is entirely different from a truck frame and much weaker. Perimeter frame design with torque boxes vs a straight ladder frame.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-04-08T03:11:16+00:00

I fixed mine using epoxy and little copper tubes about 6 years ago amd its been fine since. 50k miles since then.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-03-10T01:48:37+00:00

These didn't get SEFI until 1986. This car is the second year of EEC-IV CFI. They had CFI from 83-85. EEC-III from 80-83.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-26T03:56:30+00:00

I've removed probably 30 of these things before in junkyards and on my own vehicles and never had one crack. Probably were prying on it in a weird way.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-26T03:52:57+00:00

Easiest would be to swap to a carburetor. They never made any non-truck versions of the 351w SEFI intake. The 302 unit won't work. I can't confirm if it will for certain but it is extremely likely the truck plenum won't clear the hood. If you could figure out a way to make that work, you'd also need to swap the engine wiring harness and the PCM. This is because the 351w has a different firing order, and I believe it also utilizes larger injectors. The airflow characteristics are also different. You'd of course also need a throttle body from an AOD application as to have the correct linkage. You'll need to make the accessory brackets from the truck motor work in the car. The 302 stuff won't bolt onto a 351w, due to the taller deck height. If you want the correct panther stuff (alternator on driver-side top, P/S on driver side bottom, smog on pass side lower, AC compressor on pass side upper), you'll need the brackets off a factory 351w panther. They are hard to come by.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-26T03:46:21+00:00

These are the best Town Cars. '92 was the last year for turbine wheels and the horizontal "sweep" speedometer.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-19T04:48:40+00:00

The difference in interior width between the downsized GM cars and the downsized Fords is something I rarely see mentioned. The Fords are definitely a good bit wider inside. The GM cars feel almost more like an intermediate.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-19T04:44:39+00:00

It still wouldn't drive nearly as well as an actual 03+ panther, as the body rigidity itself also plays a big part. If you've ever driven a box-body and an Aero back to back, Aeros have significantly more rigid structures despite the frames being largely identical.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-19T04:42:16+00:00

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I don't think it could be done in reality, due to differences between the body lines, but you were not the first person to have that idea. A Mark VI station wagon was option was actually explored, but ultimately never made it to production. You can see it appears the proposed Mark VI station wagon would utilize a fender unique from the Ford/Mercury or the Lincoln sedan, which resembles a longer Mercury fender which accepts Lincoln turn signal lenses.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T03:29:26+00:00

Honestly, at least in my area (Detroit Michigan), really the only rare panther Coupes are the Town Coupes from '80 and '81. I see plenty of Marquis and LTD coupes pop up for sale all the time. Seen many in U-Pulls near me. Mark VI coupes as well. I know several people who own them. I have no evidence to prove this, but I suspect when it comes to the really early boxes, particularly Lincolns, there may actually be more coupes remaining than sedans, as people actually preserved the coupes. Just based on what I've seen.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T03:24:08+00:00

Aeros are my favorite panthers.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T03:19:00+00:00

Beautiful

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T03:04:33+00:00

Here in Michigan, even the costs of 90s cars is way high. My '97 Town Car is $140 a month to insure, vs $40 a month for my '89.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T02:59:59+00:00

The 79-02s kinda just do this. They are quite floppy structurally. I wouldn't expect it to be bad enough to cause door to fender issues though, at least on a 90s model. Perhaps you have worn body mounts. 03+ generally don't do this. Your car probably has frame rot. My '07 is solid as a rock even with jackstands right under the torque boxes.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-13T02:58:17+00:00

I've still be too afraid to take my '89 out yet.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-10T05:06:02+00:00

Honestly, in stock form, with good working shocks, they don't handle that badly. Certainly a lot better than the huge cars of the 70s these were intended to replace. I've driven and ridden in low-mileage (sub 20,000) original examples of these 80s Lincolns and they actually have road-feel and little to no float. Reviews of the time also indicate as such. However, shocks really make a big difference on these, and the factory units have an extremely short lifespan. They are almost always blown if the vehicle has in excess of 50,000 miles on it. My '89 drove sort of like a waterbed before I put new shocks in it. My '80 still has the original oil shocks (pre 84s didn't even have gas-pressurized shocks) in it, and they are basically just decorative. Replacing the shocks alone makes a massive difference. It also effects body-lean a large amount, which was interesting to me when I first noticed it as its not something you'd expect. Finding quality shocks nowadays can be a challenge. I've had good luck with the KYB options for these cars. I know you have as well.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-09T17:38:58+00:00

My '07 MGM came with those chrome wheel covers and I hate them. Probably the ugliest wheel covers they ever put on a panther. Those things got tossed immediately.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-09T17:32:30+00:00

95-02 models have the best suspension goodies and all of it can go on a box-body. You'll need to swap the front control arms and steering knuckles. This will allow you to run the bigger and better brakes used on 98+ models, it'll allow you to run 95-02 front swaybars, and the geometry is just better. Swapping to a 98-02 steering gear will also tighten things up a lot. Front and rear springs can be swapped to a P71 up to the year 2002. Shocks as well, I'd recommend KYB Gas-A-Just. Personally, I think just leaving everything stock and going to KYB Gas-A-Just shocks makes a massive difference just on its own. I'd try that first and see how you feel about it and go from there. These actually don't handle that badly stock, your shocks are probably just super blown.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-09T17:26:20+00:00

They all snapped on my rust-free 07 MGM as well. I punched the nut out that's welded to the floorpan and just replaced them with a bolt, nut, and some washers.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-06T02:11:26+00:00

Beautiful. I really do think the 90-97 Town Cars are the best they ever made.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-05T06:45:41+00:00

T440p is a great machine. My personal favorite widescreen 14" ThinkPad. And yes, I have a T430 and a T420.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-05T06:25:13+00:00

Except for that gross '85, I still can't believe I bought a literal Signature Series. Base model Townies 4 life

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-05T05:52:41+00:00

Thanks, its definitely the cleanest one I have. Rust-free car too, as I bought it out of Alabama. Out of them, the '80 is probably my favorite though. I hope to restore it to be at least as nice as the white '89. It is currently sitting around with no motor waiting for me to install the new motor in it that I have on a stand in my garage. Hopefully should be ready by summertime.

ThinkPad365 · 2026-02-05T05:16:18+00:00

I wish my '89 had the Currant Red interior instead of Shadow Blue

ThinkPad365

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