Towing a boat w/ 2002 Crown Vic Police Interceptor

Hi - I have a 2002 CV and just bought a new boat, which, all loaded up with gas and equipment weights about 2200 lbs (boat, motor, trailer, gear). The owner's manual says the towing capacity is 2000 lbs, but I have the police interceptor version, which has, according to the additional documentation (there's a supplement to the owner's manual for the PI version) enhanced brakes and a heavy-duty transmission. I understand it also has a transmission cooler, although I don't know where it is. So...how sorry am I going to be that I bought this thing instead of a used truck, is there anything I can do to make the car more suitable for towing, and what's going to wear out first?

Thanks - Billy

Most factory transmission coolers are built-in the radiator. You can either keep using it as is, or my personal preference is to ADD an external cooler in front of the radiator/AC cooler. Disconnect the trans lines from the radiator, connect the rubber hoses to them and then to the new cooler.

I have done this with many of my vehicles to (1) help reduce the strain on the radiator to cool, (2) reduce the amount of heat going back into the transmission, and (3) in crease the longevity of both the engine and transmission.

The 4R70W transmission is the same as in the trucks and Mustang. Your best bet would be to go to a trailer shop or RV shop and discuss this with them. Most will agree that adding an addtiional cooler will help more.

Should have added this earlier. Look at Summiit Racing, Jegs, or some other aftermarket online sales for auto parts. Select a good, name brand cooler and you can't go wrong. I would advice in the area of 10,000 to 24,000 lbs.

This would be MY minimum recommendation.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/FLX-4116/

Hey thanks for all that.

Can you tell me what you mean by 10,000 - 24,000 pounds? I assume you don't mean that I can then tow that much. :-)

Also, are you saying the CVPI has the same transmission (4R70W) as the Mustang and trucks (which trucks?)?

it is more than likely the f-150 seeing that it is only one with the 4.6L motor in it. the rangers and explorers have the 4.0L and the trucks f-250 and bigger have the 5.4L and the trighton v8 and the diesels which have the hevyer trans. now the 10000 -24000 lbs is pounds per squar inch of line pressure. so you wont blow apart the lines to the transmission.