PT Modifications

PT Cruiser owners quickly learn that there are literally hundreds of modifications that can be made to personalize these cars. Appearance modifications range from lower springs to woody kits to flames to custom front ends to custom wheels and tires. Interior modifications range from custom dash panels to custom gear shift knobs to additional gauges to custom sound systems. Additionally, performance modifications are available.

The first modification we made to the PT Cruiser was making it towable behind the motorhome with 4 wheels on the ground. We purchased the Remco Transmission Lube Pump, RoadMaster EZ tow brackets and RoadMaster Falcon II tow bar from Miracle Hitch and Muffler. They installed all of the components and modified the wiring on the PT Cruiser to allow the Motorhome lights to control the parking lights and turn signals on the PT. The Falcon II tow bar mounts in the 2" receiver hitch on the motorhome and folds up against the motorhome when not in use. Hook up is easily accomplished by one person. Protecting the PT from paint chips while towing has been an issue. First we tried a custom made bra from Chrysler. While the bra did a good job of protecting the PT from paint chips on the front end, it got some sand under the rear edge of the bra and damaging the paint from the abrasion. I then tried the TowCarDeflector, which is a plexiglass shield that mounts to the tow bars. It did a great job of protecting the PT Cruiser BUT it should not be used with the transmission pump. The lack of airflow over the engine to cool the transmission and pump resulted in very high underhood temperatures so I removed it. I am now just using a good paint sealant and continuing to search for better alternatives.

The modification bug then set in. I removed the factory front license bracket (which was black) and mounted the license to the bumper using a narrow plastic mount. I added rear splash guards and painted them body color. I added a chrome PT Cruiser rear license plate frame. Then came the flames. I found the All-American Flag Flames met my needs. Then came modifications to the interior. Door panel inserts that match the Shadow Dot pattern on the dash were added. Then a chrome billet aluminum gear shift knob was added to replace the plastic cue ball shift knob that comes standard on the GT. The black plastic air conditioner vent knobs were replaced with chrome billet aluminum vent knobs.

Modified License Mount, connector for lights and transmission pump is located just to the right of the license, tow bar brackets are barely visible beside fog lights.

Left: my GT before any modifications, Center: added rear splash guards which I painted body color, a rear bumper protector, Right: after I painted the bumper protector body color and added custom backup lights and a flag

Before and After Flag Flames

Left: chrome billet gear shift knob replaced the plastic cue ball, Center: chrome AC vent knobs and AC control knobs, Right: door panel covers match the dash