1st and 2nd gen body parts swapping

[PTmanboy]

I have a 2nd gen only because my wife likes that style. Now that she has a different car the PT is being handed down to my daughter for her first car. She (and I too) want to do some customizing but not with the standard bolt on stuff for that gen. We both like the 1st gen so I`m thinking of swapping the headlights so I can use the Viper nose. Are the fenders the same for both both gens so the headlights can swap and 1st gen aftermarket bumpers fit?
What about the rear bumpers? If I went with a roll pan does one pan fit all years?
I read about the front seat swaps, I know 1st gens do feel better.
What about dash pieces? Is the main dash the same for all years where I can swap the outside pieces so it looks like the 1st gen?
I`m an old car guy. I restored and customized many of them. If your in Florida I`m sure you know my baby I built about 10yrs ago. I`m hoping to do something with the PT. I already looked into putting on small fins

[wwpptc]

I'll be back this evening to help answer some of your questions. Of course they'll be answered by then.

First, where exactly in central Florida?

Jerry

[PTmanboy]

Thanks Jerry. Maitland, just 5 minutes from the north side of Orlando.

[turbo1013]

my 1st gen pteazer fit very well on my 2nd gen body
it is exactly the same except the head lights
my drivers side fender is 2001 and 1st gen headlight
my pass side fender is 2006 and 1st gen headlight
, the roll pan i have not done yet,
as per a guess and just looking (not fitted)
it appears to be the same mounts,,
as i took my pteazer pan off and it looks the same,, not definit yet though
take a look at the pic

[PTmanboy]

Keep me posted on the rear bumper. Looks like I`m in the market for 1st gen headlights

[turbo1013]

Originally Posted by PTmanboy

Keep me posted on the rear bumper. Looks like I`m in the market for 1st gen headlights

cheap on ebay,,
i like the 1st gen as well,
2nd gn headlights look funky to me

[PTmanboy]

I have ahook up at the junk yard and I`m going to post my paint and body for PT stuffs. Theres gotto be PT people within driving distance that need paint.

[quicksilverdon]

Originally Posted by PTmanboy

Sorry, but that's one ugly color... and I like the dream cruiser tangerine!

[turbo1013]

^ thats dreamsicle ^ and it looks awsome, 2 me

[Candyman]

Hey their PTmanboy,

First off, welcome to the Forum!

I have not as of yet had an opportunity to do a swap over personally but have been told that in most circumstances the parts will swap with little to no problem with a few exceptions apparently rumored to be related to a couple of minor alterations in more recent models which may require some slight modifications but I am unsure of what model specific years are speculated to have been involved in the slight changes so depending on your year you may want to double check with someone like Ray from PTeazer just to double check.

As for the fenders, they should be universal. The Headlights are updated to the humped ones on the newer models but as long as you are replacing the entire front end, their should be little to no issues with fitment of older style headlights as far as I know as well.

Also as far as I know the roll pan should fit without any issues as well for all years.

As for the interior though, I am afraid that may be a bit more complicated as the dash set up is completely re-designed so you would have to gut the newer dash down to the fire wall and custom modify the older complete dash to fit accordingly including new mounts which are different, and so forth. Then you are going to have to have to adapt for the wiring harness incompatibility for the older style gauges, dash lighting, air bags, and all other electrical components which are on a different system in the newer models. The A Pillars are also slightly different from the earlier models and will have to be modified to allow for the older style dash, and last but not least, the older center console will fit but also will require some modification in order to fit the different body structure.

Of course I am not saying it can't be done, nor is anything impossible with the right tools and talent, but it looks to be a pretty extensive project to accomplish for sure. I have been working with paint, body, and custom interior long enough to know anything is possible without a doubt.

I am guessing from your previous posts that you also do paint and body as well? If so than of course that is a major step in the right direction big time. My biggest concern at the moment would more so be the overall logistics of doing such a swap.

Lets say you got your Exterior parts including I believe you are wanting the Viper front end from Trick Cruiser, is that correct? I am not sure if they are still producing them as many of their parts are listed as discontinued. One quick word of caution, I have been heavily involved with the Custom PT scene for a little over 8 years now and have seen thousands of PTeazer, and Xenon front ends all over but have yet to see one of the Trick Cruiser front ends in person ever, and given their lower than average cost for parts, it may or may not be a concern as to the quality, fitment, or any other related issues with these parts which may account for the very little units sold. For this purpose, I will use the Trick Cruiser Front End pricing with the lower grille option. For reference here is their Website.

Trick Cruiser Front Ends

Headlights $50.00 each

Viper front end with grille insert Part #PTVF-1G $598
Hella Driving Light Kit Part #H500 $98 Retail

PTeazer Roll Pan $395.00
PTeazer reinforcment bar needed for roll pan $45.00
Total plus Tax:

$1308.92


As for hanging and fitment, and prep, paint, and finish, if you are doing it yourself of course it will be much cheaper than having someone like me shoot it at a shop, especially a custom rod shop as we tend to be on the higher end of the spectrum in both cost, but also in high quality work to a very demanding clientele but anyway, for me to do hang everything and properly align all the gaps to spec, prep and prime the raw materials, prep the interior gauge cluster, center bezel, and passenger air bag cover for paint body color to match if applicable, then re-prep and spray with the new water borne base / clear with extra flex to allow the paint to move with the part instead of cracking or flaking as it would without the flex. Shoot 3 coats of base, and then 3 coats of clear, blending into the hood and front fenders as well as the trunk into the rear quarters to offset any slight color variations from being visible by eye, baking at temp to cure the paint which is a necessity for the water borne big time, including labor and materials, right in the ballpark of around $1200.00 easy on the cheaper side o things. Like I say, if you can do the work on your own you can easily save quite a bit on all the labor to hang and gap, prep, and shoot but no matter what the water borne paints, primer, and so on is way more expensive big time these days even for just a simple OEM finish, and do in part to the longer drying times with the Water Borne, it is much preferred to either have or rent out a proper booth with a good working ventilation system, and heaters for baking at high temp in order to avoid any contamination, or related problems from coming up. I would also personally recommend using a shoot suit as well. I know a lot of people who don't, but I am always more cautious I guess but I really don't want anything potentially coming into contact with my wet paint which might ruin an otherwise flawless finish.

As for the dash, I couldn't find a comparable complete dash replacement to go by other than pricing out all of the separate components so that one I am kinda in the dark on but I would venture to say at least $900.00 plus out of a wrecking yard if your lucky would be my guess. Keep in mind you need everything from the basic dash inner core structure, dash top, air bags, gauge cluster cover, center bezel, passenger air bag cover, gauge cluster, glove box, HVAC Switches, Power Window Switches, and on and on. Basically everything. Then you will also need the center console which is easily another $100.00 used out of a wrecking yard as well, and a pair of older model A Pillars which should be like around $20.00 - $30.00 a piece.

Then you will have to hash out all the electrical issues involved, and adapt all the wiring harness connections accordingly which I have no clue on the cost involved with that.

So just a rough idea cost wise all together.

Exterior Parts:

1308.92

Fitment and paint Materials and Labor

$1200.00

Interior complete dash and center console replacement

$1060.00 (rough estimate)

Total

$3568.92

By the time you were to invest both your time and money into converting your newer body style to the older body style both in and out you could easily have just gone ahead and bought an older PT instead. Even more so if you keep an eye out their are often PT's that have already been completely customized with little miles or use on them that come up for sale fairly often that again you can pick up quite reasonable. Most aftermarket parts and custom modifications as I am sure you already know all too well have no real value so to speak of, but rather are added and modified for more personal enjoyment therefore many custom PT's which have been all tricked out can go for what Blue Book value dictates it is. My PT is a good example as it is already a limited production Dream Cruiser Series 2 Serial # 0377 of a little over 1800 actual units ever produced by Chrysler in 2003, it has every option available including the High Output 2.4 Turbo, 2 way moon roof, 4 wheel disks, heated power custom 2 tone orange and slate leather, and so on. In addition, I also have a good $4000.00 in custom candy paint and air brush, another $3000.00 in full custom air ride suspension, another $2500.00 in audio/video, and much, much more and my high Blue Book is $6450.00. Which of course is why I am keeping my PT and keep on working on it till I accomplish everything I want to do to it which the list is very, very long, and then hopefully pass it down to my boy eventually to continue to show, and enjoy.

I am sure you have already seen my ride here more than once most likely but just for the heck of it, here is my never ending work in progress.



Anyways, sorry for the long post here, but I wanted to throw my 2 cents into the mix for what its worth anyways.

I wish you the very best in whatever you decide to do, and if you do opt to go ahead with things, please be sure to take lots of pic's of your progress for us to check out as we all love pic's here for sure.