What did you do to your PT today?

[ed9msi]

Originally Posted by rcktpwrd

There are less expensive versions of these speakers available too, not that these are very expensive. If your not running an amp you don't need speakers that can handle 75+ watts.

Interesting, which model would that be?

[ed9msi]

Originally Posted by imickey503

I really have done a lot of my PT Cruiser this last week so I'm just going to go and convince it all here because you know what I really got to think a lot of you guys because some of the information you folks put out is just amazing.

I too have done a serious speaker upgrade and actually it's not really that I replace the speakers but so much as what I did to them that really did matter.

I went to the junkyard just the other day and I picked up the actual kicker OEM speakers that I picked out of a Dodge Neon I got the front tweeters the front midbass drivers for the doors and I also got the rear six by nines ever in the back just for s**** and giggles.

I was even able to find something kind of odd where I went to one PT Cruiser actually found a 2in driver that was in the dash location that was a cone driver and I've never seen that before.

something else I've never seen before was the 4 disc CD changer actually mounted to the lower cubby that was new and so I got most of the parts for that and especially different face you where I actually want to install stereo wet underneath in that location.

I spent the time to actually test every single one of the tweeters and even though I went to Best Buy and order the OEM adapters I couldn't find any of them so I'm back to square one on that

however I tested all the drivers and I found out the characteristics of all of them I've even tested out the really cheap drivers that are available and I think I posted a video about those while ago which was the little half inch dumb drivers,that are in my opinion nice but inferior in many ways.

in my opinion the one-inch drivers that are made in Mexico that are labeled premium are really premium style drivers and in fact they get even better if you actually aim them towards your ears.

the 6dB crossover slope works very well with the stock drivers if you actually take the time to do the sound deadening of the doors, the problem is that it's simply way too much and really does need at least a 12db crossover point to play cleanly.

I've installed subwoofers I've done a lot of other stuff and I think I really do need to send like a little build log here because I've done a lot of things to it and I have planned to do a bunch more.

I plan to take at least a hundred pictures and post them soon and honestly I really need to make some videos and somehow two things on what I did because I think we'll be pretty good once I finally get it all together.

Looking forward to the continued story.
Interesting since you do a lot more than just remove the old and put in the new. How do you for instance get to the result that the crossover point should be at least 12db, is it experience or do you measure it in some way?

[soonercruiser]

Got the Panel Cruiser back from the body shop today!
Beautiful prep and paint job.
Beginning to put some custom parts back on her.
See my project thread for pictures.

[rcktpwrd]

Originally Posted by ed9msi

Interesting, which model would that be?

I got the speakers from OnLineCarStereo

lots of options in 6x8:
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/prod...rt=LowestPrice

and 6.5" components:
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/prod...rt=LowestPrice

or 6.5" full range:
https://www.onlinecarstereo.com/prod...rt=LowestPrice

[ptprice]

It's what I had to do to my PT today.

While driving on LPGA Blvd yesterday morning, suddenly SOOO BIG's engine stopped running. Fortunately I'd just slowed to cross rail road tracks so I was able to safely coast off the road in front of Holly Hills scrap yard. This wasn't tp be a portent of SOOO BIG's future.

I called USAA road side assistance for flat bed transport to get to my trusted mechanic, Anwar.

Later that day he called with the diagnosis. Fuel pump failed. There goes my stimulus payment I've been holding in reserve. Who knew it'd be for a new fuel pump? The original Chrysler pump is exorbitantly expensive. Add to that at least two hours labor including the full fuel tank has to be drained before it can be dropped to install the new pump. Off course I'd just done a fill up. Big bucks fix.
Why doesn't Chrysler have a fuel pump access hole in the floor under the back seat? Seems like a great idea. For those of you who haven't experienced the high labor cost of replacing the PT Cruiser fuel pump assembly, cut yourself a fuel pump access hole. Make it your next to-do, must-do project. Post your results.

This one was cut 9" square Position the hole using the small centered indented hole for location reference. Don't know what that hole's for. It's just there. As your cutter might come in contact with the top of the pump assembly you'll have to temporarily drop the tank an inch or so for clearance.

In retrospect, when cutting this access hole, remembering the problems airplanes often had with metal fatigue around rectangular and square windows, I'd make the hole oval or round.

Make a cover plate for the new 9" fuel pump assembly access hole with a surround of sealant to prevent leakage. No biggy.
downloa.jpg

IMG-20201208-074128.jpgpump access.jpg

[ed9msi]

Originally Posted by ptprice

It's what I had to do to my PT today.

While driving on LPGA Blvd yesterday morning, suddenly SOOO BIG's engine stopped running. Fortunately I'd just slowed to cross rail road tracks so I was able to safely coast off the road in front of Holly Hills scrap yard. It wasn't SOOO BIG's time yet.

I called USAA road side assistance for flat bed transport to get to my trusted mechanic, Anwar.

Later that day he called with the diagnosis. Fuel pump failed. There goes my stimulus payment I've been holding in reserve. Who knew it'd be for a new fuel pump? The original Chrysler pump is exorbitantly expensive. Add to that at least two hours labor including the full fuel tank has to be drained before it can be dropped to install the new pump. Off course I'd just done a fill up. Big bucks fix.

Why doesn't Chrysler have a fuel pump access hole in the floor under the back seat? Seems like a great idea. For those of you who haven't experienced the high labor cost of replacing the PT Cruiser fuel pump assembly, cut yourself a fuel pump access hole. Make it your next to-do, must-do project. Post your results.

This one was cut 9" square Position the hole using the small centered indented hole for location reference. Don't know what that hole's for. It's just there. As your cutter might come in contact with the top of the pump assembly you'll have to temporarily drop the tank an inch or so for clearance. Make a cover plate for the new 9" fuel pump assembly access hole with a surround of sealant to prevent leakage. No biggy.

Wow, so you mean if you cut the floor open you can actually change the fuelpump from within the car without having to remove the fueltank first?

Did you buy an original Chrysler pump?

[ptprice]

Originally Posted by ed9msi

Wow, so you mean if you cut the floor open you can actually change the fuelpump from within the car without having to remove the fueltank first?

Did you buy an original Chrysler pump?

Yup and yup. Anwar uses only original equipment. I have complete faith in him.
I just sent this fuel pump assembly access hole cut to both my sons and brother. They all still drive PTs.
In retrospect, remembering the metal fatigue problems air planes had with square and rectangular windows, I'd cut the hole oval or round.
It was an unexpected repair on SOOO BIG as he's a low mileage PT with only 95684 miles.
It's not a roundtoit project though. It should be a top of your list to-do, must do project.

[Carl48]

Thanks for the info and pics.
Probably should have done this last summer when the tank was dropped
to replace the canister and "leak detect pump". It was a PITA.
If the corners of the square are cut slightly rounded it will relieve
formation of a stress cracks.
Wise move using OEM pump.

[ptprice]

SOOO BIG's fuel pump replaced.
$319.00, fuel pump assembly
$26.85, replace relay.
$297.50 for labor.
Lower than expected.

[soonercruiser]

Tore apart the dash and removed the passenger side airbag cover & air bag.
Going to DIY repaint the to match the Deep Ocean Blue of the new body color.

Ordering another hidden antenna; as my first buy was a bust!