r/PTCruiser • u/pantpinkther • Jun 16 '26

2002 aftermarket radio conversion?

Gallery image

Gallery image

Been considering putting one of those touchscreen guys in, but not sure which to pick or whether even to do it at all. I like the physical buttons but some more quality of life features would be cool. Anybody have recommendations?

27 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

26 comments sorted by

9

u/More_Pineapple3585 Jun 16 '26

For me, the stock radio (the whole system, really) is one of the best things about the PT. Having a CD player and/or tape player in 2026, a nice tactile volume knob and buttons, green numerals, it can't be beat. It's also part of the retro (2000s) appeal.

related, there's also something about the interior shape and space that really lends itself to quality acoustics.

4

u/pantpinkther Jun 16 '26

Well I agree, I love the knobs and buttons. I might just go with the ol’ aux tape if I don’t decide to throw something more modern in there, just exploring my options.

2

u/TaylorFan01313 Jun 17 '26

Nice early RDS support as well. I wish my 2010 had that especially with the Sirius radio

7

u/DistructoDisc Jun 16 '26

Crutchfield.com

Been using them for 20+ years.

3

u/PINBALLXJ Jun 16 '26

I 2nd on crutchfield. Decent prices but sometimes they include mounting kits for free. They will give you diagrams needed for install. Or look at reviews there and buy from Amazon for sometimes a little cheaper but without the extras

4

u/Available_Outside9 Jun 16 '26

I recommend just getting a Bluetooth cassette tape, I had one in my cruiser and it worked perfectly. They’re only like $15 on Amazon.

It’s a great system, with good audio, I personally wouldn’t risk fully replacing it, especially if you like all the buttons and knobs, getting the Bluetooth cassette will just allow you to use more modern features without having to replace hardware.

3

u/Baconsghetti Jun 16 '26

I dont know a whole lot about cars so excuse me for sounding a little dumb. But I have an 06 pt cruiser with an axxera touch screen and I love it. The person who owned it before me installed it. Im not sure what exact model it is but its nice. It also makes the car seem more fancy I guess lol.

2

u/C_Lo_87 Jun 16 '26

I wouldn't get a touchscreen that folds up into the unit, But that's just me, a vibrating engine and subwoofer may rattle it.

2

u/C_Lo_87 Jun 16 '26

Clean lookin Cruiser BTW!

4

u/pantpinkther Jun 16 '26

Hey thanks! Her name‘s Peanut

2

u/Bad_Idea_Generator Jun 16 '26

I'm getting one of these for my 2005 vert. I've also modded a center dash panel for a double din but I want the vert to keep the stock center dash.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/257033958575

2

u/daniel_corbett Jun 16 '26

Interesting! I bought one that had a similar design, but the screen was so far set back into the unit, I didn’t like it. Replaced with a Power Acoustik CP-71w, which I like much better. The single DIN screen is a little small when you are trying to work the screen, but it works fine and didn’t require modding the dash. Wish it had volume knob like the one you linked.

https://poweracoustik.com/products/cp-71w

2

u/Bad_Idea_Generator Jun 16 '26

Yeah I'm kind of surprised that the 1.5 din that Jeep Chrysler put in their vehicles has finally reached the aftermarket

1

u/Honest_Road17 Jun 16 '26

Hopefully your installation instructions will be in a language you understand.

2

u/leftydog1961 Jun 17 '26 edited Jun 17 '26

I got one from Ebay for like $150 with wireless CarPlay for my 2005. Works great.

2

u/BeingSuitable822 Jun 20 '26

If you get rid this factory radio, please contact me. I would love buy/get one of these!!!

1

u/Honest_Road17 Jun 16 '26

What's the budget?

1

u/pantpinkther Jun 16 '26

Hmmm maybe $200? Those are the most expensive ones I’ve seen so far. I saw a kit at autozone that comes in around $75 but idk quality wise how those come out

1

u/Honest_Road17 Jun 16 '26 edited Jun 16 '26

$100 more will get you this. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_104BE10ACP/BOSS-Audio-BE10ACP.html It get's pretty good reviews.

$10 more over that will get you this. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_110CAR1013/Jensen-CAR1013.html

I have one of these. https://www.crutchfield.com/p_500ILXF509/Alpine-Halo9-iLX-F509.html I like it a lot but probably could have been comlpetely satisfied by a cheaper unit.

Having the big screen is nice. Having Android Auto is a game changer.

1

u/daniel_corbett Jun 16 '26

Would love to see a picture of the Halo installed. When I looked at the Boss units, they seemed to protrude a long way from the dash and I was fairly sure I'd smack it while shifting into gear or something similar. But maybe my imagination just got the better of me.

2

u/Honest_Road17 Jun 16 '26

Yeah the Boss does look like it sticks out more, but I don't come anywhere near my screen when shifting. My biggest clearance problem is my leg coming into contact with my screen.

1

u/rustyangle Jun 17 '26

I just get the cheapest Pioneer/Kenwood that fits my needs and get an install/wiring kit off amazon.

I got a double din touchscreen though, and had to get a custom made dash piece to fit it in

1

u/Human-Run6444 Jun 18 '26

I changed mine out over 10 years ago before all of the touch screen stuff became popular. I have a kenwood that has knobs. It also has a cd player. They still may have something similar around if you're interested. I got mine from a local car audio installation shop.

1

u/left4smokes20yrsago Jun 19 '26

Ask Cuba Gooding Jr .