--- title: "This Lifted V8 PT Cruiser on a 4×4 Frame Is the One to Buy" description: "There's currently a 2008 PT Cruiser for sale that's been lifted on a ladder frame chassis, with a 305 Chevy V8." date: "2023-05-21" modified: "2023-05-21" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/this-lifted-v8-pt-cruiser-on-a-4x4-frame-is-the-one-to-buy" categories: - "Chrysler News" - "News" - "News by Brand" tags: - "Chrysler" - "compact" --- # This Lifted V8 PT Cruiser on a 4×4 Frame Is the One to Buy ![]() I know what you're thinking. You want to buy a [PT Cruiser]() but it's just not rugged or powerful enough. How can you get that retro-American styling and famed early 2000s [Chrysler ]()build quality, just with more power and off-road capability? Naturally, you bolt a PT Cruiser body to ladder frame chassis and stuff in a V8, like [this one that's for sale]() in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The seller apparently took the wheels off of a Surf Blue PT Cruiser and simply bolted and welded it to a ladder frame chassis. They then stuffed in a Chevy 305 carbureted V8 and paired that with a Chevy 700R4 four-speed automatic transmission. Power is sent to all four wheels, via a Ford rear end and a '60s Dodge front end. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Suspension-wise, it's still running MacPherson-style struts up front, with the bottom of the strut tower seemingly connected to the ladder frame via two rods. How the rear is connected to the chassis is unclear. It's also riding on steelies with extra tall sidewall tires but I fear how this thing rides, given its mysterious suspension setup and wobbly looks. There's also a full-sized spare tire underneath trunk. Inside, it looks like a normal PT Cruiser, with the typical body color-matched dashboard trim, cloth seats, and four-spoke steering wheel. The only noticeable difference between this car and a stock PT Cruiser is the extra long automatic gear lever, which sports a handle seemingly made from a deer antler. Interestingly, the shift gate patter is reversed, so from top to bottom it goes "1, 2, D, N, R, P," which is written in market on the custom metal trim plate. ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Being a 2008 model, this PT Cruiser likely originally had a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, making around 150 horsepower. So the Chevy V8's 230-ish horsepower (depending on which specific 305 it is) is quite the upgrade. The seller is asking for $3,500 for this FrankenCruiser and claims in the listing that it's "just a fun car." With a raised ride height, [small-block Chevy V8](), and hilarious looks, it should be just a fun, if pretty sketchy, car indeed. *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()