Model Year Distinctions

[Cruizin Chic]

Is there any way to tell which year a Cruiser is? My 2003 has the rear brake light at the bottom of the hatch window, but I don't notice anything else. Experts???

OOPS!!

It IS at the top! I'm home alone, so I went out propped my umbrella on the brake and ran to the back to snap a pic. SURPRISE!! The light's on the top. (I guess we really could use a blushing smiley!)

[Marc]

Really?
I haven't heard of the switch from Top to bottom of hatch for the 3rd Brake light before.

Do you have pictures of this?

[Bosch]

Some differences between the 01' and 02' are the smaller rear headrests, double front armrests.. Painted bumpers started to come from the factory..


And marc the 03 brake light is in the same place as ours.. If Chic's is at the bottom of the window I want to see it too...

[Ratdaddy]

Is the hatch open or closed???

[Marc]

Cruizin Chic,
Did you buy your Cruiser NEW off a Dealer's lot or did you buy it used?

If used, I suspect a Custom Brake light Job

I can give you the 2001 Model year differences

Early 2001:
No passenger Arm Rests
No Under Seat Drawers (passenger side)
Only a 2 switch Window control panel on Dash
Driver's and Front Passenger's Headrests are Tilting Forward and Backwards and Up & Down
Side mirrors are retractable
Passenger Front door has Key Lock
3rd Brake light is on top of rear Hatch
Wheels on Limiteds are real Chrome some are smooth, some are with dimples (mine has the dimples)

Introduced the 4 Window switch on Dash later in the year 2001
and stopped the Tilting Headrests in late 2001 (I think)

[PT Pammie]

I have a '03 and the break light is at the top. No painted bumpers either,..... yet.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Originally posted by PT Pammie
I have a '03 and the break light is at the top. No painted bumpers either,..... yet.

Hi Pammie in 2003 I believe the base and maybe the Touring Editions didn't have painted bumpers.

The brake light changed locations in 2002.

Early 2001's only had 2 window switches later 2001's had 4 window switches.

Tail Lights, and headlights are the same on all years

2003 base models have the same engine block as 2002's

2003 GT's have a different engine block, and a ton of other parts

[PT Frank]

Only the base models came with unpainted bumpers for 2003, all others where painted. For 2004, they are all painted, by the way. The brake light never changed locations on any year.

[aquacruisersteve]

One of the things I noticed on a 2003 Turbo is a lot less insulation on the interior and only one rubber seal around the door. My 01 has two seals around the door.

The other thing I noticed, if you have a sunroof on a 2003 it doesn't open as far as a 2001. If you hit the open button let it open all the way then hold the button again, you get about three more inches on a 2001. At least this one in my garage.

[Cruisin1]

My 01 base model (1T3) has the 2 window switches on the dash & no head rest on the rear seats.........