The EEK! (Every Extended K) Cars
EEKs are those everyday, durable, interchangeable cars produced by Chrysler throughout the 1980s and 90s, the mainstay of their existence, the pride of Lee Iaccoca - any car based on the K platform, loosely interpreted to include the various extensions of the K - such as the Daytona, early Caravan/Voyager, Spirit, etc. (A full list is further down on this page).
Technically, the only K-cars were the Reliant, Aries, Limo, Executive, and LeBaron; but a wider group of cars with similar architectures and dimensions are lumped together as EEKs, and the public tends to refer to them as “K-cars.”
The EEK group has an active EEK! forum.
The edited and organized EEK articles and mailing list archives now contain:
Repairs
Drivetrain (including electrical)
- Engine mount solutions - replacing a transmission mount
- Replacing stuck oxygen sensors
- Engine centering (to avoid CV joint wear on FWD cars)
- 2.2 and 2.5 liter Dodge, Chrysler, and Plymouth oil leaks and other repairs
- Replacing a 2.2/2.5 liter engine's head gasket - also see this page
- Fuel injector diagnosis and replacement.
- Fuel pump diagnosis and replacement
- Distance sensor symptoms and replacement
- Here's another, more detailed page
- Getting through emissions inspection
- Replacing manual transmission cables
- Cheap fix for a "bad" starter
- Replacing water pumps (when doing the timing belt)
- Fixing valve seals on the 3.0 liter V6
- Replacing oil gallery plugs
- More repairs including leaky valve cover gaskets: see the 2.2/2.5 liter engines page
Other
- Common EEK repairs: windows, steering racks, tail lights
- Disabling the switch that puts the a/c compressor on when you defrost
- Replacing ball joints
- Fixing brakes
- Air conditioning repairs, upgrades, and refills
- A/C panel lamp replacement (Aries/Reliant, possibly others)
- Choosing a body shop
- Removing adhesive trim
- Replacing shock absorbers
- Fixing a sagging headliner
- Load levelling suspensions (air shocks): replace them | fix them
- Suspension tightening through bushing replacement (with photos)
- All other repairs
- Instrument cluster failure: Joseph Kan wrote, "After checking fuses, I removed the IOD fuse from the fuse box under the hood (to remove power from the components that stay on when the key is removed, and to reset these components). I waited twenty minutes and replaced the fuse. When I tried the ignition, everything worked!" (At a $500 savings over the dealer estimate) - confirmed by Fritz and Laurelyn Schrom (also saving $500) and by Gary A.
Maintenance
- Oil filters for EEK cars
- Fixing paint | Getting a nice finish and removing decals
- Headlights: DOT vs E-code
- Ending door squeaks
- Synthetic oil discussion
- Radiator flushing (safely)
- Replacing automatic transmission fluid
- Pros and cons of using Bosch spark plugs
- Polishing EEK wheels
- Replacing timing belts and setting cam timing (see also replacing 3-liter V6 timing belts from the main repairs page)
- Bleeding air out of the radiator to avoid overheating and head cracking
Performance
- A K Rally car!
- Racing your EEK!
- Circle track racing your EEK (or other car)
Suspension and brakes
- Handling upgrades
- Brake upgrades - recently updated! Detailed!
- Sway bar upgrades for better handling
- Coil spring clamps for lower height and better handling
- Suspension tightening through bushing replacement (with photos)
Drivetrain
- Exhaust upgrades
- Advance cam timing for power and economy
- Tuning 2.2/2.5 TBI engines for higher performance
- Turbocharging the Mitsubishi/Chrysler 3.0 V-6
- Upgrading to a manual transmission (from an automatic)
- 2.2/2.5 liter TBI engine mods
- Turbo bleeds
- Major minivan buildup
General Information
Drivetrain
- Manual transmission information
- Automatic transmission information
- Racing your EEK!
- All about alternators and generators (also see our guide to 2.2 and 2.5 liter engine alternators
- Upgrading your EEK! by adding cruise control
- About the minivan all wheel drive setup
- 2.2 liter TBI engines | 2.5 liter TBI engines | Turbo engines
- SOHC vs DOHC - what's it all mean, and what are the tradeoffs?
Other
- A guide to the various LeBarons
- An EEK! (Daytona) testimonial from Panama
- Stereos: swapping them, upgrading the speakers, and eliminating speaker buzz
- Dave Lucidi wrote that on digital dashes (except 1987 and later Daytona, LeBaron Coupe), switching the switch on the back from US to EXPORT will allow the speedometer to surpass 85 mph.
Relevant Allpar areas
Plymouth Reliant, Dodge Aries, Chrysler LeBaron
The original K cars! Aaron Gold's and Michael Swern's loving descriptions and history, with information for owners. Read about the cars that started it all.
Dodge Daytona and Plymouth Laser
Includes a detailed chronology, specs, performance and repair info, and maintenance tips. A well done and comprehensive page by Keith Knuth.
Chrysler Limousine and Executive
Interesting details on the stretch K-cars that have largely been lost in time.
Chrysler E Class and New Yorker, Dodge 600ES, Plymouth Caravelle
Chris Wax's history of the series, with details on each individual model and reviews - a well written, extensive page.
Super K: Dodge 400, 600 (and 600ES Convertible), Chrysler LeBaron
Craig Dunham's history of the 400, 600, and LeBaron coupes and convertibles based on the K-car (yes, it overlaps with the prior article, that's our fault).
Sundance, Shadow, and Duster
Comprehensive pages, with history, character, troubleshooting, upgrades, specs, and competitive comparisons
Shelby CSX
The ultimate Sundance - a true pocket rocket you could rent!
Spirit, Acclaim, LeBaron, Saratoga
A short history of these underrated family sedans, with performance information, specs, and production figures.
Dodge Spirit R/T
A history of the 224 hp four-door family sedans that broke all the rules with advanced technology and a 2.2 liter four cylinder engine.
LeBaron Coupe and Convertible
A brief history and description of these nicely styled cars, well written and with specifications.
Magnum (Mexico)
A very brief writeup with photos of the Mexican Magnum
Handling modifications
Ways to increase the handling of your EEK
Engine modifications
Get some more power
Minivans (page to come soon)
The Caravan, Voyager, and Town & Country - the first generation were EEK!s.
EEK Engines
2.2, 2.5, turbos, 3.0