I've been looking for a tracker for awhile know.  Prices are all over the place. Around here, the older ones seem to sell for more than the newer ones.  My question, what is the best year and setup to start with?  Plan on maybe a 3" suspension lift and 30" or so tires.   Whats best for on road and some off road play.  I just don't know what the differences are that makes the prices vary so much.  Thanks...

There's a lot to look for. Really it depends on your needs. I have a 90 tracker 2dr with the 8 valve engine and love it. 96-98 have a 16 valve engine with OBDII. In the middle is the 94-95 2doors and the 4door models with the 16v OBDI which a lot of guys on here like because it's more powerful than the "old" 8valve but without the electrical headaches of the newer OBDII 16v.
Also soft tops are different. 89-94 are different from 96-98 and I believe that 95 is in a category of it's own with zip out windows or serving. Hopefully someone else can chime in here.
Lastly there's some gearing differences if you get auto or 5spd. Autos are 4.625:1 R&P, sticks are 5.125:1. 4doors got 5.125:1. Only exceptions are the 91 4door 5spd got 5.375:1 and an ultra rare 89 sidekick with a 1.3L 5spd with 5.625:1. Hard to find those.

Looks like you're looking for what I got. My 90 2dr Tracker LSi tintop is on 30s with a 3" Calmini lift. I've had good luck with the lift so far (knock on wood). It has stock 5.13 gears and a 5spd and 8valve engine and I can cruise at 70mph comfortably as long as there's mo headwind or major incline it holds speed very well. The engine has a Dynaflo muffler and hi-flow cat with a Thorley long tube header and a K&N filter in the stock airbox (does ot make a difference? I dunno because i bought it that way so i couldnt compare before and after). Add to that a transfer case gear reduction and I love this thing!

personally if I could find a newer one (maybe lower miles too) for cheaper than a older one I would jump on it. I would get a 2.0L 5-speed rig if I did/do it again. some people dont like the gen 2 because of aesthetics (I really dont mind them.)

By "newer" I assumed you were talking about gen 2 correct? 99-05

BTW prices vary by sellers opinion most of the time. rarely "blue book" values apply to the older stuff. when I was shopping for my gen1 4 door I found butchered child owned total crap for twice the money of clean decent stockers.(maybe a 10 dollar autozone shifter handle doubles the value)  

Thanks for the info guys.  Maybe I'll get some more.  Are the body's different from 1990-1998, or do the tops just attach different?  And yes I was talking about the 99 and up.  I found a "cherry" 95 2dr. 4x4 5sp. conv. for $3700. it was pretty base line. Thought it was a little high.  Their was several 99's for around $2500-$4000.  I found a 90 tracker 2dr.5sp.4x4 conv. for $800 in decent shape.  Sounds like that will do for what I want.
  I cant believe all the junk that people want a high price for that has very few usable parts and runs rough and drives horrible, but tells you it runs and drives great. 
  Whats the best suspension lift for a 90 tracker?

Thanks for the info guys.  Maybe I'll get some more.  Are the body's different from 1990-1998, or do the tops just attach different?  And yes I was talking about the 99 and up.  I found a "cherry" 95 2dr. 4x4 5sp. conv. for $3700. it was pretty base line. Thought it was a little high.  Their was several 99's for around $2500-$4000.  I found a 90 tracker 2dr.5sp.4x4 conv. for $800 in decent shape.  Sounds like that will do for what I want.
  I cant believe all the junk that people want a high price for that has very few usable parts and runs rough and drives horrible, but tells you it runs and drives great. 
  Whats the best suspension lift for a 90 tracker?

IMO. trailslayer from trail tough. might be a bit radical for a first step though. the "normal" first step is coil spacers. and fresh shocks/struts (I recommend).

Your location matter greatly. I am in the rust free heaven called Oregon. Just transplanted from Minnesota. Back east rust has done in most of teh 1st gen stuff. Motors and drivelines are cheap there - if they haven't been sent off to be melted to make new ones. From 10 feet away it might look fine. But 4 years ago I sold my 1995 Tacoma back to Toyota under a frame rust buy back program. My parents have a 1995 Nissan that they have welded plate to the frame 3 diffrent times to patch it together. So if you have salt.. you have rust, where there is rust.. you have junk

Thanks for the info guys.  Maybe I'll get some more.  Are the body's different from 1990-1998, or do the tops just attach different?

Whats the best suspension lift for a 90 tracker?

For the soft top the mounting hardware is different, but the body itself is the same.  So if you can get all of the hardware from a 89-94 or 95-98 Tracker you can swap soft tops between them.

As for the best lift, there are lots of discussion on that.  For cheap fun you can't beat a spacer lift, but I found the ride quite a bit harsher then a spring lift.  Then there is the ever popular solid axle swap.  It all depends on what you want to use it for.

I have a '96  soft top 2dr 5spd 16V.  Other than 235's to replace the original 205 tires, I have done nothing to it.  It is very good on the street, and is capable enough off road "box stock" that I really haven't felt the need to do a lot of mods.

Try taking it out stock.  You may find that you can have enough fun as it is that you really don't need to lift it.

I have a '96  soft top 2dr 5spd 16V.  Other than 235's to replace the original 205 tires, I have done nothing to it.  It is very good on the street, and is capable enough off road "box stock" that I really haven't felt the need to do a lot of mods.

Try taking it out stock.  You may find that you can have enough fun as it is that you really don't need to lift it.

This is good advice! Mods are like tattoos and potato chips can't just have one.....and then it's off to the races!

I'm not looking to lift for offroad use. Just to put on bigger tires to bring down the Rpm's running down highway.  Kinda like the calmini 3" suspension lift.  Just need to find out if I can do it myself without a lot of modifying.

if its staying on the road. calmini is a good choice. just dont expect any customer service once the "card is swiped" thats when there done with you. search it.

Try taking it out stock.  You may find that you can have enough fun as it is that you really don't need to lift it.

x2

Just to put on bigger tires to bring down the Rpm's running down highway.

You could always change gears but it's kinda pricey.  Most guys on here I see run 235s on stock rims (maybe some 30s too) and go anywhere with it.  Try the cheapest solution first and work your way from there.