ZUKIWORLD Online | Suzuki 4x4 Editorial and Forum
ZUKIWORLD Discussion Forum => Suzuki 4x4 Forum => Topic started by: jayscott11 on June 26, 2004, 04:08:29 PM
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Hi all, I'm looking for some opinions on the strengths and weaknesses of this vehicle. It has the 2.5 v6 with 4wd and antilock brakes.
Anything in particular to watch out for?
Are the stock tires (Goodyear Wranglers) good for winter driving? Is the v6 engine as reliable as the 4cyl I currently have?
Thanks in advance for all replies.
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From what I've been told from a buddy of mine that is a service writer at the local Suzuki dealer, he says the 2.5 v6 is a great engine. It's pretty bulletproof as long as you religiously change the oil using the suggested viscosity. The power is supposed to be very satisfying in comparison to the 4 cylinders. I think you will be very happy with the truck.
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I just bought a LT V6 Tracker two days ago. so far the power is much better than the 2.0. Only thing is it runs the same ratio as the 4cyl. so you will be cruising at the same rpm, 3000rpm = about 70mph. It is much smoother and quieter at speed to.
If you don't need your ZR2 factory skid plates let me know, I'll gladly take them off your hands. LOL....
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Hey! So you need the factory ZR2 skidplates, huh?
I just happen to parting out an 01 ZR2!
Send me a pm. ;D
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Glad to hear that the 2.5 is a solid engine. I thought since it has a timing chain that it might be even more durable than the 2.0, but saw a post whre the chain tensioners were mentioned as a weakness. I hope that haas been fixed, but will remember to watch the oil change intervals and may go with a synthetic after the break-in period.
One of the reasons I wanted the ZR2 was for the greater ground clearance and the skid plate. I figure that if I ever do go off road with it I wont be able to do as much damage! Also up heare in Michigan it may offer protection in deep snow and ice at the end of driveways after plow goes through.
Will my rims from my 1996 2WD Tracker fit the new truck when I change over to winter tires? I plan on driving the rag top 2wd for most of the year and then changing over to the V6 for winter. I hope the new Trackers have corrosion protection since they use a lot of salt on roads here.
Thanks again for all the replies. I don't care what the car magazine reviews say, I think these vehicles are a ton of fun and a great value!
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The 2.0 uses a timing chain also and I heard they fixed that tensioner material on the newer motors (rumor).
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Yes I think your wheels and tires will fit. If it was a GV, I wouldn't be so positive, I think the GV has larger front brakes. They have 16" wheels, not sure if it is that close to the Sidekick Sport theory. Sports did have larger front brakes, that's why they had 16" wheels.
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Will my rims from my 1996 2WD Tracker fit the new truck when I change over to winter tires? ÂÂ
Thanks again for all the replies. I don't care what the car magazine reviews say,  I think these vehicles are a ton of fun and a great value!
The rims will not fit, sorry. The calipers on the New body style Trackers are the same as the ones on the GV. The 15" rims that come on the 99+Tracker seem almost custom made to clear the calipers, you'll soon learn this when you try to find aftermarket 15" rims. GOOD LUCK!!!
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The 15" rims that come on the 99+Tracker seem almost custom made to clear the calipers, you'll soon learn this when you try to find aftermarket 15" rims. GOOD LUCK!!!
Ain't that the truth! ::) >:( and the same goes for 16,17,18 20's too. But I guess if your picky like me, You never find anything. :P All I wanted is a set(5) of 17's that aren't chrome and not off-road style and that don't cost more then $175 each. Is that so hard to ask? The answer.... YES :(
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Try going to www.stocktonwheel.com they custom modify wheels for wider wheels, beadlocks, etc. Try them, you might like them.
Hope that helps.
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up heare in Michigan it may offer protection in deep snow and ice at the end of driveways after plow goes through.
I see we have a nuther Michigander ;D Just like to say whatsup man from lansing Mi.
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I thought that all vehicles since the early 90's came from the factory with corrosion protection. As with anything else I would guess taking care of it would make it last longer. Like hosing the under carrage off more during the winter time.
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Congrats on the ZR2, I have an "o3 Tracker 2 dr.w/4 cyl., I've added skid plates and a K&N. Next I'm going to upgrade the tires but I'm hesitant on what to put on a stock vehicle w/o any problems and maintain the warranty.
do you have any idea as to what you might do for larger tires? I know the older models can use 235/75-15 w/o any problems but I don't think our models can. Keep me posted and good luck w/the Tracker
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I know the older models can use 235/75-15 w/o any problems but I don't think  our models can. Keep me posted and good luck w/the Tracker
Check this out. Here is a 2003 4dr with stock suspension and you guessed it, 30" MTs.
(http://memimage.cardomain.com/member_images/4/web/328000-328999/328312_6.jpg)
He says he gets just enough clearance in the wheel wells.
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Or you could just forget about the lift and put on a set of MATTRACKS. Ground clearance and traction all in one!
(http://www.kyrias.com/deepmud/groomer_on_alton-mt_600.jpg)
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I did the ultimate in bonehead moves last year. I bought a 02 ZR2 yellow 2dr that was 12 months registered and had 12,000 miles. I got it for $11000. My wife was pregnant at the time and I was having second thoughts about having an small trucklet with a family coming. After 4 weeks I ended up trading it for an 01 Galant. Since I got such a good deal on the Tracker I didn't loose much on the trade. As soon as I traded it I knew I screwed up. I ended up getting the 90 as a fun toy. I love the 90, but I always have in the back of my head how cool the 02 would have been. On the other hand I do things with the 90 that I wouldn't do with a new one.
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Sorry to find out that the steel rims I have for my 96 4cyl soft top won't fit on the 04. I am going to try and find some steel rims and winter tires for it, will I need to get these thru the dealer?
As for the 4 cyl. I would like to try and put some bigger wheels and tires on it like I've seen in some photos at this site! I wish I'd found this site last summer before spending $500.00 buying new tires and rims.
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I would like to know how much difference there is between the Vitar and the Tracker. I have an 03 Vitara and when I put 225/75/15 on it they rubbbed it came stock with 16inch wheels. I have the 1.5 coil spacer lift and 1.25 wheel spacers now with no rub but am very close and worried that I will rub with 235/75.
Clay
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rub is all about back spacing usually..they should be little to no difference in the vitara and the tracker..i have spent alot of time with both and both seemed pretty much the same...just the tracker is the more stripped down minimalist version
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Why does the Tracker have to be a stripped down version? You get what you pay for in my opinion. If you buy a base model you get very little with either vehicle. If you spend the extra $$$ you get extra stuff.
You could get a base Tracker with much less stuff in it than Suzuki was willing to leave out of their base truck so that in turn gave the Tracker a much lower base price.
Remember Suzuki didn't let Chevy use the V6 in Trackers until "01 I think.
If you start matching trim level to trim level you could get a Tracker for less than the Vitara thats why I bought the "04 Tracker and not the "04 Vitara of the SAME TRIM LEVEL.
By the way Chevy Trackers hold a higher resale value than the Suzuki Vitara why, the name Chevy. Check it out.
I LOVE BOTH TRUCKS EITHER WAY ;D
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I was rubbing on the palstic cover on the rear of the wheel well. Plus some in the front bumber. As far as which one is better they are both the same. The tracker may have better resale value but the suzuki has better (longer) warrenty. I bought the Suzuki because I could get a better deal on it. I wanted a ZR2 but they would not deal with my trade in.
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i wassent bagging on the tracker..but it is the lesser of the 2...same with exporers u have the explorer and the mercury mountainer the mounty has the higher trim level but costs more so in esence the ex is the stripped down version
if u look at my moms 01 GV and my grandpas 00 tracker they are identical..except the tracker is lacking all of the fancy plastic crap...the seats are 2 tone in my moms GV also just little crap like that..also untill what like 02? u couldnt get a V-6 in a tracker
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I think I'm gonna go with the 225/75-15 the difference between them and the 235's is less than 1" which translates to an extra 1/2" of ground clearance. I know the 225's will fit without much of a problem. Using the 235's if they rub I'm stuck with them and if they rub on the street then off-road it will be more of a problem.
I've been looking at this new Dunlop tire Rover RV-XT, has anyone seen this tire-what do you think?
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As far as which one is better they are both the same. The tracker may have better resale value but the suzuki has better (longer) warrenty. ÂÂ
I think they are the same also. I just took the deal that was right/better for me.
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.also untill what like 02? u couldnt get a V-6 in a tracker
Your right it was "02.
Does the GV have arm rest built into the front seats like captains chairs? I am curious as to if thats just a Tracker thing. Drove a freinds GV last year but couldn't remember if it had the arm rests or not.
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I have the dunlop rover at 225/75/15and am very happy with it. I go out with my club and every time am suprised with what i can do. I use about 15 PSI when offroad. Super Swamper also makes the SSR in a 27inch size witch will fit. My tires on 15/7 rims measure out to 27inch.
Clay
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my moms 01 GV has the arm rests built into the front seats
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if you do any heavy snow or taller grass wheeling the fender flares on a zr2 are going to get torn off, its my only comlaint with mine. the clips that hold the flares on are worthless, not to mention expensive
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I would like to know how much difference there is between the Vitar and the Tracker. I have an 03 Vitara and when I put 225/75/15 on it they rubbbed it came stock with 16inch wheels. I have the 1.5 coil spacer lift and 1.25 wheel spacers  now with no rub but am very close and worried that I will rub with 235/75.
Clay
Did you use the 1.25 wheel spacers to clear the calipers or to help get the tires off the body/suspension/frame?
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I had to use them to get off the calipers. The Suzuki comes with 16inch rims. I am starting to wonder what would happen if I went to a 15-6 inch rims as apposed to the 15-7 I have now. If I would have any rubbing problems. If that guy got 30inch tires under a stock and I had to get a coil lift to properly clear my 27inch tires something has got be wrong with the offset combined with the spacers. Any ideas?
Clay
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I had to use them to get off the calipers.
Clay
The reason I asked is if you can find some factory 15" rims off a 99+ Tracker you could use those, they will clear your calipers. Like I said in an earlier post it's like they are custom jobs.
As to the Tracker with the 30" tires, I E-mailed the owner for more info. I'll keep you guys posted.