Well I took the Tracker on it's first big journey since the build. Here are the pros and cons.

Good- The Tracker handled very well on the road (300 miles) and felt solid. No wondering or bumpsteer. On the snow covered roads it did well even in 2wd. Off road (100 miles) it was awesome. It went through really nasty stuff with ease. Even on some steep, rutted and snow covered (8-10") climbs it wouldn't give up 'till it made it. I was impressed. The lift height was good. The suspension worked well. The tires provided great traction. 

Bad - My gas mileage seems to have dropped significantly. More than I expected. I use to average about 27 mpg. Now I am only getting 20 and that is taking into consideration the 12% difference my speedometer now has. I noticed I can't use 5th gear much anymore. Worthless on any hills now. Acceleration is alot slower. I knew the big tires and lift would effect these things some but not this much.  :'(

Ugly - I have been noticing a growling noise from the drivers side front end. Like a metallic scuff noise. It does it more in 4wd but it will do it in 2wd too but not as much. Even with the hubs unlocked. As I investigated it I could even get it to do it while parked when I would turn the wheels back and forth. Still trying to pin point what is making it. If I jack the front off the ground the wheels spin free with no sound. There is a slight warp to the left front rotor but it doesn't seem to be the cause. Strut bearing? Wheel bearings? Anyone else experience this? 

I know gears are the answer to the big tire issue but I think I will see what I can gain back by increasing my HP with a performance exhaust and air filter until I can afford the gears. Any suggestions on this would be nice too. Thanks in advance.

your experiences seem to be exactly like mine. I am getting around 20 mpg and only have 30" tires but also only have the 8V motor.

I have the grinding noise as well and it making me nutz! I have checked almost everything. I put new wheel bearings in befor the lift and new ball joints with the lift. About the only thing left is the strut rubber (there is no bearing) or I think it make be the eurothane bushings sqeaking. My front struts have a real stiff spot right where ride height is as well.

Take your hubs apart and clean them.  I had a similar noise in my sammi and it turns out a piece of spring or shield blew apart and was grinding around in my hub.

Take a look at the steering center link and the tie
rod ends, if you are getting noise when stopped
then it has to something that doesn't turn.

How about a worn idler arm bushing, the struts
pivot inside the strut body, I doubt you would
hear much if it were in there

Sorry to say, performance parts help some, but
not enough to compensate for the bigger tires,
to get similar performance you need to double
the engine power, which means turbo or more,
and even then it wasn't enough while wheeling,
street was OK tho

Wild

 My front struts have a real stiff spot right where ride height is as well.

Interesting. I just went out and pushed up and down on the front bumper. The struts do make a noise as they first move. Is that what I have been hearing? If it is i hope it goes away. As I turn the wheel from side to side it gently works the struts as well and i hear that same noise. Hmmm? 

Take your hubs apart and clean them.  I had a similar noise in my sammi and it turns out a piece of spring or shield blew apart and was grinding around in my hub.

I will have to check that as well. It may be a combination of things i am hearing. I still have the automatic hubs and a once while climbing a sandy hill (before the lift and tires) I rolled back a little and then punched it again. I heard a bang in the front end and thought I snapped an axle.  Everything worked fine though. I could still get all four spinning and the hub would engage and disengage. Maybe there is some damage in there though.