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Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???

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JillRide9

Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« on: September 13, 2007, 10:33:17 AM »
Hi everyone!
About a month ago I got stuck on getting a Sammie to take the kids off-roading.  I have had 2 Jeep Wranglers in the past.  Well, after driving a few Sammies I have decided they are not for me.  At this point in my life I really need something reliable that I will not need to work on all the time.  Went to Carmax this weekend and drove a 1998 2Dr. Sidekick and a Wrangler.  I liked the sidekick (night and day compared to the Sammie).  Now I am pretty much leaning toward a Sidekick/tracker 2dr soft top.

Now I find a nice 2002 Chevy Tracker 4x4 2dr, 5 sp manual.  These seem to have a little more fluff than the Sidekick, but how do they do off-road.  I will mainly be on Forest service roads, stream crossings, a few rocky steep sections, but no real rock crawling.  Is the Gen2 cars much different than the Sidekicks, are they just too car like?

Thanks,
Jill

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JillRide9

Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #1 on: September 13, 2007, 10:34:42 AM »
I forgot to mention, this car will only be used for off-road use and for towing behind a small motorhome.  I have a mini cooper S convertible as a daily driver that I absolutely will not give up!

Cheers, J

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Offline Zukipilot

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #2 on: September 13, 2007, 10:55:49 AM »
With minor mods that tracker will be able to do what you want with no troubles.

Check out the Gen 2 section at http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/index.php?board=10.0. They will be able to give you some good details on the mods that has worked for them.

Zig
Zukipilot
'92 Liberty Overland Sidekick

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Offline jzap

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #3 on: September 13, 2007, 07:30:01 PM »
Its capability off road surprises a lot of people.  They are extremely capable for the type of driving you are talking about, and more.

I agree about the Sami.  I liked mine.  It was simple and reliable, but the Tracker is just so much more comfortable to drive.
Jim Z.
96 Tracker
66 Apache camper

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Offline olija

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #4 on: September 13, 2007, 09:16:44 PM »
I'd say it's probably on par with the Sidekick in terms of off-road capability. They aren't really much more car-like aside from the rack-and-pinion steering and maybe a few other things. They also benefit from the larger 2.0 engine (unless it has the 1.6 still). Throw a small lift, skidplates and some bigger tires on and it will take you anywhere.
97 Sidekick 4door 5 speed, 1.5 spacer lift, 2" body lift, CJ rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low <SOLD>
01 Vitara 2.0L 5 speed, 2.5" Calmini lift, 2" body lift, Sidekick rims, locked rear, 31's, 4:1 low, 5.13 diffs <SOLD>
03 XL7 2.7 5 speed, 4.5" AE lift with OME springs, 2" AE body lift, 5.13 diffs, 3:1 low, 235/80R17 BFG AT's on Ultra 17x8 with 1" spacers, skid plates, Balmer Fab front bumper

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Offline bbagwell

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #5 on: September 15, 2007, 01:34:59 AM »
Better off road then any Heep  ;D.
2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara
1983 Toyota PU

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Offline john1974

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #6 on: September 15, 2007, 08:11:00 AM »
well for a idea on who well they can do, here are two threads (warning alot of pictures) with a couple trackers.  Mines the black one.

http://www.zuknation.net/zuknation/ZN/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1854

http://www.zuknation.net/zuknation/ZN/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=1864
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Offline museboy07

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #7 on: September 15, 2007, 09:21:10 AM »
Hey john how does your automatic and 5.12 gears pull them 31s around...good? bad?  Is it good on the highway and around town on hills?
1994 Tracker, 2in Ironman springs w/ 1in spacers on top, soon to have custom diff drop brackets, 31x10.5-15 All Tarrains, Pro Comp long travel shocks, KYB performance struts, strut mount flip w/2in extensions, 3in rear a-arm spacer, ...DD

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Offline john1974

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Re: Chevy Tracker 4x4 off road ability???
« Reply #8 on: September 15, 2007, 12:09:01 PM »
Hey john how does your automatic and 5.12 gears pull them 31s around...good? bad?  Is it good on the highway and around town on hills?

75-80 MPH all day, speedo is dead on also.
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