As you guys that have been following my build know I lost my first rebuilt engine after 18 months/30000miles and have been trying to get Luigi back up for adventures. Well I have 1800 miles on my new engine so hooked up adventure trailer to Luigi and drove to Ocotillo wells off road area(90 miles) Had lunch, a siesta in my new hammock and drove home. I tried to do 55-60mph for better fuel economy. with the new 5.12 gearing I could have done 80-85 through the mountains but since I kept speed down I got 19 mpg towing. and this is all mountain driving except for 40 miles off it

SIESTA

I think I am ready for longer trips here is how Luigi and the trailer are set up

LUIGI-01 Tracker build list
•   Trailer hitch-Done
•   Tire upgrade-255/70/15 AT2’sDone/ 31x10.5x15 Gladiator mudders-DONE                 
•   Front/Rear hardtop- $895 maybe? (2)
•   Winch bull bumper-Done
•   Winch-DONE
•   New engine-Done  POORLY HAD TO BE REDONE 
•   Roof cargo rack-Done/upgraded to 4’x3’ freeing receiver hitch
•    ARB Locker-Done
•   ARB Air compressor/air up kit-Done
•   Suspension lift 2”-Done
•   Manual locking hubs-Done
•   2” body lift- installed
•   Rock sliders-Done
•   Recovery kit-Done
•   Tow bar-Done
•   Brake buddy-$300-400-
•   Front skid plate-Done
•   Rear diff armor-Done
•   CB-Done
•   Hi lift jack with rack and 2 gallon fuel can-Done
•   Vitara 4dr rear coils springs-Done
•   Off road lights-Done
•   Pacer Fender flares-44”x 2 +46” x 2 =180” =15ft x $7 =$105 (3) ? After body lift evauluate
•   2” cat back exhaust-Done
•   Windows tinted-Done
•   I Pad mini with GPS and cigarette mount-Done
•         5.13 gearing-900-1500 -DONE
•         Co2 air up system-Done
•         Smittybuilt tire awning
•         Smittybuilt sand ladders
TRAILER BUILD
Update-6/2/15
•   Build box- 4x4x2 box –Done
•   Build box Lid-Done
•   Add roof racks to lid-?
•   Add stove table to trailer-Done
•   Propane bottle-5gallon-tongue mount -Done
•   T pipe, hoses, little buddy heater and Lantern-Done
•   Stove and oven-Done
•   Propane Campfire-Done
•   Bbq-Done
•   4 12 gallon folding lid totes-Done
•   Water system start with tub and 2 5 gallon containers then 10-15 gallons 12v pump with small sink
•   Kitchen sink-Done
•   Tent/Tentcot-Done (Backups for more than 2 people)
•   Cots-Done(Backups for more than 2 people)
•   Pantry boxes-2-Done
•   Folding chairs-Done
•   Folding table-Done
•   Easy up/Tarp-Done
•   Porta potti-Done
•   Mount rear receiver hitch-Done
•   Cooler rack-need to beef up frame to mount-Done
•   Smittybilt roof top tent-Done
•   Camp Chef portable campfire
•   Coffee press
•   Hammock
•   Deep cell battery-$80.00
•   Solar panel-$80.00
•   Inverter –needs to be mounted
•   LED Lighting-lanterns to start then 12v permanent system

Hey Cap'n - have you fitted that nylon bush yet?  Did it solve the front diff leak?

Yes its in with a new seal and I replaced my water pump too. it was from the old motor and supposedly brand new, lasted one month longer than their engine. The 5.12 gear is a huge improvement when towing

nice to hear that you like the gear swap ....also wow lots of miles so far. but  glad your back up and running and happy with what was accomplished

been driving mini road trips since install to get miles up so I could tow/plus being a fireman I am off  during week and exploring is what I like to do

What tires did you have mounted for your trip with the trailer and how well matched-up are your gear and tire combo to your factory speedo?

I run 255/70/15 General AT2's they are 30" and at 55mph I am doing 58-60 according to those radar signs when I did the factoring formulas it came out to 7% low for my 30" tires and 15%low for my 31" tires performance wise my tracker pulls better with trailer and 30" tires than it did with 235/75/15's with the old 4.88 gearing. have not tried the 31" tires with the new gearing and trailer yet but it pulled it with 4.88's OK so it should only be better

Captwoody,
   Sorry we didn't meet up at TDS. That 2002 Tracker went by the wayside back to the crooked dealer. I now have a 2004 Silver 4 door and moved out near Joshua Tree. If you ever want to make it out this way and run some of the old mining roads would be great to wheel with you. I was wanting to do Rattlesnake Canyon from Lucerne to Big Bear but with the fires that is on hold. Wife and I started a group on Meetup called Morongo Basin and Beyond 4x4 that will have some runs posted but we are just starting and have first one scheduled for this coming Sunday.

Michael

yea I know about that crooked businessman stuff that what happened to my first engine. got mine back up and running and would like to explore  your end of the desert. I have my Joshua tree pass. I will talk to wife about sunday and try to figure out Meetup to look at your run post

Not sure if the link is ok to post but here it is:

http://www.meetup.com/Morongo-basin-beyond-4x4/events/223558660/

 Basically meeting at 0800 near Joshua Tree Lakes RV Resort. There is a BLM area that has some basic trails near there. A lot of the area around here is loose soil to soft sand and then has some hills with some dark shale and rock. I am still stock but have some 235/75 AT tires that have worked fine taking the back roads around here. I have seen a nice lifted X90 running around but never caught up and talked to the guy.

   I will have my wife along with me on the run as she enjoys it as much as I do. If nobody else signs up we can change meeting point/ time to have breakfast or whatever needs to happen for your trek out here.