Hello
 I'm new to 4x4's in general and I recently bought a 1990 tracker. So far I'm having a blast with it and really am enjoying it. I got it very cheap, it needs a few holes fixed in the floors but otherwise it's ok, after I did the front brakes.
  I wanted to get peoples opinions, is an automatic worth while fixing up to go off roading in? Do these transmissions hold up all right in the bush? If it's not worth while is it a pretty easy swap to a standard transmission if I can find a complete donner vehicle?
  Another question, right now when I'm cruising on the highway it's doing 4000rpm at 100kms per hour. It's a 3 speed automatic, is this normal? Will it hurt the car to drive at 4000 to4500 rpm for extended periods of time?
  If I switch to a 5 speed standard transmission will I see the rpm drop considerably at highway speed (better mileage)?
 Thanks in advance to any answers I get, I've been viewing the website and you guys do some amazing stuff on here and give some great advice. I had know idea you could have so much fun with these vehicles. I've only had mine a couple weeks now and I already want to do so much to it.
Thanks
Jim Dryden 

That 3 speed should hold up really well in the brush. They are a very good trans., You could swap to five speed but I think it is a little more work than you really need to do. I would just run that 3 speed.

As far as the rpms, I would think that would be fine. That isn't near redline and it should hold up fine. My wifes DD runs about there on the freeway just fine.

Thanks Takai
  Good to hear that the automatic is ok for 4x4ing. I'm new to this so I didn't want to invest a lot to find out that it wouldn't really hold up. I'm not looking at going to crazy but I would like to have some fun with it.
regards
Jim

4000 RPM at 70 MPH (about 120Kmh) is more normal,
I think you may have some smaller than normal tires.

Get some 235 75 15s on the stock rims, see what the
RPMs are then, and as far as the Trans, it holds the
Turbo's power just fine

Wild

Hey Wildgoody
  Thanks for the reply, I checked tonight and I have 205/75/15's on it right now. I checked the door sticker and that's what is recommended from the manufacturer. Do you think I'll see a reduction in RPM's like that if I go to 235's?
Thanks
Jim

Ya, and your speedo will read 100% correct too,
on stock rubber mine read 3 MPH fast  65 MPH
was really 62 MPH ground speed