Hi I'm a new guy and am very interested in your vehicles. You can read my whole post including the rambling section but please take a look at my question section because you guys are the experts!

RamblingMy name is Mat and I come from Montreal, Quebec.

Me and my wife recently bought and house so we're a bit tight on "project cash". I do most of my mechanical stuff myself. I'm not an expert but I sure do like learning about it!

I don't do any offroading... yet, but I've dabbled and loved it. Were not planning on doing any serious off-roading but we'd like to be able to be "independant" and out in nature, camping and hiking.

No I don't have a Tracker yet but I want to buy one this spring. Here's the whole story:

Presently, I have a '91 Astro that is a cool project vehicle (planning on a V8 ). Unfortunatly, when I want to work on it, it's pretty tough because I don't have a back-up vehicle to get parts or driving daily. Also, I'm starting to get a bit tired of being ONLY working on vans (it's my second).  

At this point I decided I needed another project vehicle to add variety. So being really influenced by the whole emerging rat rod scene, decided to go with a vehicle that you actually drive. No bling bling for me!

So I played with the idea of a Rat Rod, then a Neon ( ) and finally, (hopefully! could you imagine... a crappy Neon) stumbled upon your forum.

I was really surprised and  impressed by your vehicles! Here's what caught my attention:

1- Rugged look. No girly-girly Trackers here! That's mainly what surprised me. It's in fact the first time I see well customized Trackers.

2- Driven. You guys use your trucks. No show-off bling bling for 20 000$ that you park in the garage.

3- Creativity. It seems most of you guys do your own customization by yourselves and that's great! Thumbs up!

4- Pretty economical. Well, I did a little research and I think I could get myself a nice vehicle for under 1000$ Can. Plus I would get a economical vehicle. (Gas really expensive here!)

Well, my previous van was an AWD and, even though it wasn't a full on off-road vehicle, I had a heck of a lot of fun driving it around. What a great feeling showing to your Dad that you can drive out of that 2 foot hard snow bank that the plow trapped you inside without even shoveling!

Ok, you guys got my attention. Now, to convince my wife. I strategized, I made a plan and finally I made a back-up plan... I was ready! I showed her your website. And... believe it or not. She found it cool. No not as much as me... But she did find the trucks cute! That's a good start. Plus I had the panflet from '92 to show her (looks better new than used and slightly rusted).

So that's it! I'm going to start looking for a Tracker (I'm a Chevy guy so a Sidekick would be against my principles lol) in March or April but I had a few questions for you guys that might help me avoïd big mistakes.

I'll be looking for a '91-'93 2 door, 4x4, convertible truck.

I plan on doing a minor 3" Calmini lift. New wheels, tires, bumpers and have fun making a "Safari" look to the vehicle. A small sound system to enjoy our CD's. Basically a fun little Tracker...

BTW, your website is great. I'm a frequent visitor of AstroSafari.com and am looking forward to participating in your forum. I appreciate giving help and have good questions and follow the basic "Did you do a search?" rules.

Of course until I find a truck and really start working on it, I'll keep a low profile... I really don't want to be annoying. Also, sorry about the long post but I always appreciate proper introductions....  

Questions1- Should I buy it manual or automatic. Does it make a difference in off-roading. Sorry, I'm new to off-roading.

2- If it comes with a removable hard top, will the "frame" for the soft top still be there? I'd like soft top in summer and removable top in winter.

3- Anything I should look for? Remember you're the experts and unfortunatly, I don't know much yet.

I might add a few questions to this topic later on as I do my research. Soon enough you guys will be seeing a new post with pictures of my findings!

Thanks in advance!

Mat

Welcome Mat, glad to have you with us. To answer your questions:

1. I have a '96 automatic so I'm a little biased and think the auto is best but some prefer the manual, it's all good. My brother has a '96 manual and does fine.

2. From what I understand the soft top hardware must be removed to install a fiberglass hardtop. I've always had a soft top.

3. The earlier models can have computer and idle problems. Check the jacking points on the frame and the top of the fuel tank for rust. The 16v has more power but the 8v seems to have more low-end torque. Stay away from the Sport model, they're not as easy to modify.

Questions1- Should I buy it manual or automatic. Does it make a difference in off-roading. Sorry, I'm new to off-roading.

You'll get about a 50-50 weigh in here ... some of it heated. I think it a personal thing. I'm using an automatic, and it has it's ups and downs.

2- If it comes with a removable hard top, will the "frame" for the soft top still be there? I'd like soft top in summer and removable top in winter.

I got one where the softtop was shredded and picked up a used hardtop. (hardtops aren't cheap, and even replacement softtops co$t). I remove the hardtop when it's nice, and replace when parked or cold/rainy. Takes me about 10 minutes to install the top.

3- Anything I should look for? Remember you're the experts and unfortunatly, I don't know much yet.

Take your time in the search (i.e. don't be in too big a hurry). Watch out for rust, don't worry bout dents. Mechanically these things are pretty simple, and when well maintained start/run good and are dependable.

I might add a few questions to this topic later on as I do my research. Soon enough you guys will be seeing a new post with pictures of my findings!

Questions are free, and you'll get answers too. Pics are required!

Good Luck in the hunt.

Hey I'm in Montreal too. Let me know if you need any help finding a vehicle or lifting it cheaply.

Adam

for offroad an auto is the best i run a 5 speed standard. the down side to an auto is durabiltiy. i put a hole in the pan it is sgrewed a manuel it still goes. but an auto will make uo for the lack of gear reduction.

look for RUST RUST and make sure it is an unmoded vehicle that means it probly just had around town wear and tear. lock up the 4 wheel deive and make sure everything engages. let it idlke for a while then run it hard then ket it idle again to make sure it doesn't over heat and keep an eye on oil pressuer.

Make sure it has power steering.

Make sure it has power steering.

I'll second that!

a 91 or newer ,for transfer case reduction ability

without A/C ...

    Watch to make sure the check engine light is working correctly (on when you turn the key on).  I wasn't smart enough to look for that when I bought mine.   The previous owner had removed the bulb cause the light stayed on all the time!    

another good one ... that does it, I'm going to build a FAQ ...

welcome aboard MatTracker
Looks like you got your answers pretty quick
I have a 95 Tracker 5spd but sometime wished I had an Auto, So its personnel preferance of what you like.
No A/C just makes it easier to work on the engine and keeps what Hp you got handy
Mid 90s are good years for they will have 16valves and P/S. (which you would think would be a stock option :-/)
And as for Girlie rides.
See Heathers ride.
Shes a girl and has the baddest 4dr out there

Heathers Ride.
See what I mean?

Welcome to Suzukis, Mat! Not much from me. Just that I prefer 5 speed for simplicity and more fun to drive. And I 2nd HotRod's judgement on Heather's girly ride!

I want a girlie ride

Ok, this time, it'll be short and sweet. This is what I'll be looking for thanks to your suggestions and my tastes:

- '91-'93 (for transfer case reduction ability but not too expensive) Probably not available in sports model.

- Auto, nice to have or else Standard since it's  only going to be light off-road.

- No A/C

- With Power steering

- Check for rust mainly at the jack points and top of fuel tank (Where is that? THE tank, or the metal over it which would be under the back seats?) and also... everywhere.

- Make sure parts necessary for soft top are provided. (thing is if I leave on a weekend and leave the hardtop at home, I might encounter surprises...)

- Make sure SES light turns on... and hopefully, off after a while.

AdamD

Hey I'm in Montreal too. Let me know if you need any help finding a vehicle

I might take you up on that... When I'm ready I'll PM you!

I think that's it... And for the record (before you guys start sending me SPAM mail) I never said they were girley rides. I said I THOUGHT they were until I took a look at this site...

Thanks a lot guys

Well Heather has a girly ride, but when she wants a MANLY ride, up Lion's Back, she does it in the Gnewt!



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