I believe that each vehicle will have a slight advantage over the other in something. But - I'm talking about "overall" what's a better daily driver / weekend warrior.

Okay - remember the idea is that I don't want to do more work, or spend more money than I have to. For tow three big reasons:
1) Cost
2) I live in an appartment. I can "borrow" a garage from time to time, but it's hard. Would rather keep the modding to a minimum. And - mods usually = more tools = more $$$.
3) At least 1/2 the time a mod becomes much harder than anticipated. I'm a big "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" kinda guy.

In other words, I'm trying to AVOID swapping motors or axles in either vehicle.

Mods Either vehicle will get:
Engine goodies (header / larger exhaust)
Lift / Bigger tires
LOTS of underbelly armour
Lockright or Spooled rear, Welded diff in front

From what I can tell it's not easier, or cheaper to lift a Tracker. Most 3"+ lifts in a Samurai are going to cost about $1000 (or more) and require at least a couple days to install. Every time someone has said "No, you can do it cheaper" they're either making their own parts, or not buying parts they SHOULD get (larger shocks, bumpstops, new bushings etc). There are 3"+ lifts for trackicks available for the same price. Since I'll be running full armour + lockers, I won't need more than 3" of lift. If I do - I'll cut fenders to keep my low center of gravity - which is more important to me than lift or flex.

So, I'm looking at it like this - Samurai's and Trackicks can both be had for $1000 - $1500 for clean base vehicles (solid motors, no rust, clean inside and out). Both will require lifts that are around $1000 (quality stuff, no cutting corners). The Trackick already comes with a 1.6L and Power Steering.

I really think I can make a DD Trackick for at least $1000 cheaper (and WAY less effort) than a Sami... since... I won't need to swap power plants (I don't care WHAT kind of gearing I have - a lifted Sami is no good as a DD on the freeway around these hills).

Anyway - I guess what I should be asking is - what kind of rig do you have, how much did it cost you, and how happy are you with it? For those of you with Trackicks (like Quaddawg) have you ever had any problems wheeling it?

Oh - and I wanted to say - I've taken my Sami where lifted full sizes couldn't go. No lift? No problem - we have SUPER short wheelbases. Very hard to high center a Sami... and we're SUPER light, so as Quaddawg said - we can climb hills really really well.

One thing you didn't mention is the openess of the Sammy.  As much as I like my Tracker it doesn't feel like a true convertible because of all the permanent targa bars.  The feeling of being in a Sammy without all the metal is cool, kind of like an old CJ.  That being said I have driven a Sammy and they feel more confined inside because of being smaller.

sounds like you want a sidekick. you won't be disappointed they ride very nice. i like all the mods i've done to mine, and it's not for sale.

i also live in an apartment so bolt on mods was my goal after deciding to go with a ifs lift, instead of sas.

cost wise i'm not telling because it's alot 

I really like Powersteering! I say Sidekicks and Trackers are the way to go. I love the fact that there's tons of them around and that you can just pull into any Import Junkyard and pick up some new parts for your RIG, whatever it is you need! Its also great how you have alot of options and models to choose from, along with being backed up with a great aftermarket world thats somewhat affordable. [ IN THIS DAY AND AGE ANYWAY!!! ]

Suzuki - A Way Of Life

a stock street tired, un lifted, un locked Tracker went almost EVERYWHERE everyone else went... 

They must have been taking pussy trails so you could keep up with them.

sounds like you want a sidekick. you won't be disappointed they ride very nice.

I like the styling and jeep-like "feel" of the Sami. I don't like all the upgrading I'll have to do to get it where I want    There's something to be said for a Samurai's "feel". It's simplicity in design. It's boxy nature makes me feel more confident doing mods to it.

It just seems that Samurai's are getting harder to find - parts are more expensive at junk yards. It's got better aftermarket support for now, but I've watched the tides change on that over the last few years (I've owned a 86 sami before). As much as I love my Samurai, and hate to sell her. I really think the futre is in Trackicks.

I guess I'm just worried 'cause I've wheeled with 2 Sami's now, and been SUPER impressed with them. I've never wheeled a Trackick, so I'm a little afriad of what they can / can't do. I've heard people compleain about the IFS, and I've heard people who swear by them.

Just trying to get all the info I can before making another decision - Thank you all who have posted and shared your experiences!!!

Quote from: Quaddawg on July 02, 2006, 10:31:41 PM

a stock street tired, un lifted, un locked Tracker went almost EVERYWHERE everyone else went... 

They must have been taking pussy trails so you could keep up with them.

I've seen pics of him going through some pretty crazy stuff.

Quote from: Quaddawg on July 02, 2006, 10:31:41 PM

a stock street tired, un lifted, un locked Tracker went almost EVERYWHERE everyone else went... 

They must have been taking pussy trails so you could keep up with them.

You don't know what you are talking about there Vagabond ole pal.

For one, it wasn't ME driving the stock Tracker.

I better shut up now, cause you are pissing me off.

Okay, the "Ultimate" lift kit for Sami seems to be the Trail Tough YJ setup. What are good lifts for the Trackicks? I've heard the 3" from Calmini is way better than the 2" - what other options are out there?

Okay, the "Ultimate" lift kit for Sami seems to be the Trail Tough YJ setup. What are good lifts for the Trackicks? I've heard the 3" from Calmini is way better than the 2" - what other options are out there?

there is the boondox 3 inch lift that uses stock control arms and rear links, old man emu, rocky road rock steady lift or suspension lift only rocky road kit and the BDS 2 inch that I think is discontinued. on top of that there are the coil spacer lifts you can do. I did a spacer lift on my GV but wish I would have done that calmini instead. I think you would wish you did a calmini 3 inch if you got anything else for a kick. the good news is that I want to add a calmini to my spacer lift but I wish I would have done the calmini first

go to calmini.com and compare the 2 inch kit to the 3 inch price and components and you'll see that the 3 inch kit is the only way to go. the only cons are that people complain it's too stiff but others like that and they use stock length struts with mount spacers instead of doing it even better with a longer strut. the biggest problem with first and second gen track/kick/vit/escudo front suspension is that the only longer struts you can get are old man emu. I have some on my rig and it's nice to have a longer strut but they are way over priced for what they are

If you dont love Samurais then go mod a trackick, you can usually find a good one for sale in the projects or out at the mall. Just get rid of the sissy rims and sand the sea spray graphics off the side so we dont laugh at you.


BTW QUADDAWG..... I got sniped on that damn turbo diesel LWB on ebay, was typing in a higher bid with like 20 seconds left to go and it never went through.  That was a beautiful Samurai.  Was going to go 13k on it, lost it for 10600. Got to learn how to use those snipe sites.....lol

If you dont love Samurais then go mod a trackick, you can usually find a good one for sale in the projects or out at the mall. Just get rid of the sissy rims and sand the sea spray graphics off the side so we dont laugh at you.


BTW QUADDAWG..... I got sniped on that damn turbo diesel LWB on ebay, was typing in a higher bid with like 20 seconds left to go and it never went through.  That was a beautiful Samurai.  Was going to go 13k on it, lost it for 10600. Got to learn how to use those snipe sites.....lol

That TD was RARE. Everything that should have been done was done, and it was all done right. Beautiful truck.

If you dont love Samurais then go mod a trackick, you can usually find a good one for sale in the projects or out at the mall. Just get rid of the sissy rims and sand the sea spray graphics off the side so we dont laugh at you.


BTW QUADDAWG..... I got sniped on that damn turbo diesel LWB on ebay, was typing in a higher bid with like 20 seconds left to go and it never went through.  That was a beautiful Samurai.  Was going to go 13k on it, lost it for 10600. Got to learn how to use those snipe sites.....lol

Oh lord, you are KIDDING me!!  I wish I had known you wanted it, cause I am CERTAIN Jeff would have sold it to you for $10K before the auction....

Yep, you had better get a sniping site.... if you can't beat'em join'em



I want a Sammy REAL bad, but I can figure out what role I want it to play.. DD?? nah...  Trail only? 

I think I might make one to be an around town truck, with good trail capabilties.. I just love the little things...  The looks are unbeatable..  Don't get me wrong, I love my Tracker, and it has proven itself an INCREDIBLE trail machine.. but they just aren't as neat as Sammys...

I still may do a sami - maybe just replace the short block to reduce the power-plant swap costs. But - I won't have FI

I'm looking around at different lifts for Trackicks - and - from what I'm reading there isn't a kit out there that has longer A-arms AND a long-travel front strut. Looks like EMU is the only one with a longer stroke, but there's no EMU kit with longer A-arms.  What gives?