Here's my dilema.  My wife and I have too many cars, and we are going to sell one.  The choice to sell is between 2, our 96 tracker 4x4  and my 89 maxima se 5speed.  Whatever I keep has to be my daily driver, and I commute 150 mile round trip 4 days a week on the I-75.  My concern with driving the tracker long term on this is its only a 3 speed auto, so I'm turning 3800-4000 RPMS just to keep up with traffic.  I understand the engines(16 valve engin) are pretty much bullet proof as long as they are maintained.  The tracker has 127K on it, and is in good shape, stock tires and wheels and manual hubs.  My concern is the tranny.  I would put a tranny cooler in if I kept it, but again i am concerned with the strain of that speed on for a long period of time.

What does everyone think?  I know asking a question like this on a zuki board will probably direct me to keep the tracker, but again, will it hold up?

Thanks, Joe

what shape is the maxima in?? depends if its even worth keeping an 89?

what shape is the maxima in?? depends if its even worth keeping an 89?

maxima has 305K on it, motor rebuilt at 230K, Tranny replaced with new clutch at 250K.  Body is decent shape with small rust here and there (nothing through) but again its a 16 year old car woth 305K on it.  Minor front end damage from an old accident that has been repaired, but shade tree style.  Tokico Struts and h&r springs (lowered about an inch) with suspension techniques front and rear (rear not on right now, bracker broke and not fixed yet) sway bars.

I know I can get more for the tracker selling it, but I'm just concerned about the wear and tear on it.  I dont want to blow out the tranny in a short time.  

    Keep the tracker thats a no brainer   I have a 16valve and a 3speed '95 never had a problem with it it was my wifes daily driver forever then it became my daily driver, then my daily wheeler and still never had a problem great combo and mines got the manual hubs too
 
    Don't be afraid of those RPMs they can take it
 Make It Hert!!!

   Keep the tracker thats a no brainer   I have a 16valve and a 3speed '95 never had a problem with it it was my wifes daily driver forever then it became my daily driver, then my daily wheeler and still never had a problem great combo and mines got the manual hubs too
 
    Don't be afraid of those RPMs they can take it
 Make It Hert!!!

I'm about 99 % sure I'm going to keep it, just that drive worried me.  Course, it'll have to have cruise control, so thats something I'll have to add.

So the trannys are pretty durable then?

3500 to 4000 rpms is normal cruising range for these motors. you could go to a 225 size tire to bring the revs down a bit?

3500 to 4000 rpms is normal cruising range for these motors. you could go to a 225 size tire to bring the revs down a bit?

Hmm..did not know that....thanks for the info.

A tranny cooler wouldnt be overkill would it?

I wouldnt be concerned about the tranny working too hard at those rpms.  The tranny isnt really working all that hard if the truck isnt overloaded with weight.  RPMs dont hurt trannys, work load does.  Why not keep the tracker, sell the maxima, search around for a nice little civic or accord, used, say 8 years old, wait for the right deal (a dime a dozen here in central florida) and youll be AOK!  

By the way, I went from 205s to 235s and at 70mph in my Tracker I only dropped about 200 rpms (I run 3600 rpms at 70 in my 98 4spd auto) Oh, and that is real speed as determined by radar.

Sure, you could go down and
get a Trans Cooler for like $30
put it on and don't worry about
it. I put one on mine because I
was running the stock 4.62 gears
33" swampers and the Turbo Engine,
I'm sure that was more than enough
for the trans, but it has held up fine
since 89' and now with turbo and
275,000 miles on it, it still works as
good as when it was new, minus the
torque convertor lockup.

Your Trans is made by Aisin, mine is
made by GM a TH180 3 speed

Wild