I have always been dissappointed with the heater in my 99 and I hate when I have to stop and thaw the windshield because it is icing up too much to see. It warms up fast to normal tempature and it blows hot air but it doesn't move nearly enough of it, same goes for a/c cold air but not much of it. Just wondering if it was a normal thing and if anyone had found a way to improve it.
thanks

You may need to change your cabin filter it is behind your glove box.
Open your glove box, remove every thing out of it, pull in on the sides and it will fold down. You will see the door for the filter there are 2 of them the second one is below the one behind the door.

i had replaced my filters when i bought my 2002 xl-7, and found it still didnt work well enough, so i took them out completely, and found the system works WAY better (hot and cold)

same when i had my 99GV

-Lance

This is one area where I don't think they improved on much when they built the 2d generation trucks.  I've honestly been involved in tactical planning meetings with about 30 soldiers (inside frame tents in the winter) that generated more BTU heat than these trucks appear capable of blowing out.

I tinted my windows this past summer which helps the A/C cool considerably better and remove the humidity long as I keep the windows rolled up tight (I usually crack the window when I'm puffing my pipe). 

As for the heat, I turn my defrost on as soon as I get in the truck and let it gradually heat up so I don't experience any window cracking (from switching it to defrost AFTER it has heated up.. which happened to me once).  Under certain atmospheric conditions (like right around 30F with high humidity while sleeting or raining) I just leave the defroster on because of the moisture build-up (fog on window) in the cab.  It knocks the fog off the window and keeps the ice from forming on my wipers.  None of my 2nd Generation Trackers have come to me with a cabin filter installed.  I honestly thought these filters were an "additional purchase item".

The "heat to the feet" setting is really marginal... but again if the windows are rolled up, the cabin is comfortable enough.  I think the little quirks of these trucks just make the driving experience of owning them that more enjoyable.  They have character, which is lacking in most newer vehicles.   Besides that point, the "rough edges" they have keep them somewhat primitive and simple which helps keep me from turning into a soft couch potato that craves creature comforts all the time.  If I want luxury... I'll buy an Escalade (but I don't!).

Mine heat up well in winter, but the eat to the feet dosen't look to work. In summer the A/C was never enough cold.

Mine heat up well in winter, but the eat to the feet dosen't look to work. In summer the A/C was never enough cold.

Yes....there's not much you can do.  I believe the A/C system on the earliest Grand Vitaras was similar in size to the Sidekick A/C system (maybe even the same).  They made it bigger/more efficient on the newer models (around 2001 maybe?).  I have a 1999 also, and it has a weak A/C and cannot blow much air at your feet.  Oh well......  2003-2005 were the best years for the GV all-around.  They made many improvements in the 2003 - 2005 range.  I would love to have one! 

P.S. - Removing the cabin air filter and tinting the windows are my thoughts as well.  Good luck!

Removing cabin filters made mine better

I taped the floor tubes under the seats up. THey shot air into the rear of the truck. That brought more heat to the dash and front floor heat. I also taped up the main vents about the controls. That helped. you can pull the little vent pieces out and put tape or cardboard on the inside so no one sees it.

I do not have much trouble with it heating in the winter. In the summer it will not cool enough with the blower turned all the way up which also makes a lot of noise. I also live in Texas that might have something to do with it.