I finally got another job and Im going to be upgrading my tracker a bit but I dont know where to start.

Its mainly driven on road but once in a while I like to take it off road. I dont really go on serious trails just like steep hills and dirst trails that lead to nowhere. My tracker is all stock except for not having a muffler and a aftermarket filter.

I dont want to go all crazy with rock climbing, I just want  to start upgrading little by little. Where do I start?

Depends what you want to spend.  I just put some 235/75/15 M/T tires on the stock rims.  They give a little extra clearance because they are taller than stock tires and have great traction off road.  They are a bit noisy on road though.  

I want to start out small maybe around $1000

Well 1000 bucks you can get a lift and decent tires too.....

Its mainly driven on road but once in a while I like to take it off road. I dont really go on serious trails just like steep hills and dirst trails that lead to nowhere. My tracker is all stock except for not having a muffler and a aftermarket filter.

Thats the exact thing I stated when I first joined! Well, I suggest you free up some more horse by installing a new header and exhaust. You'd be amazed at even changing out your 'ignitor', ignition coils and spark plugs for some performance parts can do! A better coil made my Kick improve on some mpg as like the guys on the board said it would by running cleaner and stronger. Go all the way with a performance air intake and get rid of the air box and get ready to notice a big difference. I put in a new alt and wow, the A/C doesn't drag anymore. If you're into the look, go with lift and some new tires, that also is a good start. I drive my Kick on the highway lots, so I went for the engine stuff first. I'm not quite ready for a lift yet! Plus, I do alright on the trails around here anyway! My stock can still perform....just not nearly as spectacular as Heather's rig..... sigh.....one day......















steveo

I noticed on the site that has a header but it says that it isnt emissions safe. Im here in AZ and I dont know if a header would affect the test. Where can I find a performance igniter and ignition coils?

I want to start out small maybe around $1000

For the $1000, I'd suggest sligthly larger tire with more aggressive pattern to still be used on street, yet better off-road than those M+S tires. You'll need to be concern with the carrying weight for sidewall strength.
I'd look into a 2" body lift as this won't be too tall, but yet could add to the look and to the performance (larger tires). You could look into adding Vitara springs for 1-2" lift on the Trackick. You'll need longer traveling shocks and you could look into flipping the front strut mount. I'd add some frame mounted hooks to help with extraction off-road. Get a good 3" 25' strap (no hook ends) as well as a couple of clevis's and leather gloves.
Tires - $400-500
Strap - $50
Clevis - $25
2" body lift - $100
Vitara springs - ~$40 (used)
Hitch frame rear - ~$50 (used)
Frame mount hooks - ~$25

I'd also make sure all maintenance items are in good shape, cooling, engine, alternator, brakes, etc. Then look into performance items such as air intake and exhaust.

This should be a sound foundation for later additions such as lift, gears in axles and t-case, lockers, etc.

noticed on the site that has a header but it says that it isnt emissions safe. Im here in AZ and I dont know if a header would affect the test

You know I had the same concerns with emmissions tests when I installed my headers.  Then I found this nice frindly russian mechanic guy who told me he has a friend who has a friend who has a mechanic shop and will be happy to give me a clean emmissions test for an extra $100.  Well, now thats money well spent.  The mechanic is the one taking the risk (losing his mechanic license certification thingy) so I took the chance.  

I'm sure you can find a friendly mechanic who has a friend who has a friend who can do the same for you.  Just bolt on the headers...you wont be sorry

Dude,  definetly forget about performance.  Your tracker will get around just fine.  For your first mod, get some coil spacers to lift it up and then put some more aggressive tires in a say 235 series on there.  That way your a bit less likely to rub your frame on your occasional off roading.  Plus, you'll stand out a little when your just driving around.  For the tires I recomment Dunlop Radial Mud Rovers.  Their the offical tire of LMS because the work great, are cheap and light, and don't sing too much on the road.  Go with the coil spacers instead of a body lift so it lifts the frame up a bit.  go to http://www.tirerack.com and look up the Mud Rovers.  http://www.rocky-road.com probably have the lift.  Or make your own like Real_Red_Wagon did.  But those are the best initial $1000 you can spend.  And if the coil spacers are homemade, or cheap enough, you'll have plenty of beer money lift, or money for a super turbo muffler.  Have fun and good luck

Oh, check out weaver's "coil spacer lift" post for a link to whitealpine, where you can get coil spacers.  Then thank Heather for the link.  Or still make your own, if you feel you can.

I do a lot of highway driving, as I said before, so I went the engine performance way first. If you are really worried about emissions, go with the Doug Thorely header, as its 'enviro safe' unlike the tri header you can get from say Calmini. I'm here in Canada, so I don't have to worry about needlessly destroying the environment! Now with your new header/exhaust and (maybe) new air intake filter, your little rig can breathe easy and work harder for you off the line and on the highway. When off-road, its harder to notice the difference since you don't go nearly as fast as on-road!Any performance auto parts store can hook you up with some platinum spark plugs, new wire (don't worry its not as bad as it sounds), and ingition coil. Listen, if you are looking into investing in your rig for the long run, these in my mind are well-worth it! Thats just my 2 cents!

steveo

What im worried about is Ive never done any car work before. Are there places that can do this stuff at a resonable price?

What im worried about is Ive never done any car work before. Are there places that can do this stuff at a resonable price?

Shop labor and reasonable price are two phrases that should never be used together. I suggest that if you wanna keep it cheap, find a friend who can do the work, or start learning

Dude, when I started working on my Zuke, I didn't know the difference between a starter and a alternator... DON'T WORRY! Just pick yourself up a Suzuki repair manual from a Walmart (or whatever place you can find them) and make sure its for the year of tracker you have and start reading. If you have a relative/friend that's somewhat knowledgeable at fixing vehicles, ask a lot of questions and ask for help! DO that here too! No one is going to knock you for not knowing what you are doing! Hey, look at me, I've asked a lot of 'minor' questions and no one has said: HEY STEVEO, YOU'RE AN ASS! (well, once I was called an assclown, but that was all straightened out...) ANYWAY, get that repair manual and start broadening your knowlegde base and then start tinkering! Also, the library was a good place for me to brush up on my 'engine talk'. But looking back, I could have found everything on the net in the first place... oh well! GOOD LUCK!

steveo

oh yeah, if you ask for help installing stuff, don't forget to ask for pics for extra help, as many guys on here have digital cams!

I'd start with underbody protection - skid plates under the engine and transmission, will save you having to change the gearbox xmember after every outing. It will also prevent you bending the front chassis crossmembers back when you come unexpectedly across a rock. Then do tyres and a mild lift, a properly set up spring lift will give you lots more travel. A body lift will give you more room for bigger tyres and once you've got the body up fit some rock sliders cos the sills (US?) take a real hammering and you can easily bend them up enough that the doors won't open.