Ok so I took the carpet out the back of my 94 2 door zuk only to find holes and major rust...The body is almost officially scrap! which really sucks because I just redid the waterpump and timing belt. The drivetrain is solid so I guess im gonna have to sell it as a mud/bush truck...anyway I'm now looking to replace my beast with a less rusty one so want some input...
What year did the 16v start and is it better then the 8v?
can my rims fit on a 4 door model?
and can jeffs spacer lift fit on a four door?
which models have powersteering?
is there anything i should stay away from or look at getting and can you switch auto locking hubs to manual locking hubs easily?
thanks in advance

What year did the 16v start and is it better then the 8v?

1995 for the 2 door, 93 for the 4 door.

can my rims fit on a 4 door model?

Yes.  Should fit exactly the same.

Can jeffs spacer lift fit on a four door?

Yes as well.

which models have powersteering?

Can't help you here, I have no idea what trims it was available on.

is there anything i should stay away from or look at getting

You should pull up the carpet and check for rust in the back. 

can you switch auto locking hubs to manual locking hubs easily?

Bolt on exchange.  You can even use Samurai hubs if you stack a couple of gaskets on there.

Hope this helps a bit.

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is the 16 valve better?

i got the 16 valve, all i can say is it's got 200,000miles and the valves tick other than that it runs fine. i think it's 15hp over the 8 valve and the 16valve is MFI i don't think the 8 is.

is the 16 valve better?

i got the 16 valve, all i can say is it's got 200,000miles and the valves tick other than that it runs fine. i think it's 15hp over the 8 valve and the 16valve is MFI i don't think the 8 is.

when was the last time you did a valve adjustment or check? FSM says every 15k.

So I found a couple of newer trackers and vitara's for sale...ones a 99 and the other a 2000...How do these compare to the 94-98's? I know they have a 2L engine is it any good? anything I should look out for on these newer models? I found a 1999 vitara for sale for $2500 or bo... seems like a decent vehicle and theres not many newer convertibles around here...

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-SUVs-trucks-vans-SUV-crossover-1999-Suzuki-Vitara-Cabrio-4WD-W0QQAdIdZ188284870

And do my current rims and tires fit this vehicle? They appear to be the same bolt pattern? thanks again

The 99+ Vitara are larger & heavier and with the 2.0 more powerful.

The engine uses a timing chain rather than a belt and if oil changes have not been done on schedule the chain tensioners can give trouble - start it from cold and listen for timing chain rattle, if it does walk away, the front differential has an air operated free wheeling disconnect clutch that can also be problematic, and a small number of vehicles have had inadequate corrosion protection causing the front cross member to rot prematurely.

I'm not certain on the rims - I drive a '98 2.0 Grand Vitara, which is essentially a four door of what the US calls a '99 Vitara and 16" rims are standard - 15's will not clear the front calipers.

How bad are the holes?  I had some good size holes under the seat of my old 90 that I patched with some creative fiberglass.

Wow thats quite the patch job...I'm starting to think Im just gonna patch it as best I can and keep looking for a 94-98 version as I really dont want to get rid of my tires and rims...

Here was the other side.

If it helps, rims and tires are the same bolt pattern.  So they will swap over. 

Chop the back off, create a bulkhead and back window, with just enough space behind the seats for small storage, seal it all up, and you will have a two-seater.  Then add a flatbed or pickup-type box.  Basically, make it look like a Tracker version of the SJ truck (SK413K  ).  I've always wanted to find one that's all rusted out in the back just to experiment with this!

BARLEY, my lift kit will not fit a newer, 99+ model either. I'd try to fix the old one. I do make models for the new ones though.

Patch the holes with plexiglass, that way you can see where you are going. 

If it helps, rims and tires are the same bolt pattern.  So they will swap over. 

If you're making that statement based on the rims having the same bolt pattern - you just might be wrong.  As I indicated in an earlier post, some of the second generation vehicles use larger front disks (mine is one) and it takes a 16" rim to clear the calipers - the 15"s off of the earlier Vitaras will foul the calipers.

As a matter of fact - if I'm not mistaken a 99 2.0 Tracker has smaller front disks and uses 15" wheels, but a 99 2.0 Vitara has the larger disks and requires the 16"s - this is the reason I'm urging caution - the 15" wheels will fit some, but not all.

If you're making that statement based on the rims having the same bolt pattern - you just might be wrong.  As I indicated in an earlier post, some of the second generation vehicles use larger front disks (mine is one) and it takes a 16" rim to clear the calipers - the 15"s off of the earlier Vitaras will foul the calipers.

As a matter of fact - if I'm not mistaken a 99 2.0 Tracker has smaller front disks and uses 15" wheels, but a 99 2.0 Vitara has the larger disks and requires the 16"s - this is the reason I'm urging caution - the 15" wheels will fit some, but not all.

1999-2002 Vitara's had both 15" and 16" wheel options from the factory, that is what I was basing the 'it probably fits' statement on.  In 2003 16" was made standard across the line.  It is not listed if the 16" option came with a larger brake package.  I could check via the repair guides for those models but the page is off-line for maintenance.

For 1999 and up models the Grand Vitara's are only available with 16" tires as are the XL7's.