Hi there everyone,

So I got bit by the bug too hard and jumped on a grenade in the process. I bought my first Geo Tracker 2 days ago from an impound lot for $650. It's an 89 LSI and everything but the radio works. There is a muffler leak so I took it to my local muffler shop today to have it repaired. Once it was on the lift we seen that the body mounts were rusted so bad that they are snapping in two, and the floorboards are disappearing right under me. The frame was repaired with angle iron bolted onto it, and the metal by the cups for the rear springs is basically not there. So I didn't get the muffler fixed... drove it home and parked it.

Is this thing salvageable or what? I'm sure I can regain my money by parting it out but I need your opinions. Cut it loose or invest? This cannot just be a dedicated trail rig either, It has to be my DD. I'm so bummed right now, even though I know it was my own stupid fault.

No opinions? Don't be shy... I can take it.

Alrite.... since you seem to have broad shoulders here goes....  

Frame repairs may make you liable for any accident that the vehicle is involved in. Not only for you and your family but also if you happen to sell the vehicle and it becomes involved in an accident.

If you are licensed to make such repairs that is fine but if you are not then you might think heavily about this.

You may also have a hard time selling the vehicle as a whole because you now have to disclose the frame is in said condition. Likewise you can return to the party whom you purchased the vehicle and ask the seller to refund your money in return of the vehicle.

A vehicle sold AS IS still needs to be in safe operational manner as determined by your particular state laws. If not it must be sold and disclosed as not intended to be driven on public throughfares.

Whew..... all that being said if you want to keep it or sell it as a off road only vehicle you got a good deal.
If you want to part it out I still think you have a good deal.
If you want to drive it around town you might be biting off more than you can chew...

look for a clean, rust free rig that need work,use parts from yours and make one good one!

Thanks guys, I was starting to feel all alone in this big old world.

I like the idea of using it as a parts car, I'm sure my wife won't though.

Since I have all the 4x4 stuff... would a 4x2 make a good "donor"?

yep a 2x4 would work fine. these rigs are pretty easy to work on.

1st; being a rust bucket, you must be in one of the "Fender Flopper States" that is hauling the Great Salt Lake away by the train loads.
2nd; PUT A POSITIVE SPIN on this to the wife; you found the BEST DEAL EVER on a donor vehicle (even though you don't have the project vehicle yet!)
3rd; I can not believe that a $650.00 was you budget on a Daily Driver, It mite have taken a chunk out of you plan but not all unless your wife is driving a 2011 Caddy and you have to find you car on chump change.
4th; The season for local swap meets is shortly approaching. I found an excellent donor/good use Sammy at the Jefferson Wisc. swap meet (Then sold the "Tub" and recouped my out lay) when I built my 87 Sammy.

CAPT

Capt., you are very observant!

I do live in a "floppy fender state". Michigan to be exact. $650 was well under my budget, but like I said I acted prematurely.

I decided to go the safe route and find a different tracker. One with a good frame this time, to accept any of my available parts if need be. As far as swapping my parts into a 4x2 or otherwise, I just need to stay within the 89' to 95' two door range, right? (the one I gave now is a 89' 2 door Lsi)

Feel free to let me know if you know of anyone here in Michigan that would have donors like I need.

Thanks for all the help, people. This project doesn't seem so out of reach anymore.

Where in Michigan the "floppy fender state" do you live ?? Just wondering if your anywhere close to where I'm at...

Are ya a Yooper?

Or a Troll from da mitten Der Hey?

CAPT

I'm a troll! I live in Mt. Morris, just north of Flint.

I'm so ready to start modding my vehicle, the wait is killing me. There is a guy in Saginaw buying up all the trackers on craigslist though. He is really cramping my style. I've sent him an email trying to get his leftovers but he is being anti-social. I was kinda hoping he is a bender of this site so we could collaborate.

Youse guyz are so funny wit yer "Mitten Talk".... I have a buddy who lives in Dorr and he expained yer lingo to me last summer when I wuz up fer a lil visit.

That's some funny stuff y'all got goin on there...... 

ddunckel , I'm a "troll" as well, just further north...

|removethispart|@karl214

How much further north?

|removethispart|@tux

We have some good times her in the mitten. Those fudgies up north can really get down though, I use to spend my summers up there with my cousins when I was younger. Ahhh, the good old days.

Well All Ya Hozers,

Maybe we all shall meet after " Da Spring Break-up" & "black flies" to do some trails in Yooper Land, der hey!!
I know some by   Strongs, Mich.;   Saxon Harbor;     Iron County in Wisconsin (Hurley- Ironwood),    Iron Mountain, Mich.;
School Craft County, Mich. etc.

Good Trails, "Loon Shit" mud holes, dress for the weather, we have had frosts as late as July 4th!!!!!!

Dat displaced Yooper,

CAPT