I have always wanted a Sammy, since they came out... never could find a decent one, but I was perusing the trader online and found this little 93  1.6 8v 4x4  Tracker....  $600, from a dealer, took it in on trade from the original owner.

125K miles..  engine is smooth.. there is an exhaust leak from somewhere near the manifold, haven't found it yet.. it's not horrible, doesn't backfire or anything.. might leave it.

I bought it as is, with the 4x4 not working.. BUT, the hubs were just a little stiff.. a little playing with them, and they lock in just fine!  the Trans case works fine,  even with mismatched street tires, it does FINE on the trails, I was just amazed, I think I am HOOKED!!

Everything but the radio works, and it is static only...... who cares... it is for the trails..

Soft top is good, back window is broken.. but again who cares.. it stays dry inside..

The interior is immaculate, I couldn't believe it, I don't think it has ever been off road in it's life!   

the catch?  RUST!!  RUST and MORE RUST!.. the right front fender, and the left quarter and rocker panels are ate up bad.. the frame is undercoated and seems solid.


The price, $600.00   From what I have seen, that was a bargain.. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the little thing really doesn't need much to go have some fun.

a small lift, and some tires and a winch... that is about all I plan on... might not even lift it.  I would like to fix the exhaust leak, but something tells me it's the manifold... time will tell..


OK, what do I look out for, what should I get first, should I get lockers or or leave it stock.

How should I break myself into the Zuki world.. after one day, I must say I am hooked!  We are an ATV family, and I have THOUSANDS in my quads...  but this thing promises to be some cheap fun, compared to ATV's.... you can't buy ANYTHING atv-wise for $600.. that's for sure.


Couple of questions...   What is the best tire choice, price vs. fit with no lift. I don't want to lose low end or anything, highway speed isn't too important...  I might not lift it, and I definately don't want to rub.. but I need traction...  what do yall suggest?

Here are some pitiful pics, one from the ad, and the rest at night in my driveway

http://www.forumsigs.com/users/quaddawg605/Tracker/index.cfm?id=11




Thanks guys.. seems like some neat toys you guys have for yourselves here!!!  GREAT SITE!!

Welcome to the wonderful world of Trackers/Sidekicks.

Had my first one a few years ago and sold it too soon.  Now I have another but it needs some TLC that I'm in the middle of now.

My first one was a bare bones '93 that after some work looked like this when I was done:

Not the greatest picture but basically I ripped out all the carpet and plastic crap inside other than the dash and front seats.  The carpet was a wet, moldy, stinky mess.  The rear seat mounts were so rusted out that the seat jiggled around.  I tossed the rear seat and all it's associated paraphenalia.
Next came some 235/75R15 (29ishx9ishR15) mud tires and away it went.  It wheeled pretty good like that.  Fit down trails my friend's Ranger couldn't fit down.  I was contemplating a rear locker and MAYBE a 1-2" lift but never got to it as other events made me stupidly sell it.

With a 2" lift you can fit 235's or 30x9.5R15's.  You can fit both stock but the lift just helps with better clearance and approach/departure angles.  You have to decide if it's worth it for you.  They're great little trucks that are tough and reliable and can go anywhere if you treat them right.

I just picked up another one:

I'm currently putting a new head on it and telling myself I'll keep it stockish as a daily driver.  So far I've repeated what I did to the other one up to the tires.  They're great, but addictive, little things.

Great!  So, I can fit 235/75R15 's  without a lift?  If so, I would like to go ahead and get them, so I can go have some fun... it has three street tires, and one all terrain.. lol..... still goes up some pretty steep hills in the hollow in my back yard... can't wait to get some real tires on there

What is a decent, cheap tire? I was thinking of the Buckshot mudders.. or maybe the Pep Boys tire that looks  a lot like that..   I want to keep this Tracker a low budget affair, with just a coil and/or body lift, some tires, maybe a winch, possibly lockers.. (oh boy, here we go..)  Just want some ideas on good under $100 tires, I want to get them tomorrow too... I know I could get better deals online, but I don't have a lot of patience (or vacation left)



This Tracker will be a sometimes road, but mostly trail truck. It will be trailered to and from the trails, but I would like to run errands in it too, so I don't think I will spool or weld the rear, and I might just leave the front open, or limited slip it... what do you guys recommend? 

I have built some Chevy 4x4's.... but I don't know jack about these Suzukis yet...  I need to get it up on a rack, and take a close look at how it is laid out.  I am loving the fact that it's fuel injected and coil sprung already... and seems to be geared pretty low, stock..  I mean I am turning 3 grand at 55 with 205's on it... what is that? 5.13 or so.. I need to do some more reading..


Thanks for the response, I can use all the  tips I can get...

How easy are the exhaust manifolds to get off and replace with headers? I haven't even had a chance to get a good look at it, in the daytime...  Do the 8v's benefit from opening up the intake? cone filter and tube? or should I stick with the airbox?

Tips? Tricks?  Spares I should go ahead and buy?

Welcome,

The rust looks pretty bad, but if you do much wheeling, the rocker panels are going to take a beating.  Someone on this forum did a good post showing how he replaced his rockers with rock sliders made of square tubing (was that Zig that did that?).  The Tracker is a body on frame construction, and the ultimate solution may be a full body transplant.

I am running 225 Dunlops, and Keith runs 235 HiTech retreads without lift or rub.  

If your exhaust manifold is leaking, you may want to replace it with a header.  There have been posts on that mod.

I had a Sammy that I used for several years as a daily driver, and traded it off because it was beating me up (physically) (rough ride, poor seats).  The Tracker is a much more "civilized" ride, and I have no problem driving it daily to work, and it is still very capable off road. 

If you are in the eastern half of the country, mark the weekend after the Fourth of July on your calander for Zukimelt at Attica, Indiana.  Check Izook.com for details on that.  It's three days of great wheeling.  In past years, nearly 200 Zuks have shown up for wheeling, camping, exchanging ideas and a great time.  You may want to wheel near stock, and come to Indiana this summer to get some ideas as to what other people are doing.

Welcome to the club,

The Zuki bug bit you too. I was hooked the moment i got behind the wheel. They are awesome little rigs.

Like the others said the 235/75r15 is a good start. They will fit without a lift. Come in some good tread patterns too. A body lift might be difficult if your body bolts are real rusty. If you decide you want a lift for minimal expense the spring spacers will get it up a bit. A rear locker is only a couple hundred bucks or so. Cheap fun.

Here is a link to a site I am putting together about my suzuki oddysse. Have fun.

http://www.teamlifeforce.net/suzuki.html

Thanks guys!   Attica... Heck yeah, I am in Cincinnati, and have wanted to go to the Badlands for a long time (I am a Quadder/Atv guy from WAY back)  I will definately mark the calender for Zukifest!!


I went ahead and got 4 new Maxxis Buckshot mudders today... 235's and they fit pretty darned well.. WOW what a difference!! The little guy looks tougher for sure, and the grip is outta site!

The rust is bad, but not underneath, the frame is undercoated and looks fine. The body bolts seem like they would be OK (but I am sure I will have SOME trouble)

Had it on the rack today, and everything looks OK underneath, no bad rust or bent or broken componants.. all in all, other than the bad body cancer... she is solid!


I will pull the heat sheild off the manifold tomorrow, and see if it is cracked, or if there is a hole further down, before the CAT. It's not that bad, I can live with it for a while..

I don't see any reason to put a good body on it, the rust isn't structural (except the windshield pillars...lol)  I am just going to bang it off trees and rocks anyway... lol...

I think I am going to try to take it to Haspin Acres this week... any of you guys ever go wheeling out there?  That is the first place I saw a "train" of trackers and kicks doing there thing, it inspired me to look for one...



How hard is it to put a locker in the rear? What type do you folks recommend? I thought about just welding it up and being done with it.. it won't see a lot of street time.. and I don't mind a little squealing now and then... LOL...


Pictures coming, as soon as she is presentable.. LOL..

Thanks again!!

How hard is it to put a locker in the rear? What type do you folks recommend? I thought about just welding it up and being done with it.. it won't see a lot of street time.. and I don't mind a little squealing now and then... LOL...

In that situation I'd just weld it.  Simpler and cheaper.

   Sounds like a great canidate for a trail rig, even the price!!  Here's a link to the suzuki forum on Off-Road.com.  Seems like there are several guys on that board who ride at Haspin Acres.  Haven't been there yet, myself.  Welcome to the board!!

http://bbs.off-road.com/ubbthreads/postlist.php?Cat=0&Board=offroadsuzuki

Thanks for the link!

Tried the tires out today, and got some road time on it too... I am still surprised at how solid this little thing is.. we did some stuff today, in the rain, that I didn't think I had a chance at going up..  we spun, but we made it up, wish I had pictures of the slick little hill.. but was too busy driving..

Here is a shot today, with the Buckshots on it.. they didn't rub a bit, with three people in it, and some mild wheeling...



and one of the clearance with the 235/75's on it

Welcome aboard.
The Buckshots do a great job, get a locker for the rear and a winch.
Cheap winches do fine as these things aren't very heavy and just a little help usuallly gets you through, (if you want to stay cheap).
I have 4 4X4 ATV's parked in my garage that are just collecting dust now.
Three Zuks that we now ride, yes, these little things are awesome.
Kinda like my old Harley,ride one and if I have to explain it, you'll not understand.

Enjoy!
James

Welcome to our world!

TracKicks are a lot nicer on the highway.  Then again, there is an older couple that come every year to the ZookiMelt (weekend after the Fourth of July) with their stock green Tracker and run moderately harsh trails (creek beds, off-camber stuff steep hills).  They have a BLAST!

Every time I drive my SPOAed Samurai on errands, I resolve never to do that again... until next time.

Maybe I'll slap those Digger spring spacers on the '93 4-door, steal the tires and wheels off the Samurai and wheel the '06 'Melt in it! 

I am loving this little thing...

Here was my last 4x4... fun, yeah, but I was CONSTANTLY breaking stuff.... it was just too heavy, not counting mud, my Tracker will go places the Chevy couldn't dream of fitting...




Now, I have a question, what is the bolt pattern equal to on these?  Is there a 14 inch wheel that will fit?  how about (stay with me here)  a 12" wheel? Even with an adapter?

ITP makes a 30 inch Mud Lite tire that would absolutely ROCK for a Tracker...  would have to run a little more pressure than normal, but it would hold up for a while, they are tough...

The bolt pattern is the standard 5x5.5" that Ford, Dodge, Jeep, IH, AMC, and others have used over the years.

Make sure those ATV tires have a weight rating capable of supporting a 2000-2500lb vehicle.  Trackicks are lightweight but still two-three times the weight of the heaviest ATV.

Thanks, I am still trying to figure out what wheel I could use to try..

the tires I am thinking of will be fine.. they have load ratings of about 600 or so.. and that is conservative...  if it comes together... I will let yall know..

right now, I am still just enjoying where it will go stock...

Personally I think you're better off with the tires you have now.  They're rated for it and will actually take highway travel with it to and from the trail.  Wouldn't do that to those ATV tires myself.