My start on Chevy Tracker 2.0 MT

#1
So all pros and cons were weighted and decision was made to modify my Tracker into mud toy. As of the moment my plans on modifications are definetelly bigger than my budget so I'm posting this thread.
I hope to hear from more experiensed jeepers some guidelines on following:
1. What size of the rim is better for begginer (thinking on mainly mud and hill climbing, so far not rockcrawling)? Things that consern me in this question are: price of tires that can be put onto rims, availability of both rim and tire, will I have better grip with wider tires?
2. I'm thinking on swapping suspension and transmission, maybe even motor from bigger 4x4 truck. Is this at all possible? If yes what are my best "donor" candidates? What I should take into consideration when choosing the donor? Who can do welding, I assume I will need alot of it done? I have some experience on replacing transissions but only broken one to working that fits the car, so will I be able to learn how to swap powertrain. I'm very motivated and easy to learn, have most of the instruments needed in my garage.
3. Maybe some advice on where to start. Maybe I shouldn't start with the tires:confused:.....What can be done relatively fast to my ride to be able to ride it offroad, atleast easy trails. I wont be able to put toward car more than 2K in a year in parts, but can do most of the work at my house. (probably everything exept welding)

This is what I have now:
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As for now I wont to create atleast something like this:
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Thanks for looking. Will be glad to hear any advise, even crazy ideas. Sorry if misspelled something, I'm not native speaker. :mech:
 
#2
It should be fairly easy to convert the vehicle as far as finding the parts. There really shouldn't be much to it other than bolting in the new stuff if you can find a comperable vehicle.

But, IMO...you are beating a dead horse. If you have money to spend why wouldn't you just buy a second offroad only vehicle and start there or sell this tracker and buy a four wheel drive one if your dead set on the tracker? I assure you you will come out better doing one of those options.
 
#3
I was thinking about this option, but I wont be able to sell my for more than 2.5K, and I'm able to add at the moment only about 500 to 1000$, as far as I have saw on craiglist there isn't much of value in the 3.5K range that I can get, plus this is my daily driver, this is why I thought that it will be better slowly but surely convert the one that I have, plus I have caught most of the glitches with this one that I have now, and if I will get a new old car that I will face again a lot of small repairs here and there that will suck out extra money, but if someone know where I can trade my fuel efficient car for some 4x4 rig that requires work but can be driven daily to work and back without major problems I'm open for offers. Thanks for looking. Appreciate you suggestions.
 
#4
I think a late 90s 4x4 Jeep cherokee would fit your needs PERFECTLY!

If you can sell the Tracker then pick up a Cherokee for $2500 you would already be way ahead of the tracker even in modified form.

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/3458455384.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/3453652019.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/3452090207.html

http://greenville.craigslist.org/cto/3446749870.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3384605853.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3426342264.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3348769109.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3400756823.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3344946989.html

http://columbia.craigslist.org/cto/3362554216.html

some of these are above your budget, but some of them are near your mod budget for the tracker, so you could keep the tracker for a daily driver and then buy a 4x4 to use in the mud.
 
#5
Thing is I want manual, not auto. But still thanks for looking it up for me. Tomorrow I will try to take some good pictures of my Tracker and maybe post it on Craiglist.
 
#6
One major factor you have to keep I mind is that you have to maintain drivability since its your dd. You also need to plan projects and upgrades in stages so you can get them done over a weekend and have the truck to drive on Monday.

I didn't see any specs on the tracker. Is this thing even a 4x4? It wouldn't be a big concern if you were looking at a major build and just needed the body and frame, but for the smaller scale build you are looking at you'll be way ahead starting with a 4x4, and preferably one with a solid axle in front. In case you didn't know, the only suspension lift for that truck is ~$1000 from Calmini for a 2.5" lift. Anything more are you are going full custom, probably SAS.
 
#7
One major factor you have to keep I mind is that you have to maintain drivability since its your dd. You also need to plan projects and upgrades in stages so you can get them done over a weekend and have the truck to drive on Monday.

I didn't see any specs on the tracker. Is this thing even a 4x4? It wouldn't be a big concern if you were looking at a major build and just needed the body and frame, but for the smaller scale build you are looking at you'll be way ahead starting with a 4x4, and preferably one with a solid axle in front. In case you didn't know, the only suspension lift for that truck is ~$1000 from Calmini for a 2.5" lift. Anything more are you are going full custom, probably SAS.
I agree, I think starting with something 4x4 would put you well ahead of where you are now with less money spent.
 
#8
Sell it and build an amigo or rodeo sport. Kinda same style as what you have and you can find them pretty easy. I think when done up right they are badass.

You can also pick up an xj for nothing all the time and can be built cheap and easily.
 
#9
Thanks for advices and finally pushing me ahead on switching the ride, already on craiglist trying to sell or trade, today also have two places to go to check two cheerokes. Hope to find something before new year. If anyone knows omf someone selling jeep, or somethings else 4x4 or in market after gas saver let me know. Thanks again everyone for replies. Hope to tlrails soon.
 
#10
OK I found guy in NC that is willing to trade his 96 Cherokee for my Tracker, his is V8, with 196K, he says that mechanically nothing is wrong with the car, it is 4x4 and it works, only issue is the body. Here are some pics of it. My questions are: is it possible to repair this engine at home (have rebuild already Golf TDI 03 and few other simpler projects, no 4x4 though)? What is better for offroading L6 or V8 engine and especially which one have more readily aftermarket parts available? Also how hard it will be to repair the body to make it look decent at least?
20121206_180346.jpg
20121206_180326.jpg

This is my main concern, is it possible to bend this panel back? and then fill it with body filler, or it will be needed to be cut out and welded a new piece in.
20121206_180314.jpg

I have till tomorrow to decide. Please give you though on the car, to what I should also pay special attention.
Thanks.
 
#14
What is the best way to sell my Tracker fast and for max money. I have posted it on Craiglist, is there anything else I can do to make process faster. I heard something about auto auctions around upstate what is it and is it worth while. Thanks. Any suggestions welcome.
 
#18
I have done it. Now I'm the owner of 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee, V8, 4x4, auto, 130K highway miles, everything looks to be working fine, here are some pics.
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Hope to hit some trails this weekend. For beginning something simple, but after checking of all systems and getting new tires will try something moderate. Will appreciate any suggestion on where to go to try it out. Thanks.
As about mods so far no ideas, still under impression of getting new car, after exams will start looking on what is possible with this car, and what I want and can do with it.
 
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