Bring me up to speed on the Tracker
- Thread starter rcjordan
- Start date
I have had 3 Trackers and must say they are good rugged vehicles, seem to run forever. Not very comfortable for long trips or freeway driving but
great for around town.
--
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
great for around town.
--
George Butts
Las Vegas Nevada
73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven
71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
Yes, it'd be for around town use only.
Was there a sweet spot in the model years --years where they seemed to be better-built? Or, conversely, model years that were problem prone?
--
77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Was there a sweet spot in the model years --years where they seemed to be better-built? Or, conversely, model years that were problem prone?
--
77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
We have an '03 four door, 4WD, automatic Tracker as a towd, and my wife's daily driver. Fortunately, she is not too fussy about what she drives. Not
to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four wheels great, but
doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven years we have
owned it.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four wheels great, but
doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven years we have
owned it.
--
Carl Stouffer
'75 ex Palm Beach
Tucson, AZ.
Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles,
Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
RC, If serious on Tracker, you might consider the tin top. Look inside the rear wheel openings at the shock towers, this is a bad rust spot. Floor
boards are also prone to rust out. Tracker would be a great around town car but not much fun on Interstates. It will do the speed easily, but the
short wheelbase will beat you up.
Talk to Eric T. at the eclipse party, he has owned three. He got his current one from me. He said that it was the most rust free one he had seen,
including the two previous ones that he owned.
See you in Dillard.
Tom
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
boards are also prone to rust out. Tracker would be a great around town car but not much fun on Interstates. It will do the speed easily, but the
short wheelbase will beat you up.
Talk to Eric T. at the eclipse party, he has owned three. He got his current one from me. He said that it was the most rust free one he had seen,
including the two previous ones that he owned.
See you in Dillard.
Tom
--
1975 GMC Avion
KA4CSG
For your disabled brother, get the 1996 and newer Trackers. 96' and newer had crash air bags. Just a thought.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
--
Larry
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Yeah, around town highway use only. Mostly going to do his shopping and meals.
> 1996 and newer
10-4
>tin top
They're pretty scarce but I was thinking of holding out for one (based on some of your earlier searches for a hardtop). Good to know about the rust.
Most ads show the ragtop in bad shape or missing. Floorboards are one thing, but shock towers...
--
77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
> 1996 and newer
10-4
>tin top
They're pretty scarce but I was thinking of holding out for one (based on some of your earlier searches for a hardtop). Good to know about the rust.
Most ads show the ragtop in bad shape or missing. Floorboards are one thing, but shock towers...
--
77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
RC,
Based on my experience and the prices I've seen lately, I'd suggest looking
a early Honda CRV's -- 1999-2000-ish. While our '99 CRV AWD shows only
130K miles, it's got at least another 85K towed behind the GMC. I'd take
off for CA in it tomorrow if necessary. It would be a somewhat noisy trip
-- they're not very quiet inside -- but it would undoubtedly be trouble
free and yield 25+ mpg. When I've considered upgrading to a later model,
I've seen a lot of similar models at around $3k.
We use ours as a daily driver and I can think of only one "weak spot' -- I
had the front struts replaced for squeaking at around 85K & one's squeaking
again now. Do remember, however, that replacement of the timing belt is
recommended at 60K.
Ken H.
> I manage my disabled brother's affairs. He needs a 2wd, automatic tran,
> cold a/c, modern-ish vehicle. His budget is tight,
Based on my experience and the prices I've seen lately, I'd suggest looking
a early Honda CRV's -- 1999-2000-ish. While our '99 CRV AWD shows only
130K miles, it's got at least another 85K towed behind the GMC. I'd take
off for CA in it tomorrow if necessary. It would be a somewhat noisy trip
-- they're not very quiet inside -- but it would undoubtedly be trouble
free and yield 25+ mpg. When I've considered upgrading to a later model,
I've seen a lot of similar models at around $3k.
We use ours as a daily driver and I can think of only one "weak spot' -- I
had the front struts replaced for squeaking at around 85K & one's squeaking
again now. Do remember, however, that replacement of the timing belt is
recommended at 60K.
Ken H.
> I manage my disabled brother's affairs. He needs a 2wd, automatic tran,
> cold a/c, modern-ish vehicle. His budget is tight,
Just remember, the Tracker is a true off-road vehicle, and it rides a bit
rough. We had one for several years, and that was my only gripe.
Replaced it with a 2004 CR-V (both with auto tranny) no complaints except
the flat towing procedure is a bit more involved. Much better ride.
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
RonC
On Sun, 30 Jul 2017 15:54:26 -0600 Carl Stouffer
writes:
> We have an '03 four door, 4WD, automatic Tracker as a towd, and my
> wife's daily driver. Fortunately, she is not too fussy about what
> she drives. Not
> to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and
> doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four
> wheels great, but
> doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has
> 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven
> years we have
> owned it.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final
> drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear
> American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
rough. We had one for several years, and that was my only gripe.
Replaced it with a 2004 CR-V (both with auto tranny) no complaints except
the flat towing procedure is a bit more involved. Much better ride.
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
RonC
On Sun, 30 Jul 2017 15:54:26 -0600 Carl Stouffer
writes:
> We have an '03 four door, 4WD, automatic Tracker as a towd, and my
> wife's daily driver. Fortunately, she is not too fussy about what
> she drives. Not
> to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and
> doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four
> wheels great, but
> doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has
> 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven
> years we have
> owned it.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final
> drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear
> American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>
Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II
I believe you can't flat tow the 2wd automatic trackers without expensive modifications.
The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.
Karen
1975 26'
The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.
Karen
1975 26'
We had a 1991 Tracker manual trans. Left us stranded in Arches National Park when the computer went out and then a series of blown head gaskets. Finally dumped it.
>
> I believe you can't flat tow the 2wd automatic trackers without expensive modifications.
> The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
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> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Gary Worobec
garytwmw
(o) 951-763-0518
(cell) 773-230-6226
>
> I believe you can't flat tow the 2wd automatic trackers without expensive modifications.
> The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
Gary Worobec
garytwmw
(o) 951-763-0518
(cell) 773-230-6226
RC, if he's around town, mileage isn't going to matter. Look closely at four door sedans from Ford, GM, Chrysler. They have zero panache and thus
low resale relative to condition. The Toyota run forever, but have a bit higher resale.
--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
low resale relative to condition. The Toyota run forever, but have a bit higher resale.
--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
Hmm. I was thinking the 99-2001 CRV had a timing belt replacement of 105k miles or 7 years? I would do it at 90k.
I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.
Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower
bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not
have that ln the design.
My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
Arr
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.
Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower
bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not
have that ln the design.
My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
Arr
--
Jon Roche
75 palm beach
St. Cloud, MN
http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
I'll also back the 99-2000 Honda CR-V as a good choice.
My wife had one that we put 260,000 miles on. It took only routine maintenance until last summer when I went through the suspension and brakes, replacing a box full of parts.
My main reason for recommending the car is the safety it provided my wife. She basically walked away from a head-on collision at 50mph last December. She did suffer a concussion and minor chest injuries, but nothing broken or serious.
The nose of the CR-V absorbed the impact and was severely flattened, but the shell retained its form and all doors still opened and remained aligned. No broken glass either. Totally amazed at how it protected my wife. The 2016 Kia that hit the Honda didn't fair as well, requiring mechanical jaws to open the drivers door.
For a disabled person, I personally would put accident survival as a high concern when shopping for a vehicle.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
>
> Hmm. I was thinking the 99-2001 CRV had a timing belt replacement of 105k miles or 7 years? I would do it at 90k.
>
>
> I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.
>
> Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower
> bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not
> have that ln the design.
>
> My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
> Arr
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
My wife had one that we put 260,000 miles on. It took only routine maintenance until last summer when I went through the suspension and brakes, replacing a box full of parts.
My main reason for recommending the car is the safety it provided my wife. She basically walked away from a head-on collision at 50mph last December. She did suffer a concussion and minor chest injuries, but nothing broken or serious.
The nose of the CR-V absorbed the impact and was severely flattened, but the shell retained its form and all doors still opened and remained aligned. No broken glass either. Totally amazed at how it protected my wife. The 2016 Kia that hit the Honda didn't fair as well, requiring mechanical jaws to open the drivers door.
For a disabled person, I personally would put accident survival as a high concern when shopping for a vehicle.
Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'
>
> Hmm. I was thinking the 99-2001 CRV had a timing belt replacement of 105k miles or 7 years? I would do it at 90k.
>
>
> I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.
>
> Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower
> bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not
> have that ln the design.
>
> My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
> Arr
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
If you don't intend to leave the pavement (off road / beaches), then the Tracker may not be the best option. If you want off road capabilities little
else would compare for the price. I have have the 4x4 Automatic and love it. If you go with a 4x4 you need to replace the auto locking front hub's
with manual ones to prevent accidental engagement of the front drive line. This is a simple and low cost modification. Yes, you can flat tow the 4x4
Automatic. Hope this helps.
--
David del Rio - 75 Avion - Raymond, CA
else would compare for the price. I have have the 4x4 Automatic and love it. If you go with a 4x4 you need to replace the auto locking front hub's
with manual ones to prevent accidental engagement of the front drive line. This is a simple and low cost modification. Yes, you can flat tow the 4x4
Automatic. Hope this helps.
--
David del Rio - 75 Avion - Raymond, CA
In re the older CRV, nice ride, cousin had one which ran flawlessly for 200K plus mles. However, a minor smack in the rear at a light bent the
unibody such that they had to write it off as unfixable. Also, Honda is inordinately proud of their parts though ebay browsing can cut the pprice
substantially.
--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
unibody such that they had to write it off as unfixable. Also, Honda is inordinately proud of their parts though ebay browsing can cut the pprice
substantially.
--johnny
--
76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons.
Braselton, Ga.
"I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell" - ol Andy, paraphrased
