Tracker Toad

D

donald w. ogden

New member
Nov 15, 1999
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I'm trying to get my mind set on what I'm looking for in a TOAD.

I need one with automatic transmission that can be flat-towed.
I think I want a Geo Tracker (Suzuki Sidekick). Do I need one with
four-wheel-drive ? I thought somebody said that you need the FWD so you can
unlock the hubs for towing. Then somebdy else said don't get the electric hubs
because they can fail (lock-up) when least expected. They said to get the
manual hubs. Then, somebody else said that they don't offer the manual hubs any
more. What's the story here ??? What model years can I use ? Any body have
the whole story ? HELP !!!

Don Ogden
'77 Royale
dagogden
 
Don,
You need 4 wheel drive so that it has a transfer case that can be put in
neutral so that the transmission (manual or automatic) won't be turned
during towing. You need manual hubs because the automatic ones tend to
engage inadvertently while towing. They can be purchased from JC Whitney
for less than $100. Mine is a '95 with FWD, Automatic transmission and J.C.
Whitney hubs. Just got back from a 3800 mile trip towing it with no
problems. If you want to buy a 2000 model, look in the owners manual for
the towing procedure. I've not heard of any changes to the towing
restrictions since the tracker was first marketed.
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Donald W. Ogden
Sent: Saturday, July 15, 2000 9:35 PM
To: GMC NET
Subject: GMC: Tracker Toad

I'm trying to get my mind set on what I'm looking for in a TOAD.

I need one with automatic transmission that can be flat-towed.
I think I want a Geo Tracker (Suzuki Sidekick). Do I need one with
four-wheel-drive ? I thought somebody said that you need the FWD so you can
unlock the hubs for towing. Then somebdy else said don't get the electric
hubs
because they can fail (lock-up) when least expected. They said to get the
manual hubs. Then, somebody else said that they don't offer the manual hubs
any
more. What's the story here ??? What model years can I use ? Any body
have
the whole story ? HELP !!!

Don Ogden
'77 Royale
dagogden
 
Stick shift or four wheel drive are musts from what I understand. I got a 4wd
automatic and the manual says I put transfer case in neutral, tranny in neutral and
go. Just have to stop every 200 miles and run in drive for 60 seconds.

Ron

> I'm trying to get my mind set on what I'm looking for in a TOAD.
>
> I need one with automatic transmission that can be flat-towed.
> I think I want a Geo Tracker (Suzuki Sidekick). Do I need one with
> four-wheel-drive ? I thought somebody said that you need the FWD so you can
> unlock the hubs for towing. Then somebdy else said don't get the electric hubs
> because they can fail (lock-up) when least expected. They said to get the
> manual hubs. Then, somebody else said that they don't offer the manual hubs any
> more. What's the story here ??? What model years can I use ? Any body have
> the whole story ? HELP !!!
>
> Don Ogden
> '77 Royale
> dagogden
 
Ron,
My '95 Tracker owners manual says transfer case in neutral, transmission in
Park(automatic transmission) or second gear(manual transmission). What year
is your Tracker?
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Ron Kazi
Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:31 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Tracker Toad

Stick shift or four wheel drive are musts from what I understand. I got a
4wd
automatic and the manual says I put transfer case in neutral, tranny in
neutral and
go. Just have to stop every 200 miles and run in drive for 60 seconds.

Ron
 
Bob, Arch et al:

Correct you are! From 2000 Tracker manual:

Do not tow two wheel drive model!

1) Set parking brake
2) Shift Automatic to PARK or manual to 2nd.
3) Turn ingnition to ON, move transfer case to Neutral and make sure 4wd light
on dash is OFF
4) Turn ingnition to ACC to unlock steering wheel
5) Release parking brake
6) Drive to Colorado, stopping every 200 miles. Start engine. Leave transfer
case in neutral. Put automatic transmission into Drive or leave manual in
second with clutch engaged. Run engine at medium speed fro one minute to
circulate oil in transfer case. Turn ignition to ACC. Drive on 200 more miles
and repeat.

They tell you to keep under 50 mph. Going over a pass in Colorado, this may not
be hard.

Ron and Julie

Thanks for the correction.

RON

> Ron,
> My '95 Tracker owners manual says transfer case in neutral, transmission in
> Park(automatic transmission) or second gear(manual transmission). What year
> is your Tracker?
> Bob McLaughlin
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: owner-gmcmotorhome
> [mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Ron Kazi
> Sent: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:31 AM
> To: gmcmotorhome
> Subject: Re: GMC: Tracker Toad
>
> Stick shift or four wheel drive are musts from what I understand. I got a
> 4wd
> automatic and the manual says I put transfer case in neutral, tranny in
> neutral and
> go. Just have to stop every 200 miles and run in drive for 60 seconds.
>
> Ron
 
Franz,
That should tow ok with the transfer case in neutral, the transmission in
second gear and steering wheel unlocked. Manual hubs will have a bar on the
hub with an arrow pointing to 4x2 or 4x4. You must go to each front wheel
and manually select which you want. If there is no setting, they are
automatic and you can't tow with them, however, manual hubs can be gotten
from JC Whitney for less than $100. The price sounds ok if it's real good
mechanically. You might want to check on the cost to set it up for towing.
It can be pretty widely variable depending on car base plates, tow bars, RV
hitch, brakes, wiring and whether you can fabricate and install it all
yourself. Get 10% off if you can. Actually the internet can give you fair
prices. I think it's on cars.com. Good luck.
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Fws33
Sent: Thursday, July 27, 2000 8:02 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Tracker Toad

I am looking at a 91 Geo Tracker, soft top only, 75,000 miles with manual
tranny and 4WD. Does this tow 4 wheels down OK? Can't tell if manual hubs,
it has a shift lever inside for 4 wd? Body and top in good shape, paint
good
and $2700. Appreciate any comments or things to check or ask about. Franz
Staugler fws33
 
The Tracker is very popular with the GMC'er because it is very light. I
tow a 91 tracker which is the same as you are looking at. 91 only came
with manual hubs, just look and see if the hubs have it marked for lock
and unlock. I have towed almost 10k mile in the last 2 years and hardly
know its there. With a 4 wheel the best way to check how good the front
drive assy is to put it in 4wd and back it in a tight circle slowly and
see how the front wheels track, should be smooth. If it should not jerk!

>
> I am looking at a 91 Geo Tracker, soft top only, 75,000 miles with manual
> tranny and 4WD. Does this tow 4 wheels down OK? Can't tell if manual hubs,
> it has a shift lever inside for 4 wd? Body and top in good shape, paint good
> and $2700. Appreciate any comments or things to check or ask about. Franz
> Staugler fws33

- --
J.R. Wright
GMC GreatLakers
77 Eleganza II
Michigan
 
Franz,
The Saturn is one of the best regarded toads. I was under the impression
that all models of them could be towed 4 wheels down. Is there an advantage
to using a tow dolly?
Bob McLaughlin

- -----Original Message-----
From: owner-gmcmotorhome
[mailto:owner-gmcmotorhome]On Behalf Of Fws33
Sent: Saturday, July 29, 2000 9:12 PM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: GMC: Tracker Toad

Thanks to all who responded to my questions about a Tracker Toad. Nothing
wrong with the info, I just decided NOT to get a Tracker for now. Will stay
with Saturn on a Tow Dolly.

Franz Staugler fws33
 
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