Foretravel Owners' Forum For owners and Fans of Foretravel Motorcoaches October 05, 2025 ...

4 cylinder Trackers

July 31, 2013, 03:15:45 pm

I recalled reading in a previous post, that some of you FT owners tow a Geo or Chevy Tracker.  I am considering buying a late 90's Tracker, but wonder whether the 4 cylinder has enough power to get one, in 4 wheel drive, up moderately steep grades and other places where the 4 wheel drive is necessary.  Is the 4 cylinder a major liability in your opinion?

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #1 – July 31, 2013, 04:23:58 pm

none whatsoever. My Tracker(Chevy) is the 2 ltr and a 2001 and I have driven using 4 WD many times esp in Mexico on rocky stream beds up a 4000ft mtn. I had the  Sidekick before this and that was good too. Just a bit hard on suspension for my back. They are so easy to tow and good to drive. Not the most comfortable with 4 people in but a great toed. No way I would spend tons of money on the Jeeps etc that I see behind rigs
John H.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #2 – July 31, 2013, 04:36:57 pm

Don,
Trackers made a 1.6 liter and a 2.0 liter engine, the differential gear ratio for the 2.0 manual transmission is 4.62 and 5.? for automatics.
The majority of engines built were 2.0. I believe all of them were built by Suzuki.
I wouldn't say they are real baja machines,but they are dependable.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #3 – July 31, 2013, 04:57:32 pm

Trackers are great, shut down my 4905 one time in a one lane entrance to a park and it would not restart, blocking
all the traffic. Before the air pressure fell and locked up my brakes, I jumped in the tracker, still hooked up, put in 4 wheel low and, with my terrified wife at the wheel of the bus, moved it down the road into a campsite. Tracker was spinning all 4 wheels and going sideways sometimes, but it saved the day. It did not save the $800 for a new starter.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #4 – July 31, 2013, 07:29:39 pm

I have owned many jeeps over the years. last year I stumbled onto a 94 tracker
at a garage sale in Yuma.  I don't know why I bought it, but I did.  I had always
thought they were Japanese wannabe jeeps.  after a few days of ownership I am
now a tracker guy. it is the toughest little car you can imagine. I towed it up to
quartszite last year for the lemon rally, and what an impressive little off road vehicle
it is.  all the quad guys and side by side guys come back covered in dirt and dust and
even their dogs are dirty.  the tracker guys and my little dog " tulip " cruised the
canyons and deserts all day listening to tunes in air conditioned comfort and arrived
back clean and cool.  I am taking it to mexico in October for a paint job. good luck.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #5 – July 31, 2013, 07:59:17 pm

I had a neighbor in Idaho with an Isuzu P'up 4x4. That thing would go anywhere.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #6 – July 31, 2013, 09:39:33 pm

Don,

I have taken my stock 95 sidekick 4 cyl on forestry roads with no problems.  I use my Zuki 90% highway and 10% offroad.  I haven't done any extreme hill climbing but I know it can handle almost any terrain you can throw at it.  I put larger all terrain tires on it and plan on changing to an Old Man Emu suspension to give it a smoother ride and a 2.5" lift.  Tracker Lift: Suzuki Sidekick, Vitara, XL7 & Tracker Lift Kits      Heres a video of some Tracker fun.  Enjoy! (best viewed with wide screen) www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq7HDPPbMH4

Jerry a.k.a. Murph

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #7 – July 31, 2013, 10:30:21 pm

Don't want to hijack Don's thread, but since all the Tracker fans are hanging out here, thought I'd ask...  Besides, I think you have answered his question.

I am going this Sunday to look at a "For Sale" Tracker.  I know nothing about these little Ute's, other than what I've read here and at online forums.  This one is a 2002 Chevy Tracker LT, 4-door, V6, 4WD, Auto.  It is supposedly all rigged out for TOADing - I saw it parked in the Walmart parking lot the other day, and it had the towing hardware mounted on the front.  Called the owner - he says it is a RoadMaster Falcon base plate setup - he is keeping the towbar that goes with his RV.  He says it also has a "M & G Engineering tow brake system" installed, plus wiring for the rear lights.  He is the original owner.  It has always been garaged (except when being pulled), has 4 brand new Michelins (the original spare has never been down), and it looks super clean and straight to me.  It is painted a flawless white with gray cloth interior.  I'm looking forward to taking it for a test drive!

My question to the resident experts: anything particular I need to watch out for, like "trouble areas" or "weak points"?  Any items particularly likely to fail on these vehicles?  He is asking $6000 (O.B.O.), which doesn't seem out of line to me.  He says it is loaded out with every option that was available.  I forgot to ask how many miles on it (does the odometer run up miles when it is being flat towed?)  If it drives as good as it looks, I might offer him $5000 cash, and see what happens.

Appreciate any and all advice or comments.  Thanx.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #8 – July 31, 2013, 10:41:32 pm

That is the sister to the Grand Vitara.  I have owned a stretched version of that 02 with the 3rd row seat since new called the XL7.  Never had a problem. I'm sure it is the same engine.  The worst thing I can say about it is the seats aren't the most comfortable I've ever sat in and it wouldn't be great for cross country comfort but for a toad it would be great.  If only mine was a 4x4 and could be towed four down.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #9 – July 31, 2013, 11:53:59 pm

Don, we had a '97 Geo Tracker softop with the 1.6 liter four cylinder with the five speed manual shift. Coming out of San Antonio during rush hour we stayed up with the northbound traffic which, incidentally, was doing about 90 MPH!! No problem whatsoever. It felt like that little engine, when we hit about 65 MPH, would take a deep breath and then take off like it was supercharged. Always amazed me how that little 1.6 had so much git up and go, could squeak the tires and yet still average 28 MPG.

Quote Selected

Re: 4 cylinder Trackers

Reply #10 – August 01, 2013, 07:52:25 pm

Odometer doesn't change when being towed.  That spare tire has aged out and should be replaced.

Quote Selected