Budget Tracker Build

I have a duralast h6 AGM battery in my samurai with the 16v swap, stock alternator. Never killed it, even under heavy/long winching duty. So I would blame the battery beyond anything else. I also suggest finding the wire that goes to the power steering pump and splicing into it and make it switched to ground. That wire is the high idle switch for the power steering, which will give you a high idle mode anytime you flip the switch. Flip it on during winching fo MO POWAAA
 
Alex said:
I have a duralast h6 AGM battery in my samurai with the 16v swap, stock alternator. Never killed it, even under heavy/long winching duty. So I would blame the battery beyond anything else. I also suggest finding the wire that goes to the power steering pump and splicing into it and make it switched to ground. That wire is the high idle switch for the power steering, which will give you a high idle mode anytime you flip the switch. Flip it on during winching fo MO POWAAA
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I just looked up that battery and if I understand correctly it has enough reserve power to handle the winch needs so that would be a lot easier than messing with upgrading to a chevy 1 wire alt.

This power steering wire? Is that for 8 valve too?

I seem to recall a wire not connected to the power steering pump.

What is the reasoning for this function? Why would the power steering pump call for the idle to be raised?

Actually curious, never heard of that before.

I will pick up that battery tomorrow.
 
Yes, both the 8v and 16v have the feature. It's a load sensor so it gives it a bit more throttle when you are steering. Should be a single black wire with a female bullet connector on the end, and there should be a nipple that it connects to on the power steering pump. I'll take pics tomorrow if you need me to.
 
Alex said:
Yes, both the 8v and 16v have the feature. It's a load sensor so it gives it a bit more throttle when you are steering. Should be a single black wire with a female bullet connector on the end, and there should be a nipple that it connects to on the power steering pump. I'll take pics tomorrow if you need me to.
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That will not be needed.

I am pretty sure I saw it laying there next to the pump.

I bet that ties into the ECU controlled vacuum pod that raises the idle, I have that bypassed currently as I was having a really high idle issue.

I will get it all put back together and get that wire connected and tied into a switchable ground.

That sounds like a good setup, thanks guys.
 
Sounds like you’ve already got a plan but I second just changing the battery to start with. My harbor freight winch will drag my tracker with all 4 tires locked up at an idle.

My Jeep has a Ramsey 9000 and it pulls enough amps it will shut the ECM off for low voltage.
 
Could be a bad winch too, HF stuff has came a long way, but it's still HF :laughing:​​​​​​

I used to make fun of them, but my wife got me a set of those broverlander traction boards. You would have drove right out if you had them. They are pretty awesome actually. I've used them on my sxs, samurai, 4runner and even my F350. :laughing:
 
Alex said:
I have a duralast h6 AGM battery in my samurai with the 16v swap, stock alternator. Never killed it, even under heavy/long winching duty. So I would blame the battery beyond anything else. I also suggest finding the wire that goes to the power steering pump and splicing into it and make it switched to ground. That wire is the high idle switch for the power steering, which will give you a high idle mode anytime you flip the switch. Flip it on during winching fo MO POWAAA
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I took your advice and got the same battery.

I tested my old one and it sat at 11.1 volts so it had a bad cell in it so it needed replacement for sure.

I feel pretty good that this battery will fix the winch issue I had.

photo43298.jpg
 
YotaAtieToo said:
I used to make fun of them, but my wife got me a set of those broverlander traction boards. You would have drove right out if you had them. They are pretty awesome actually. I've used them on my sxs, samurai, 4runner and even my F350. :laughing:
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Is this your "coming out" :rainbow: post?

:flipoff2:
 
I took it to Windrock Park today, a 70,000 acre off road park near Knoxville, TN

I had a great time!

I did a few of the easy and some moderate trails.

The Tracker did great but did have some gearing issues on the steep climbs

1st seamed a bit low and 2nd was TOO steep.

I do not think it is a major deal but the T-case gears will likely be a good upgrade to make.

I am going back this Sunday.

I have a front bearing sounding bad so I am going to press it out tomorrow.

photo43301.jpg
 
Sweet! I want to go wheel windrock at some point soon
 
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I did 6 hours of riding at Windrock yeasterday.

Super happy with the Tracker.

I went everywhere, deep mud, climbs.

I turned around just 1 time as I ran into a large boulder pit and I did not want to attempt that.

I think the gearing is decent enough that I am not going to worry about it.

The only thing that really seems that I am lacking is some skid plating.

I haven't looked at it yet as it is still covered in mud but I am pretty sure my fuel tank took some big hits yesterday.

Also I need to pull the rear bumper cover as it dragged quite a few times.

The Tracker just works, I do think the tires are a big part of it

I am going to get it cleaned up and up int he air when I get back in town later this week and try and figure out how to protect the fuel tank and the transfer case areas.

Again, i never take many pics as I am just out driving and having fun the whole time.

Here is an example of where I hit pretty hard.

I had to turn around about a mile past this (boulder pile) so going the other way I plowed the fuel tank on that rock on the left side there.
 
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I went wheeling in Coppinger Cove two weeks ago. We had a 2 door Tracker with a rear locker and strut spacers with us. That thing took one HELL of a beating but it just never quit. The front tires spent more time in the air than they did on the trail. We had to tow it off of a log one time, but that's it. They're great machines if you have a good chiropractor.
 
crispins said:
I did 6 hours of riding at Windrock yeasterday.

Super happy with the Tracker.

I went everywhere, deep mud, climbs.

I turned around just 1 time as I ran into a large boulder pit and I did not want to attempt that.

I think the gearing is decent enough that I am not going to worry about it.

The only thing that really seems that I am lacking is some skid plating.

I haven't looked at it yet as it is still covered in mud but I am pretty sure my fuel tank took some big hits yesterday.

Also I need to pull the rear bumper cover as it dragged quite a few times.

The Tracker just works, I do think the tires are a big part of it

I am going to get it cleaned up and up int he air when I get back in town later this week and try and figure out how to protect the fuel tank and the transfer case areas.

Again, i never take many pics as I am just out driving and having fun the whole time.

Here is an example of where I hit pretty hard.

I had to turn around about a mile past this (boulder pile) so going the other way I plowed the fuel tank on that rock on the left side there.
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The frames are pretty flat under them, so a skid should be easy to do. Consider bracing the front pinion mount, if you havent, and putting a skid under it and the engine too. And these things are fairly light, so you dont need to go overkill on the skid plate.

Could possibly raise the tank up through the floor to get it out of the way.
 
DirtRoads said:
I went wheeling in Coppinger Cove two weeks ago. We had a 2 door Tracker with a rear locker and strut spacers with us. That thing took one HELL of a beating but it just never quit. The front tires spent more time in the air than they did on the trail. We had to tow it off of a log one time, but that's it. They're great machines if you have a good chiropractor.
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I put a set of suspension seats in mine to help with the beating. They tend to drag on alot of stuff.
 
1/8" is plenty thick for skid plates on a tracker, how did the suspension setup ride for you?
 
Alex said:
1/8" is plenty thick for skid plates on a tracker, how did the suspension setup ride for you?
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I will get some 1/8" sheet and see what I can make.

The suspension, it is fine.

It meets my expectations, I knew it wasn't going to be as soft as a SxS but it gets the job done.
 
I literally just found a 1991 Geo Tracker with almost zero rust (DD Florida car) for $750 and want to do exactly what you’re doing.

Going to be reading this thread carefully! Really liked the last pics so excited to see what you’ve done! Also interested in seeing how it handles eastern winter mud.
 
FleshEater said:
I literally just found a 1991 Geo Tracker with almost zero rust (DD Florida car) for $750 and want to do exactly what you’re doing.

Going to be reading this thread carefully! Really liked the last pics so excited to see what you’ve done! Also interested in seeing how it handles eastern winter mud.
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Pull the trigger or send me the info please :flipoff2:
 
FleshEater said:
I literally just found a 1991 Geo Tracker with almost zero rust (DD Florida car) for $750 and want to do exactly what you’re doing.

Going to be reading this thread carefully! Really liked the last pics so excited to see what you’ve done! Also interested in seeing how it handles eastern winter mud.
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That is a great price, lately they have been really high!

I have some updates I am in the middle of, will update this soon.

I think I will be close to complete soon.
 
crispins said:
I will get some 1/8" sheet and see what I can make.

The suspension, it is fine.

It meets my expectations, I knew it wasn't going to be as soft as a SxS but it gets the job done.
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Funny, mine was more plush than my Talon by far. One of the smoothest vehicles I've driven on dirt roads. Obviously once the bumps got bigger, the talons travel was way more capable. The talon is also known to be still on "chatter" type terrain.
 
FleshEater said:
I literally just found a 1991 Geo Tracker with almost zero rust (DD Florida car) for $750 and want to do exactly what you’re doing.

Going to be reading this thread carefully! Really liked the last pics so excited to see what you’ve done! Also interested in seeing how it handles eastern winter mud.
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DirtRoads said:
Pull the trigger or send me the info please :flipoff2:
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The sickness is spreading! :flipoff2:​​​​​​

Funny how even guys with fully capable newer sxs's still want to bomb around in these little things. :laughing:
 
YotaAtieToo said:
The sickness is spreading! :flipoff2:​​​​​​

Funny how even guys with fully capable newer sxs's still want to bomb around in these little things. :laughing:
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You can’t beat wrenching and modifying on a full size vehicle. Plus...manual transmissions, man.

I’m going to have to dig into those ITP’s and snow. I had a set of KM2’s once and I couldn’t go anywhere in the snow with them.
 
I just found a junkyard lift thread where someone used early 90’s Explorer rear coils and early 90’s Jeep Grand Cherokee rear coils to do a 2.5” spring lift.

They mentioned using Crown Vic shocks in the rear.

I might dig into that idea. They said it rides nice and soft and those springs are probably much cheaper than Altered Ego.

This forum is weird and works from page 3 to 1...https://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/90-tracker-with-budget-lift/30/
 
FleshEater said:
I just found a junkyard lift thread where someone used early 90’s Explorer rear coils and early 90’s Jeep Grand Cherokee rear coils to do a 2.5” spring lift.

They mentioned using Crown Vic shocks in the rear.

I might dig into that idea. They said it rides nice and soft and those springs are probably much cheaper than Altered Ego.

This forum is weird and works from page 3 to 1...https://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/90-tracker-with-budget-lift/30/
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I picked up a lift for mine off FleBay for $80, front spring and strut spacers and rear spring spacers. Some cheap parts store Monroe shocks for a 90s Thunderbird for the rear and made a quick rear upper ball joint spacer. Welded the rear and some 235/75r15 Maxxis Bighorns and it goes just about everywhere.
 
FleshEater said:
You can’t beat wrenching and modifying on a full size vehicle. Plus...manual transmissions, man.

I’m going to have to dig into those ITP’s and snow. I had a set of KM2’s once and I couldn’t go anywhere in the snow with them.
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I use mine in snow. When the ITP’s were brand new they didn’t do good in snow, they would dig straight down like a tiller instead of propelling me forward. Now that they’re down to like 30% tread the seem to do great. Like they float but the hellacious side lugs do the work of propelling it forward.
 
JR4X said:
I use mine in snow. When the ITP’s were brand new they didn’t do good in snow, they would dig straight down like a tiller instead of propelling me forward. Now that they’re down to like 30% tread the seem to do great. Like they float but the hellacious side lugs do the work of propelling it forward.
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I just looked at the Tusk Aramids. Looks like a decent tread pattern between mud and A/T. Pricey, but 10 ply.

Tusk have a tendency to run small, though.
 
FleshEater said:
I just looked at the Tusk Aramids. Looks like a decent tread pattern between mud and A/T. Pricey, but 10 ply.

Tusk have a tendency to run small, though.
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Do you want a mud tire or not? :flipoff2:​​​​​​

The carnivores are flat out impressive in slick hard clay and basically any mud. They would drive right up slick hills that truck Mt's just spin.

Something like what you listed doesn't seem aggressive enough for mostly muddy trails.
 
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