Best year tracker for Offroading?

[98-RagTop]

What is the best year tracker to modify into an offroad machine?

i want a 4x4 soft top 5 speed manual

i guess its a question of the 1.6L 16v VS 2.0L (want it 98 - 2003 year)

[Bex]

As this side of the forum ends with the year 1998, we don't have much of a choice here. For the newer models (99+) click on the 'Suzuki Grand Vitara' link on the left. It's for the newer models (not only Grand Vitara).

[98-RagTop]

wheres a good place to compare old and new models for modification?

[Bitbucket]

You are asking to compare apples against oranges.
Nobody has a spreadsheet to do that.
It's a matter of making a personal choice, then going from there.
They all work well, each year has 4x4 softtop (2dr) 5sp manual available.
Pick a year. Each year has it pros and cons. There isn't a "bad" year that I know of, it's more a matter of what's available for you to buy.

Probably the biggest body of aftermarket offroad options is available from '96 and earlier. But you've ruled out anything earlier than '98, which severly limits what you will consider from our collective body of knowledge. Asking the same questions with somewhat different wording won't change what we can offer.

Given that you seem eager for a larger engine and newer body, Bex nailed it the first time. "...click on the 'Suzuki Grand Vitara' link on the left..."

After a few weeks *reading* what good news and bad news has been posted there if you decide that those model years don't offer what you want, you are welcome to come back here and *read* the historical posts. Almost every question possible has been asked and answered, sometimes adnauseum. No need for you to ask the same questions again just because (for instance) searching is not your thing. History is available for your personal learning and growth, without waiting for somebody to scrounge up time to teach. Hmmm, think of it the way you'd listen to music. Do you ask "Which is the best song?" Hey, you can decide that after enjoying about 1,000 songs on your own. And your best song probably won't be my best song, but that really won't matter to you. You get to decide what is best!

Once you buy a '98 or earlier vehicle and need assistance working through difficulties, we'll still be here to assist.

I'm not the moderator. I just understand the excitement of a new hobby and wanting to jump in getting "the best". Unfortunately, life is seldom multiple choice. Life and automobiles have many many essay questions. This is but one of many many answers. Search engines can be your friends.

[Rhinoman]

Go for the 2.0 or 2.5V6 or you'll have the same gearing problems as the earlier models.

[2cheap4jp]

If factory specs would help one decide upon a vehicle, there's a good listing of them over at zukiworld.com, ZUKIWORLD online
Enjoy.

[Bitbucket]

Caution, here comes spanner into gears:

'96 and earlier have stronger frames at the rear when it comes time to attach super-duper heavy bumpers and 2" receivers. OK, maybe that's bad information passed to me by super-duper heavy bumper makers, but the rear frame engineering changed in '97, and not for the stronger. If the frame is "made stronger" it is also made stiffer, which reduces the ability to flex, flex being important if rockhopping is your "offroad" bag.

[98-RagTop]

Originally Posted by Bitbucket

Caution, here comes spanner into gears:

'96 and earlier have stronger frames at the rear when it comes time to attach super-duper heavy bumpers and 2" receivers. OK, maybe that's bad information passed to me by super-duper heavy bumper makers, but the rear frame engineering changed in '97, and not for the stronger. If the frame is "made stronger" it is also made stiffer, which reduces the ability to flex, flex being important if rockhopping is your "offroad" bag.

good tips

[suzukifan27]

for simplicity and reliability reasons, I would use whatever had the 1.6, not a fan of the 2.0 engine by any means

[happyharold4]

I think simply said that a lot of newbies after reading a bunch in the archives, have a similar question------Why put a 1.6 and other parts off Trackers in a Sammy----Just start with a Tracker-------Also why put a Vitara 2.0/2.6 in a Tracker-------Just start with a Vitara-------Yes/no maybe so???????

Happy