1993 Lifted Geo Tracker (New to Me! Build Thread))
Just bought my first GEO Tracker! Looking forward to the experience and hope I am able to learn alot from those that participate in this forum. I have had a lot of support in the past with vehicle forums.
Been looking for a unique off-road machine and decided on a 1993 GEO Tracker! 3" body lift with 31" Super swamper tires. I don't know much lese, other than it needs some serious TLC.
Just bought it today and am looking forward to fixing it up and learning more about the vehicle. I will plan to share my build and experiences with the forum in this build thread. I will probably also post threads relating to issues I am having, that I just can't figure out.
First issue I am going to need to work on is to figure out if I want to deal with emissions or not. The catalytic converter has been removed. I will need to install a new one and hope that it passes. My other option is to register at our cabin, which does not require emissions.
Stay tuned... Here is a link to my dropbox with photos of the rig. I will laso try to upload some on here as well.
Nice looking truck, and welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it. A couple of thoughts:
Check engine light should be on with key on, and off when car is running.
When starting from cold start, idle should be about 2000 rpm or so, drop down to 1500 rpm within 5-10 seconds, then slowly reduce as car warms up, to 800 rpm steady idle.
You should have great heat in the cab (showing that car has warmed up properly), no bogging, hesitation, etc. You should get between 25-29mpg. And you should have a lot of fun with this, these are great little trucks. Plenty of info on the forum about timing, tuning, problems, etc. Enjoy!
Nice looking truck, and welcome to the forum. Looking forward to seeing how you get on with it. A couple of thoughts:
Check engine light should be on with key on, and off when car is running.
When starting from cold start, idle should be about 2000 rpm or so, drop down to 1500 rpm within 5-10 seconds, then slowly reduce as car warms up, to 800 rpm steady idle.
You should have great heat in the cab (showing that car has warmed up properly), no bogging, hesitation, etc. You should get between 25-29mpg. And you should have a lot of fun with this, these are great little trucks. Plenty of info on the forum about timing, tuning, problems, etc. Enjoy!
Thanks Bex! I appreciate it. Will be posting here quite a bit during the build/rehab process. The vehicle looks pretty kick-ass, but needs a bunch of work. I am going to start a list and post it on here and then come with a plan of attack. Drivetrain first and then cosmetic stuff.
As far as what you mentioned, there are already problems. The truck starts great and hits 2000 rpm's and stays there... it then drops to 1500 and then pulses up and down from 1500 to 2000. It never goes below 1500. There is no bogging or hesitation, so I am sure it is vacuum issue and will attack it next weekend.
I am heading off to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico this morning for New Years celebration. Even though I live in Arizona (32F degrees right now) it will be nice to go down there (85F degrees)
I created a to-do list yesterday just to give me an idea of what needs to be done. I know it a lot of info. I will detail out some specific issues in the future.
Starting to put together a game plan.
GEO TRACKER
TO DO LIST
Budget: ~$1500
Buy repair/service manual $20
DRIVETRAIN
Engine:
Check compression
Replace all fluids
- oil (use additive) (fix leaks) $20
- brake fluid (flush and bleed) $10
- coolant (flush) (replace coolant lines/hoses) $50
- power steering (replace, flush if needed) $10
- replace fuel tank fill hose and fuel filter $20
- tune up engine... replace plugs, wires, distributor cap
- diagnose and fix vacuum leak (fast idle, replace needed hoses) $40
- take to mechanic to adjust timing (or learn how) $20 (buy gun?)
- replace cold air intake (new filter) $50
Electrical:
- go through all of the electrical systems and fuses. Make sure wires are loomed or zip-tied. Replace worn wires/fuses. $10
- get winch wired and working properly. Buy new remote cable for winch. $50
- double check interior lighting for night-time driving. $10
- Install stereo system. High powered deck (no need for cd) with USB and aux connectors with new speakers front and back $100
Transmission:
- replace gear oil/fluid in transmission and transfer case. Check for leaks. $20
- look into adding a transfer case locker (of sorts) to make sure front and rear 4x4 works well. (Optional after testing offload) $??
Axles/Driveline:
- replace axles/half shafts in front end. Make sure 4x4 system is working. $200
- check for play in driveline, replace u-joints if needed. $50
- diagnose and repair leak in rear axle. Rebuild axle with new bearings and seals if needed. $100
Suspension:
- Figure out rattles in rear suspension, diagnose and try to fix.
- Get tires/wheels balanced and full alignment. Replace needed components. $100
Heat/AC:
- check to see if heat/fan is working
- in late spring have AC system gone through and see if we can get AC working. $100 (DIY)
Brakes:
- Full brake job. New pads all the way around, plus turn rotors (front) and drums (rear). $100
- Flush and bleed brake lines. $20
Replace any that need it. Brakes need to work very well (not squishy)
COSMETIC ~ $200
Find following parts at junk yard or buy stock donor car (~$500) and then sell once parts are swapped.
- front/side reflectors
- gas cap (missing, maybe buy new)
- interior panels for rear (missing)
- AC vents plus AC/Heat knobs
- Driver side seat belt female receiver
- rear view mirror
- glove box
- seat springs (to be able adjust driver seat) (for now physically put in correct position.
- door handles, locks etc (parts that are missing to make work)
- shifters (both, if in better shape)
- steering wheel (or get steering wheel cover)
EXTRAS
- side rock sliders (once everything else is done) $250
- fix driver side window (might be off track, may need to replace manual window regulators) $50
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Phoenix, Arizona USA
1993 Geo Tracker, 2dr convertible, 1.6L, 8v, 5 spd manual, 4wd
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1993 Lifted Geo Tracker (New to Me! Build Thread))
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