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Base or LSI?

22K views 32 replies 10 participants last post by  PARKRAT  
#1 ·
So, I just recently purchased a 1993 Geo Tracker and I'm near clueless with vehicles and not sure as to which model it is, base or LSI? It's a 5-speed, if that helps. I'm not sure if it's 2wd or 4wd either. :cool:

It's in rough shape, cosmetically. I'll be making a thread soon with all the issues I could use advice or tips on how to fix.

Image
 
#2 ·
According to wiki...

wikipedia.org said:
LSi equipment included Air Conditioner, Chrome Rally Wheels, intermittent wipers, rear window wiper/washer, spare tire cover, 3-speed GM Turbo-Hydramatic 180 automatic transmission, tinted glass, and special red/black front and rear bucket seats.
If rust is one of the issues....Check out the link in my signature below. It'll make you feel better ;)
 
#6 ·
According to wiki...



If rust is one of the issues....Check out the link in my signature below. It'll make you feel better ;)
Rust is a major issue with this! And I have already seen your thread a few days ago, it's quite an amazing project you have going!

On the other note, thanks everyone, I'm assuming this is the base model now because I don't think I have the features of an LSI, and it's 2wd because I have only the transmission shifter. Thanks guys! :rolleyes:
 
#4 ·
If it helps, in '93 there were 5 models available; 1. 2WD convertible, 2. 4X4 Hardtop, 3. $x$ convertible, 4. LSi 4X4 Hardtop, and 5. LSi 4X4 convertible. 5spd was standard on all models, 3spd auto optional on all models. #1 rear seat was optional, #'s 2-5 rear seat was standard. 4X4 will have TWO levers in the console area; one for the tranny, other for transfer case (for engaging the 4WD,if present).
More pix mite help
Jim
 
#5 ·
Razor,
The wiki info is mis-leading. A/C was an option, not standard with LSi. But then A/C was optional for all models. LSi's did have cloth seats, with "see-thru" headrests.
Jim
 
#7 ·
Thanks for clearing it up, I know wiki isn't a great resource but it is darn convenient :lol:

Rust is a major issue with this! And I have already seen your thread a few days ago, it's quite an amazing project you have going!

On the other note, thanks everyone, I'm assuming this is the base model now because I don't think I have the features of an LSI, and it's 2wd because I have only the transmission shifter. Thanks guys! :rolleyes:

Anything I can help with I certainly will. First priority needs to be to get the chunky stuff out that holds moisture and speeds up the rusting process. Get yourself a map gas or propane torch it will help dry out rusted areas before you treat them and provide a great tool for getting out rusted hardware without breaking it.
 
#9 ·
Simply, I believe that the LSI model had the split bucket seats in the rear, and the base models had a bench seat. LSI is just a matter of trim. They all had rear seats, by the way. The 4wd will have an extra shift lever between the front seats, as well as locking hubs on the front wheels.
 
#17 ·
Rear seats

Simply, I believe that the LSI model had the split bucket seats in the rear, and the base models had a bench seat. LSI is just a matter of trim.

They all had rear seats, by the way.

The 4wd will have an extra shift lever between the front seats, as well as locking hubs on the front wheels.
Bex,
Beg to differ on the rear seats. Rear seats were an OPTION in *at least* 91,92,and 93 2dr convertible 2wd Trackers.

What do you mean by "matter of trim"?

Jim
 
#11 ·
When you get to the jap ones it gets more confusing. It is only Escudo written on the back unless it is 2.0 or 2.0 v6 to differentiate between the i4 and v6. Unless it comes to the special editions.

The japs do have a lot of special edition trim though.

Even when it comes to the special editions it is weird. Mine has helly Hansen trim but no external bading where they often do. Same with th goldwins, there is a lot of variation in the external and internal trim. I don't know if the japanese owners do this on purpose or what.
 
#12 ·
Yeah, that doesn't surprise me. I only meant that the only way we could tell was because of the badges. Manual everything (cept auto trans), 2wd, bench seats, but with A/C and Cruise Control. Could be either/or, right? Now I'm curious....
 
#15 ·
I would guess that you have a Base 4X4 as it looks like you have locking front hubs and you do not have the extra colored trim band on the front bumper cover that LSIs have.
Welcome to this great Forum and get ready to really enjoy your new to you Tracker.
ArizAl
 
#19 ·
The early "fancy" sidekicks and trackers had chrome steel wheels as "standard", a little later, "fancy" switched to alloy wheels. From viewing their catalogs, Suzuki was more consistent over the years, once making something "standard" carried through with the following year's. Tracker, however, was very inconsistent, which is one reason we see all these inconsistencies, depending on what year model the poster has.
By "fancy" I mean "JLX" for the sidekicks, and "LSi" for the trackers.
Sidekick catalogs, in general, are prettyb good at listing almost al features and what's "standard" and what's optional. Tracker/GEO/GM catalogs, for the most part are "sketchy", at best. Some tell almost nothing. However, there are a "few" of the "regular" catalogs that are more detailed than other year's. The best are the large 50+ page ones, if/and when you can locate them. When I do find them, I do get them for my reference library. I do happen to have the big ones for 1991 (two copies), and 1992 (1). I can provide quite detailed info for those two years should someone have an inquiry. I check ebay weekly looking for other years. It is possible they don't exist :(
Jim
 
#20 · (Edited)
Bex,
Alloy wheels was an option available in 91, if elected, spare tire cover was also required. Naturally, if you didn't purchase new, the original owner could have purchased it with that option, or a later owner could have simply swapped steel wheels for a set of alloys.
91 LSi, ,as standard, came with "LSi styled steel wheels", alloys as an option. Spare cover was standard already.
91LSi "standard" was auto hubs, manual's as an option. Hope this helps with your "mystery".
Body side mouldings was also an option available on any model, standard already on LSi.
Interesting, 89 LSi was hardtop only, and A/C was standard. go figure
Jim
 
#22 ·
Parkrat,

Your signature says you have an 89 GMC Tracker "SLE". What's "SLE" stand for?

Jim
 
#25 ·
It's a base model. I had same red and rag top that was actually a Lsi. The give away in this pic is that Lsi models have the adjustable head rests. This one here has head rests built in with the seat sorta speak. Besides, something this nice would also have the Lsi logo on the side of the doors too if it where the Lsi model.
 
#26 ·
Rarkrat,

In all the factory "sidekick" "factory brochures" I have, including for "89" (although have another coming soon, possibly here tonite), I've never seen "SLE" for a sidekick. I'm guessing you have such a "designation" somewhere on the outside or inside of the vehicle? If so, could you post a pix of it. I've seen with many different vehicles where a dealer or dealer chain "customize" vehicles with some trim options (wheels, seats, etc) and add "badging" of their own seperate from factory packages.

LSi, however was a factory or at least Cami tracker thing, seperate from what Suzuki had for their "un-rebadged" cars. What was standard, and what was "optional" changed by years. "special" seats was a common thread through the years. "base seats" in both sidekicks and trackers were one-piece "backs", cloth centers, but vinyl "trim", and the upper "grades" having adjustable, seperate headrests. Suzuki even had a third (more upper grade) with a slightly different square open center style headrest.

To quote an 89 tracker brochure: "The Geo Tracker LSi is not a luxury car. But it is (undelined) a very dressy, very comfortable way to go four-wheeling.
LSi equipment (not available on Tracker convertible) (*their parentesis) includes:
Air conditioning Chrome rally wheels Intermittent windshield wipers Rear window wiper washer Spare tire cover 3-speed automatic transmission Tinted glass white-lettered on-/offf-road tires.
On the inside, this Tracker offers a whole new look, with the following features: Fold-and-flip rear bucket seats with recline feature. Fully reclining high-back front bucket seats with "see-through" adjustable head restraints. LSi Custom Cloth interior trim. Molded accoustical headliner"

All of those were available as well as other options (6 listed) available on all tracker models. (pg 12). So, for 89, "LSi" was hard-top, and 4-wheel drive with A/C "standard, as well as some special "trim" features.

Jim
 
#27 ·
The SLE badge was used by GMC only, still is on there trucks, it wont be on a geo sidekick, the badge is on the doors just above the door handle, mine came with a/c, p/b, pulse wipers, rear wipe and wash, rear defog, rear buckets, tinted glass, custom trim, crome steel wheels, tire cover and rocker flares. Theres a pic of the sle badge in my profile album.
 
#28 ·
Parkrat,
OK, I did an search on GMC Tracker SLE. Apparantly for the Canadian market, "GEO" wasn't marketed in Canada, being stricly a US Geo/chevy. For 89-91 GMC in Canada marketed them in CL and SLE versions; Changing to "sunrunner" (vs "tracker") in 92 in Canada (Asuna "brand"). When I was purchasing bruchures, I deliberately excluded Canadian "printed" brochures, and only focused on getting the US focused brochures. That, perhaps, was an error on my part, and may have to be re-explored. Thanks, at least, for re-directing me. I'll have to add another 2 "ebay search engines" under both "GMC tracker" and "sunrunner" for brochures.
Jim
 
#29 ·
Forgot to say mines canadian, still has the maple leaf import sticker in the door jamb, mine has the option sticker on the inside of the glove box, if you can decode it thats the best way to find out what yours came with from the factory.
 
#30 ·
Parkrat,
Since you're from Canada, maybe you can help us out a little with understanding how the North of the border things went.
So far, and I'm not done exploring, I've found out that 89, 90, Chevy sold trackers in canada. 91, I found that GMC did. What I haven't figured out is if BOTH did at the same time. Here, Chevy sold "El Camino", and GMC's similar variant was "Sprint". Chevy had "blazer", GMC had "jimmy". Was it that way with tracker, except BOTH called the same vehicle "tracker" instead of some different "label"?
I also saw in 94, Pontiac sold "Sunrunner", one model being "GT". So apparantly it went from Chevy/and/or/GMC to Pontiac selling "Trackers" as Sunrunners for ????years? Would appreciate any info you could share about how it was done "up there". And, again, thanks for sharing.
Jim
 
#31 · (Edited)
To be honest i dont know that much about them, when i got it i thought i was just one of those odd ball gmc's i never seen before, when i got it home and started looking around i found out the damn thing was a DP, made in japan!! but turned out its a ok truck, runs good, nice mileage. So heres what i do know about them... When the Geo Tracker was introduced in the United States the Geo brand was not sold in Canada. Because of this the Tracker was introduced there as both the Chevrolet Tracker and the GMC Tracker. The Chevrolet Tracker was sold at Chevrolet dealerships in Canada starting in 1989. Initially there were 3 models: a base convertible, base hardtop and a CL hardtop (CL is equivalent to the LSi in the Geo line). In 1990 a CL convertible was added to the line-up. 1991 was the last year for the Chevrolet Tracker as the Geo marque was brought to Canada in 1992 and all Chevrolet Trackers were renamed Geo Trackers, yet they continued to display the Chevrolet "Bow Tie" symbol on the front grill emblem until the end of production in 1998. All 1989–1990 Chevrolet Trackers were four-wheel drive. From 1991 on the Geo Tracker sold in Canada was identical to its US counterpart. The GMC Tracker was also introduced for the 1989 model year to be sold at Pontiac-Buick-GMC dealerships in Canada. Just like the Chevrolet and Geo initially there were three models: base convertible, base hardtop and SLE hardtop (SLE being equipped the same as the CL and LSi of the other marques). In 1990 an SLE convertible was added to the lineup. 1991 was the last year for the GMC Tracker as GM introduced the Asüna marque in 1992 and the GMC Tracker was renamed the Asüna Sunrunner. The Sunrunner was marketed as more upmarket and had no base model, with all of the Sunrunners being equipped like the SLEs were. The Asüna brand did not last long though and after only two years (1992 and 1993) the Sunrunner was rebranded as a Pontiac. The Pontiac Sunrunner was sold in Canada from 1994 to 1998 in both base and top of the line GT trim. It was available in two- and four-wheel drive and in both convertible and hardtop body-styles. While the Geo Tracker was also sold as a four-door wagon beginning in 1996, the Sunrunner never got this body style.
 
#32 ·
Packrat,

Thanks so much for that overview, that really helps a lot. At least now I'll have some decent basis when looking for brochures. I'm sure there are others that appreciate your overview of the canadian market versions here as well. Kudos to you. Now our Canadian bretheren have a base when looking through JY's for parts, etc.
Jim