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Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 12:05 Go to next message
rcjordan   United States
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Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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I manage my disabled brother's affairs. He needs a 2wd, automatic tran, cold a/c, modern-ish vehicle. His budget is tight, <$3k. Given what I've learned from GMCnet, the Tracker comes to mind. Thoughts? Other vehicles to consider?

SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321291 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 12:40 Go to previous messageGo to next message
George B. is currently offline  George B.   United States
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I have had 3 Trackers and must say they are good rugged vehicles, seem to run forever. Not very comfortable for long trips or freeway driving but great for around town.

George Butts Las Vegas Nevada 73 "Custom 26' Q" & 76 23' Birchaven 71 Honda 600 Coupe & 01 Tracker Toads
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321308 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 14:52 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rcjordan   United States
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Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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Yes, it'd be for around town use only.

Was there a sweet spot in the model years --years where they seemed to be better-built? Or, conversely, model years that were problem prone?


SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321314 is a reply to message #321308] Sun, 30 July 2017 16:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Carl S. is currently offline  Carl S.   United States
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Location: Tucson, AZ.
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We have an '03 four door, 4WD, automatic Tracker as a towd, and my wife's daily driver. Fortunately, she is not too fussy about what she drives. Not to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four wheels great, but doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven years we have owned it.


Carl Stouffer '75 ex Palm Beach Tucson, AZ. Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear American Eagles, Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321316 is a reply to message #321314] Sun, 30 July 2017 17:02 Go to previous messageGo to next message
tphipps is currently offline  tphipps   United States
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Location: Spanish Fort, AL
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RC, If serious on Tracker, you might consider the tin top. Look inside the rear wheel openings at the shock towers, this is a bad rust spot. Floor boards are also prone to rust out. Tracker would be a great around town car but not much fun on Interstates. It will do the speed easily, but the short wheelbase will beat you up.
Talk to Eric T. at the eclipse party, he has owned three. He got his current one from me. He said that it was the most rust free one he had seen, including the two previous ones that he owned.
See you in Dillard.
Tom


2012 Phoenix Cruiser model 2552 KA4CSG
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321318 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 17:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry is currently offline  Larry   United States
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For your disabled brother, get the 1996 and newer Trackers. 96' and newer had crash air bags. Just a thought.

Larry Smile
78 Royale w/500 Caddy
Menomonie, WI.
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321324 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 17:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
rcjordan   United States
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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Yeah, around town highway use only. Mostly going to do his shopping and meals.

> 1996 and newer

10-4

>tin top

They're pretty scarce but I was thinking of holding out for one (based on some of your earlier searches for a hardtop). Good to know about the rust. Most ads show the ragtop in bad shape or missing. Floorboards are one thing, but shock towers...


SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
Re: [GMCnet] Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321327 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 18:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Ken Henderson is currently offline  Ken Henderson   United States
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Registered: March 2004
Location: Americus, GA
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RC,

Based on my experience and the prices I've seen lately, I'd suggest looking
a early Honda CRV's -- 1999-2000-ish. While our '99 CRV AWD shows only
130K miles, it's got at least another 85K towed behind the GMC. I'd take
off for CA in it tomorrow if necessary. It would be a somewhat noisy trip
-- they're not very quiet inside -- but it would undoubtedly be trouble
free and yield 25+ mpg. When I've considered upgrading to a later model,
I've seen a lot of similar models at around $3k.

We use ours as a daily driver and I can think of only one "weak spot' -- I
had the front struts replaced for squeaking at around 85K & one's squeaking
again now. Do remember, however, that replacement of the timing belt is
recommended at 60K.

Ken H.


On Sun, Jul 30, 2017 at 1:05 PM, RC Jordan wrote:

> I manage my disabled brother's affairs. He needs a 2wd, automatic tran,
[color=blue]> cold a/c, modern-ish vehicle. His budget is tight,


Ken Henderson
Americus, GA
www.gmcwipersetc.com
Large Wiring Diagrams
76 X-Birchaven
76 X-Palm Beach
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321330 is a reply to message #321287] Sun, 30 July 2017 19:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
KB is currently offline  KB   United States
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I believe you can't flat tow the 2wd automatic trackers without expensive modifications.
The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.

Karen
1975 26'
Re: [GMCnet] Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321332 is a reply to message #321327] Sun, 30 July 2017 19:28 Go to previous messageGo to next message
&lt;rallymaster is currently offline  &lt;rallymaster   United States
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Registered: May 2014
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Just remember, the Tracker is a true off-road vehicle, and it rides a bit
rough. We had one for several years, and that was my only gripe.
Replaced it with a 2004 CR-V (both with auto tranny) no complaints except
the flat towing procedure is a bit more involved. Much better ride.

Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II


RonC

On Sun, 30 Jul 2017 15:54:26 -0600 Carl Stouffer
writes:
> We have an '03 four door, 4WD, automatic Tracker as a towd, and my
> wife's daily driver. Fortunately, she is not too fussy about what
> she drives. Not
> to say it isn't a nice vehicle, but it does ride a bit hard, and
> doesn't accelerate very fast or hit much of a top speed. It four
> wheels great, but
> doesn't do well at freeway speeds, especially on uphills. Ours has
> 134,000 miles on it and has only needed minor repairs in the seven
> years we have
> owned it.
>
> --
> Carl Stouffer
> '75 ex Palm Beach
> Tucson, AZ.
> Chuck Aulgur Reaction Arm Disc Brakes, Quadrabags, 3.70 LSD final
> drive, Lenzi knuckles/hubs, Dodge Truck 16" X 8" front wheels, Rear
> American Eagles,
> Solar battery charging. GMCSJ and GMCMI member
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org
>


Ron & Linda Clark
North Plains, ORYGUN
78 Eleganza II


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Re: [GMCnet] Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321336 is a reply to message #321330] Sun, 30 July 2017 20:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Worobec is currently offline  Gary Worobec   United States
Messages: 867
Registered: May 2005
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Senior Member
We had a 1991 Tracker manual trans. Left us stranded in Arches National Park when the computer went out and then a series of blown head gaskets. Finally dumped it.


> On Jul 30, 2017, at 5:35 PM, KB wrote:
>
> I believe you can't flat tow the 2wd automatic trackers without expensive modifications.
> The 4wd automatic and manual versions are flat towable.
>
> Karen
> 1975 26'
>
>
> _______________________________________________
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> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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Gary Worobec
garytwmw@gmail.com
(o) 951-763-0518
(cell) 773-230-6226




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Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321386 is a reply to message #321287] Mon, 31 July 2017 08:14 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
Karma: -74
Senior Member
RC, if he's around town, mileage isn't going to matter. Look closely at four door sedans from Ford, GM, Chrysler. They have zero panache and thus low resale relative to condition. The Toyota run forever, but have a bit higher resale.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
Re: [GMCnet] Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321391 is a reply to message #321327] Mon, 31 July 2017 09:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
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Hmm. I was thinking the 99-2001 CRV had a timing belt replacement of 105k miles or 7 years? I would do it at 90k.


I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.

Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not have that ln the design.

My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
Arr



Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: [GMCnet] Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321422 is a reply to message #321391] Mon, 31 July 2017 11:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
GMC.LES is currently offline  GMC.LES   United States
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Registered: April 2014
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Senior Member
I'll also back the 99-2000 Honda CR-V as a good choice.

My wife had one that we put 260,000 miles on. It took only routine maintenance until last summer when I went through the suspension and brakes, replacing a box full of parts.

My main reason for recommending the car is the safety it provided my wife. She basically walked away from a head-on collision at 50mph last December. She did suffer a concussion and minor chest injuries, but nothing broken or serious.

The nose of the CR-V absorbed the impact and was severely flattened, but the shell retained its form and all doors still opened and remained aligned. No broken glass either. Totally amazed at how it protected my wife. The 2016 Kia that hit the Honda didn't fair as well, requiring mechanical jaws to open the drivers door.

For a disabled person, I personally would put accident survival as a high concern when shopping for a vehicle.

Les Burt
Montreal
'75 Eleganza 26'


> On Jul 31, 2017, at 10:06 AM, Jon Roche wrote:
>
> Hmm. I was thinking the 99-2001 CRV had a timing belt replacement of 105k miles or 7 years? I would do it at 90k.
>
>
> I just replaced all the struts on my crv this spring. Fronts cost me $110 for both complete strut/spring assembly off amazon.
>
> Took me longer to jack up the car and remove the wheels then it did to change out the front struts. The rear were $100 for both, and the lower
> bolt gave a fight and I had to jack it sky-high and sawzall off the lower bolts and replace. (Both snapped off and fused in bushing). Fronts did not
> have that ln the design.
>
> My crv has 130k on it now, i have put 15k of those on. Great car. Parts are also easy to find.
> Arr
>
>
> --
> Jon Roche
> 75 palm beach
> St. Cloud, MN
> http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
>
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> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://list.gmcnet.org/mailman/listinfo/gmclist_list.gmcnet.org

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Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321444 is a reply to message #321287] Mon, 31 July 2017 16:07 Go to previous messageGo to next message
David del Rio is currently offline  David del Rio   United States
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Location: Raymond CA
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If you don't intend to leave the pavement (off road / beaches), then the Tracker may not be the best option. If you want off road capabilities little else would compare for the price. I have have the 4x4 Automatic and love it. If you go with a 4x4 you need to replace the auto locking front hub's with manual ones to prevent accidental engagement of the front drive line. This is a simple and low cost modification. Yes, you can flat tow the 4x4 Automatic. Hope this helps.

David del Rio - 75 Avion - Raymond, CA
Re: Bring me up to speed on the Tracker [message #321495 is a reply to message #321287] Tue, 01 August 2017 16:18 Go to previous message
jhbridges is currently offline  jhbridges   United States
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Registered: May 2011
Location: Braselton ga
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In re the older CRV, nice ride, cousin had one which ran flawlessly for 200K plus mles. However, a minor smack in the rear at a light bent the unibody such that they had to write it off as unfixable. Also, Honda is inordinately proud of their parts though ebay browsing can cut the pprice substantially.

--johnny


Foolish Carriage, 76 26' Eleganza(?) with beaucoup mods and add - ons. Braselton, Ga. I forgive them all, save those who hurt the dogs. They must answer to me in hell
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