Updates and changes.
I have been wheeling the new Tracker/WW3 for a few months now. I
ended
up using 200 LB springs up front and 170 LB in the rear for now.
(QA1 Hal 12-200 and 12-170) I could really use the 200's in the
back
too as I carry ALOT of tools Just incase. (and a spare 33" tire)
The rear bushing on the "A" Arm (upper) doesn't last well unless you
leave
the adjustment Loose. and then carry a spare. A
Poly bushing seems to be lasting well. (this is a part from an early
Ford bronco.)
>>>I have found that the Poly
bushing works fine (almost a year on the current one.) I
plan on going to 4 link with rod ends as soon as I get to it. (sick
of
dinking with it.)
The dual tcase works great and the Automatic is a no-brainer. talk
about
reducing driver workload! and it stays nice and cool with the
Motorhome Tranny cooler I have on it. (the fluid is still nice and
clear
no wear at all, I have checked the temp on the cooler lines after
working
hard sections in 90+ degrees days and
it is still not "Hot" Have to get a gauge on it one of these days.
It
is warm to the touch but It hasn't gotten hot enough so I can't hold
the
lines with my hand.
>>>The Auto has worked out
great and has never overheated with the cooler.
The ARB rocks. I love it in the rear end, and plan on a front when
funds
allow.
I also installed an Electric air pump that is wonderful I bought it
from
Buzzard Gulch tool supply. (it is a PUMA 12v compressor and tank. cont
duty
and only 189.00 shipped to me.)
It pulls some amps so My GM alt handles that with no problem. the only
problem
I had was with the ford type solenoid that I burnt up and replaced with
a
heavy duty one,
I need to dig up my spare Winch solenoid (cont duty rated) and use that.
I have more pics I need to get up but with due time.
Future additions-
I plan on a front sway bar and quick disconnects for on the road use,
(with
the coils I feel it is needed for daily driving)
The full cage and of course the 4 link on back.
the front end is perfect and I will not be modifying that right away
until
I fab a new set of arms for the tire clearance. (winter project)
I have Made the new arms for the
front (Pics and description below) to give me additional clearance for
the 35's I have gone to this year.
the only problems I has where at steering lock the tires rubbed. with
the new links the 35's may hit the frame at full lock but It will be
close.
This is me rockcrawling up in NH.
I am currently building a 1991 GEO Tracker for rockcrawling.
(Something a little different!) Some of the first mods so far are a new
bumper and my Ramsey 9K
ProPlus winch. here are a few pics,
Here are some more detail shots , More, last one
This will Be WildWeasel MK3 And will have the stock 1.6l and a 3 speed auto with the tracker t-case backed up by a samurai T-case with 4.16 gears into a set of 1984
toyota truck axles for axle longevity. Suspension will be a 3 link coil suspension. with the auto and 2 t-cases it should come out around a 220-1
crawl ratio. More pics as I build it this winter.
Feb. 03-14-03 Got the 95 tracker 3 speed auto and tcase
swapped
in
during the fab fest. It is a Th180 (actual a 3 series but I don't
recall) with the converter lockout. that part works fine with the
91 wiring harness
but the backup lights still need to be reconnected. (this weekend!) I
installed a heavy duty trans cooler for a moblehome so it will stay
nice and cool while crawling. drives and shift great!!
I added a drain plug on the pan while I had it dropped so I can change
fluid without running it down the arm when I drop the pan to change the
filter.
If you like the bumpers and would like a set I will be producing
them
for sale soon and will need a guinea pig to be the test subject. which
means
cheap bumpers! I will just need them for a few days after
construction
for building jigs. I have a 2 door parts truck I can make them
off
of if you have a 2 door, or if 4 door I would need the truck for a
weekend
to make templates. (if all else fails I can steal the
wife's truck and use that!)
It is from a 1985 Pontiac 6000 with the 6cyl engine 94Amps. Uses the stock pulley bored out on my Lathe to fit the GM shaft. I had to add 1 washer behind the pulley to get it to line up
perfectly. I also replaced the main and cam seals and swapped in a new timing belt while I was at it. (it has been leaking oil as you can see from the first shot. No drips now!
The wiring hookup is the same as a 87- sami,
with no problems. works well and has been powering the winch as I plow
this winter.
REAR BUMPER
With the rear bumper I was trying to go with
the less is more (Weight wise) and still maintain the usability
that I had in mind. rear tow points, and a receiver for my hitch.
You may notice the mud flaps, they
are removable with a pin so I don't loose them in the wilds... Gotta
keep the Police happy. The spare will go on the rear deck,
it will have an external cage and be a half top ala old bronco's and
scouts, Bobtail style.
My former Ride is a 1987 Suzuki Samurai, That is set-up in a SPOA lift
with CJ springs in the back and rear springs moved up front With
Homemade missing links
to allow the longer springs and also allow more droop. Here are
some pictures of it Grill shot
I have an SJ410 grill. It really looks much better than the stocker
action
It is named the WILDWEASEL2. It has a 4.16 T-case gear set, and
has 4.62 diff gears from a 91 Sidekick. It is locked both ends with
Powertrax Lockers.
I am Running 33x12.50x15" Couser Mud tires on Willamette custom
backspaced wheels. here is a finished shot of the mods on 33's
The paint is a modified woodland camo pattern, Its cheap and is easy to
touch-up. bigweasel
I also have added Toyota Truck power steering,
Not the easiest swap around but its very strong. Here are some
pics of that, toy
toy2
Here are a few more shots.toy3
toy4
toy5
toy6
Here are the changes I am working on now, Missing link
Rear Sami springs up front with homemade Missing link expanding
shackles.
and my new hybred axle
I made that in my shop, along with the M/L .It is part Sidekick and
part sami axle. I get the 4.62 gearing of the sidekick and the
larger gear with the correct offset and axles for the sami, Along
with disk brakes from the front of a sami, I also added in a traction
bar to help
my springs survive in a SPOA configuration. These mods are
now complete. Here are a few pics - Trac1
Trac2
Trac2 also has "Rolling Rockers" from My friend Tim at Yankee-offroad They are
the rollers on the front of my rear spring mount. the hope is they
will help prevent the mount getting smashed as I climb over
rocks.
Here are some other shots of the truck and parts of it.
dash
dash2
These are of the dash insert that my friend Randy bent up for me, It
gives me more room to install gauges and hardwired control of my
winch. (Its a 8K lb Ramsey BTW..)
rockrails rock2 This is my soulution to the rotted and dented running boards on the truck.
Updated 04/05/04 (happy Daxe?)