Bush Buggy- Tracker (Vitata) or even a Kia Sportage?

[lip_ripper00]

the original sportage is body on frame and has a 2 speed transfer case...

This is if it has a transfer case, anything is possible.

[lip_ripper00]

I picked up a 2002 Suzuki Grand Vitara a few years back, after a good week of cleaning it was like new! But, there was a bit of engine noise when you reved the heck out of it. I drove it for about 6 months until one morning when I started it, it had a different noise? I shut it off real fast, got some help and pushed it into my car tent. Spent the next week watching YouTube vid's on how to replace the timing chain and gears, chain guides and chain tensionor, etc. All the parts were under 250, and when done the car purred! We gave the car too our Grand Son for graduation last fall and it hasn't skipped a beat! All for under 2 grand. And it has power everything too, and in the bush on rough roads and trails it's 10 times more comfortable than my Jeep Liberty! Most of these small motors are called a "Interference motor", which means if it skips a tooth on the timing gears the valves go into the pistons, creating one very expensive bloody mess! So before you buy a small car or truck listen to the motor, carefully! Check the engine oil, if it's real thick the owner has added lots of STP or simular to quieten it down, look else where! Good Luck!

hey..... did you know it also had a locker in the front?

[floden]

Thanks guys... This is great info. I guess we should
ask for some pics ... If you have a bush rig you love, let's see it...

[Harvest the Land]

Samurai with a good winch and you're more set than Alanis

[REMINGTON JIM]

the original sportage is body on frame and has a 2 speed transfer case...

about ? what years where those made ? RJ

[tinbasher]

95 to 02.
I'd be worried about finding parts for them though

[BC Cruiser]

My thoughts. Spend a little more money get a land cruiser. Cost more for good reasons.

[tuner]

There is a samurai as well as a tracker on CraigsList right now, the tracker is listed at $2300( that’s a good deal)

[MRP]

This is if it has a transfer case, anything is possible.

Yes high/low range is a must. The exception being a permanent gear reduction, but sucks having to trailer it every where.

[Squamch]

My thoughts. Spend a little more money get a land cruiser. Cost more for good reasons.

A cruiser weighs 3 times what a zuk does.
Sidekicks and samuairs are not the same. At all. No parts interchange.
I'd go sidekick/tracker/vitara if I was you. Or a Toyota pickup. All the jap stuff will have rust issues though. Nice thing about zukis and Toyota's is the aftermarket. Try to find a bumper or a tcase upgrade for a Kia.