Bakednaz' 94 tracker build thread

[bakednaz]

I bought a 94 tracker that had front end damage about 6 months ago.  I took it out in its stock form to the cracks with only a welded rear dif.  Had a blast!  Made some believers but had to take alot of bypasses cause of the 4 inch clearance under the truck.  I had a few extra bucks and was gonna do what most others do to trackers, coil spacers and longer shocks.  I decided why even waste the money when the ultimate goal here is to put solid axles under it.  So I started collecting toy parts.  They came pretty cheap so I was able to gather most of the parts.  I have finished the rear and will be taking it down to Duncan to azzuki's dad's to finish the front.  I cant wait to get it done and start wheeling!  Here are the rear pics. 





 

Let me know what you think, Baked

[bakednaz]

O.K. got started on the front end today.  Removed the IFS garbage, gave it the salute and got rid of a bunch of brackets.  Tommorow i'll get measurements and do some mock up.  Have to wait until tuesday eve to fab up new spring hangers.  If you have any questions don't hesitate to ask.  Cause i know i'll be asking a bunch, Baked

First photo is the front end damage:



Second is the ride hight:

[poorboy]

lookin good so far. good lookin pics too...
keep us up to date
 

[lacrosse10604]

What size tubing did you use for that rear bumper?

[bakednaz]

Honestly, its  a rear bumper from an old toyota.  I flipped it up so your looking at the bottom, thats the receese for the highlift.  Reworked the ends so it was asteticaly pleaseing.  I thought it came out pretty good.

[lacrosse10604]

I like it.

[Joe S.]

is that gonna be strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle?  looking good!

[bakednaz]

is that gonna be strong enough to support the weight of the vehicle?  looking good!

Yes, it is fairly thick.  I want to say 1/4" then I put a 1/4" plate where each hanger is.  I am not worried about it failing, Baked

[suzota]

looking good.

[bakednaz]

I am currently trying to figure out the best way to do frame extensions to mount the front spring hangers from.  Any idea's?  Pics of whats been done?  Any thing to get the creativity going, Baked

[Jeremiah]

Woah - Is this the intake tube?



I used to take the sami up to some pretty deep watter, but looks like I'll want to avoid that in the Tracker... unless I figure out a snorkel option....

[suzota]

yup.
thats the air intake.

thats why the first thing we do is a snorkel

[bakednaz]

 Edited to save having to put the flame suit on, Baked

[XmikeJ]

No offense but now I know why I'll do a linked set up if I ever swap in a toyota front axle.  That just looks a little scary to me.

just my $0.02 though.

[bakednaz]

No offense.  I have thought real hard about just doing a link.  I talked it over with a budy and I am going to come straight off the top.  This set up will put me up to high and kill my approach angle.  The pics are of the piece just put in.  They are not welded, nor is it fitted properly.  I will post pics of the completedfront end after it is reworked.  For know i'll just remove the ugly pics to save getting flamed, Baked

[bakednaz]

O.K. got the front in.  Went down to Duncan where azzuki, myself, and my father in law went to work.  Azzuki did some amazing work and I could not have done it with out him!  Major props little brother!!  Here are a couple of pics, Baked



Next on the agenda is the drive train.  I am keeping the stock motor but I am going to attempt a kicker3.  Then pull out the dent as much as possible, put the fenders back on and have some fun!! 

I think it looks better than the first attempt.  What do you think XmikeJ?

[bakednaz]

Getting closer!

[trailturd]

O.K. got the front in.  Went down to Duncan where azzuki, myself, and my father in law went to work.  Azzuki did some amazing work and I could not have done it with out him!  Major props little brother!!  Here are a couple of pics, Baked



Next on the agenda is the drive train.  I am keeping the stock motor but I am going to attempt a kicker3.  Then pull out the dent as much as possible, put the fenders back on and have some fun!! 

I think it looks better than the first attempt.  What do you think XmikeJ?

In these pictures are the front shackles missing? It doesnt look right

[bakednaz]

Yes,  I had some brackets that I thought I was going to use.  Ended up taking some rear Yota brackets and welding them up there, then putting the shackels on. 

[bakednaz]

Been awhile since I updated this post.  The beast is alive.  I am doing some final things to make it trail worthy then off to a shake down run. 

[Joe S.]

Sweet!

[MN_samurai]

i like this build a lot.  it is simple and seems to be turning out very nice.  i plan on using leaf springs all around on my 97 geo tracker either this fall or in the spring.  i will be following this thread closely.

[zuki68]

i like this build a lot.  it is simple and seems to be turning out very nice.  i plan on using leaf springs all around on my 97 geo tracker either this fall or in the spring.  i will be following this thread closely.

x2

[whateverworks]

Are you going to put some plate on the chassis where the front upper coil buckets were? I would suggest you do so as that is now a weak point as well as a crumple zone to soften the blow due to an accident or hitting something hard on your aproach.
May I also suggest that when you remove the cross member that you build another one to replace it in a way the drive shaft will not hit under full flex.
This will also stop the chassis from flexing like a cheep aluminum ladder.
Kelly

[bakednaz]

I think I left the fron cross member in.  I cant remember and the rig is a coupke hundred miles away at my father in laws right now.  I will definately take your suggestion under advisement.  It has been a long road and kinda doing it my own way, I will take more detailed pics when i am done and post up. 

The first drive with it was hairy   bad death woble.  It didnt have shocks on it yet either.  I am going to try a drop pitman first, hopefully this corrects the problem.

[Biggerhammer]

A dropped pitman arm won't fix death wobble. It will fix bump steer to a point. A shackle reversal would possibly make it a little easier on you but...

[Joe S.]

Out shocks on too. That will possibly help the wobble.

Is the axle square?

Is the toe and pinion angle properly set?

Are the knuckles in good shape?

Are the tires in good shape?

All these things will affect death wobble

[Whitfield]

Castor plays a big part in amplifying death wobble. 

So many folks set the perches on the axle solely on the relationship of pinion angle and ignore castor.   Zukimon had a long thread on death wobble that I think made the sammy FAQ.  I'll work to find the link.

http://bbs.zuwharrie.com/content/topic,45625.0.html

[bakednaz]

Thanks for the info guys.  I will need to take a good look at it.

[bakednaz]

She lives!  I put shcoks on all four corners and it does better.  I havent taken it down the hwy yet.  But crawlin around it does great!  I am pleased with the out come.

[viper]

So what springs and tire size are you running? Or did I miss that?

[bakednaz]

I am running yj's 5 leaf up front and 4 leaf out back.  The tires are 33 cooper dicovery I believe.  Nothing to aggresive. 

[shotgunshrimp]

 why did you use yj springs? i have a few toyota solid fronts and rears. is it not good to use the factory truck springs? .. i have 2 tacks now 1 is going to be the final outcome but if i can do a axle swap front and rear and gain from it im down.. hell we made a 4 wheel drive boat...   any insight would be great

[bakednaz]

They have been used by the sammi guys with good results.  It worked out well, they are very flexy!

[jawman]

thats a nice set up. and it looks kind of simple too. I also like that rear bumper.