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Comments
Kelly B
'99 Suzuki GV JLX+, 5-speed, cheap little mountain goat
If you need new tires, and want something which has at least *some* off-road traction, look at BFG AT/ko's. Not cheap, but I've got 245/70/16's on mine, and I'll take it anywhere, without hesitation. I am going to go down in size to a 225/75/16, as I get a bit of rubbing both front and back, which is more annoying than anything.
Does your steering wheel shake while on the freeway? You've probably had the tires balanced a few times, and it's *still* there. Problem is, the toe spec for these machines is -0-. Neat, in concept, but under load, like when going forward, that -0- toe becomes a slight toe-out condition, and you're feeling the wheels occilating. Easily fixable, just dial a half a turn of toe-in on each tie-rod end. Have to do each side equally, or you'll have a crooked steering wheel. Fixes the funky inside edge tire wear, too, FWIW.
Finally, if you want a *cheap* lift, the urethane spring spacers for a Jeep TJ fit this machine. For $60, you can get either a 3/4" or 1 3/4" lift, all four corners. I tried the bigger one, and wound up cutting my spacers down, as the suspension contantly 'topped out', and it gave me a wicked headache. I've got only the rears installed, as I don't have a spring compressor handy.
Just some tips from a list newbie.
Kelly B
'99 GV JLX+, not abused regularly enough....
Kelly B
'99 JLX+, 53K, not bad for a cheap car
Try going back in your browser; often you can return to the screen where you typed your message and can then copy the text into your clipboard and try again.
Steve, Host
Mine was the *rear* diff, not hard to replace, really, just daunting to consider/look at. I replaced just the 'pumkin' part, got one for $267, shipped, from a guy down in Eugene, OR.
Turns out, the cracked pinion was one of the 'common' <eye roll> problems with the GV/Tracker. I've been lucky, otherwise, only an air-bag sensor going wacky below 38F, a hood squeak which I'm not convinced I've finally fixed (haven't heard it in a couple of weeks, though), and *horrible* resale value. It's really a good little moutain goat, and the nice thing is, because I don't really care too much about it, the big pine tree dent above the LR passenger door adds 'character'. ;-)
Kelly B
Also, suzuki may equip it differently than the trakcer so as to enhance marketability.
tidester, host
cschapin Oct 2, 2002 10:35am
Steve, Host
What part of PA do you live?
town is called Belle vernon, look it up on yahoo maps. arent you western pa also,. but like near butler or something?
Steve, Host
(Don't mind me - it's hot and I've been ranting all day!)
Still we need to hook up! Go off roading or something or drink beer which I CAN do, even if its not IC.
I had a squeaky serpentine belt which I replaced and it solved that problem. Other than these two things and basic maintenance I've had a good 42K miles so far.
He attributes most of this good luck to mobil 1 synthetic oil
Otherwise, enjoy your rig!
http://www.amsoil.com/products/hdd.html
Here's one link.
Steve, Host
You also get a timing chain, not a belt, a full boxed frame, plus a real 4 wd setup.
A co worker now has 170K on his tracker and its still going strong!
Go for it!
If the tranny was replaced at 77K, you're basically driving a new car, IMHO. Even interiors are lasting a good long time, which is great, as a car isn't 'old' at 100,000 miles, anymore.
I've even gone to 10K mile synthetic oil changes in our '95 Intrepid (111K miles) and the '99 Grand Vitara (Tracker) 54K miles. My wife's new-to-her '02 Lexus RX300 is gonna go on the same plan with Mobil 1. With regular old 'dead dino' juice, 5K is plenty often.
By the way, he has uses MObil 1 since day 1!