The Heap. A Gen 2 Tracker/Vitara Build

[IdaSHO]

No worries.

After all the steel work is done, the body will come off the chassis, motor, trans and xfer case refreshed, chassis resprayed.... etc... etc...

So yes, it will be getting a new timing set and all new cooling system goodies.
It will be as close to brand new as I can muster, minus the dents I dont care about

 

[IdaSHO]

Been crazy busy lately.
Was only able to get a couple hours of work on the heap this afternoon.

More front tube bumper work....

Winch plate received a complete re-design.
It is now 100% integrated into the bumper via a hoop and plate.

Tow bar backing plates in. And wings tied together.
Ill leave things a bit long until the fenders/flares are mocked up.

I also want to go without a stinger if I can.
So the 6" lightronic LED spots will be frenched into the grill.
Being attached to the radiator core support (body mounted) will isolate them from vibrations a bit as a bonus.

 

[IdaSHO]

Well, Im glad I picked up a bit more 1" and played around with a stinger.
I like it. It will allow for front mounted lamps, and add some grille/radiator protection.

We are getting close on this bumper.
A few gussets and fully weld, and done.

 

[IdaSHO]

Bumper is just about wrapped up.
Took some better photos, and is now off for final touches and full weld.

 

[IdaSHO]

Front bumper is as close as it needs to be for now.

And it checks all the boxes. Slim, lightweight, cheap, winch, off road lights, tow bar ready.

Fully welded now, and could use some flapwheel dressing of some joints, but its plenty good to receive some temporary paint
as I push to another part of the project. It, along with many other items, will eventually be sent to the blaster for blasting and epoxy primer.

Im pretty happy with how it turned out.

 

[IdaSHO]

As mentioned previously, I did manage to source some deeper gears.

5.12's should work very well with the larger 31" tires

The front axles in these rigs are so tiny and cute!
I just pray I don't find myself breaking the aluminum unit.
The steel diffs are incredibly hard to find.

 

[IdaSHO]

Next up, a simple 4-point roll-bar/cage

 

[IdaSHO]

So I'm struggling a bit with the roll bar/cage design.

Really fighting to keep the back area accessible enough to load the dogs into the vehicle from (ideally) the passenger door.
Also making certain it is well beyond any non-helmet wearing heads, and within the OEM body.

I whipped up some bends to attach to the floor/rockers, all the while trying to keep the hoop vertical.
But the jog in the hoop is an obvious weak point.

So I'm considering RED.
Hoop with no jog, laterals that tie into the trans tunnel, and a cross bar.

Thoughts?

And don't mind the joints. This is little more than a mock-up.

 

[operator john]

Idasho any up up dates ?? This is a Great build. Thanks John

 

[IdaSHO]

None to report.

Been busy with other projects at the moment that need the shop and my time, so the tracker sits under a cover on parked on the side yard.

Hardwood being refinished at our house...

Which means the old Vermont Castings stove has to be refinished....

AANNDD.... we are still at it at the new house...
Sheetrock, tape, texture, and paint in the past couple of weeks

And Ill need to haul trims for the new place, so I also fabbed up a rear rack for the superduty

So, Ive been, in a word... BUSY

But Ill be back at the tracker once things settle down to a manageable level...

 

[Inyo_man]

Looking good! ...the joys of a remodel.

Cheers

 

[operator john]

WOW busy guy . All looks great ! Thanks 4 update . John

 

[IdaSHO]

Been a while. But Im back at it.

Been working on a simple tube flare design.
Keeping with the 31's without a lift. But I want full coverage

Rivnuts, 12ga flanges, and 3/4 EMT. Very light weight but ridged. Skinned with masking tape and rattle canned to check profiles.
Once the profile is sorted 100% they will be wrapped with epoxy/glass and raptor lined.

 

[IdaSHO]

 

[IdaSHO]

Flares are done for now. They are raw frames that will eventually be wrapped/skinned with fiberglass.
Ill come back to those later.

Onward with more metal/body work. The tailgate is an absolute mess.
The PO obviously used the spare, that was mounted to the tailgate, as a bumper, bashing into whatnot in the woods, repeatedly...

No matter.
I had my doubts it would last long term with the full size 31-10.50 spare, and I would prefer a drop-down tailgate anyhow, so here we go....

Hinges are universal weld-on hinges. Complete with nylon bushings and zerks.
Latches shall be manual lock bear-claws.

Obviously, plenty yet to sort out. But Im pleased with the carboard mockup.
Im no pro with metalwork, but this seems doable