Introduction to Project: Trouble.   So named because building a race rig for the Zukiworld Challenge is probably exactly that. 

1991 Geo Tracker
2 Door Soft Top
Manual Transmission, 4wd

The goal of this build is to make a Zukiworld racer.  Watching 2_dogs_inc run last summer showed us that you don't need to build up the rig to have fun and be competitive.  Combined with the relatively short build time available we are trying to stay as close to stock as possible, adding parts to the vehicle as required to meet the racing requirements and add strength to known weak points.

Say hello to Trouble as she arrived fresh from the car lot that took her as a trade in:

First item on order was a new set of seats.  2_Dogs_Ink liked his EMPI Race Trim seats so a pair was picked up from Jeepswag.com on sale.  

Picked up a spool from Velocity from the Classified section, it arrived on my apartment 3 days later.  It certainly won't be installed that quickly.

Ordered some Bilstein front struts from TireRack.com.  Team Zukspeed ran them at the last Zukiworld Challenge and they held up well.  I like them enough on my DD Tracker and they certainly look beefy so on Trouble they go.  Special order part, it will probably take a month to get them.  Should still be plenty of time.

Spent a day in the Garage helping BRD HNTR on the V6 installation, started stripping out the interior:


There she sits, with the tow bar removed and soft top pulled.


Look ma, no seats.


That is a lot of rug.

This weekend is busy but next weekend is scheduled for more work.  Need to get tubing for the roll cage and plan my seat mounts.  Should be fun.

Awesome!!  I cant wait to see your progress...  I'vr got a list of honey do's that is keeping me from working on my project.  May be a week or two...   Keep the pics coming!!

Whaddya gonna do for   MORE POWER?

Whaddya gonna do for   MORE POWER?

Nothing! 

It's being designed for the Zukiworld challenge.  We might drop some lower gears in it if we can find them for an affordable price but the goal is to get her to the race track. 

Quote from: bentparts on February 02, 2010, 09:52:38 AM

Whaddya gonna do for   MORE POWER?

Nothing! 

It's being designed for the Zukiworld challenge.  We might drop some lower gears in it if we can find them for an affordable price but the goal is to get her to the race track. 

I thought the goal was to RACE her on the track.  You can get her there, then I can RACE.  Sounds good to me.

any chance you want to get rid of that grill? it doesn't match the paint anyways.

hey i really need that tow setup i have the brackets that go to the sidekick, but not the hitch or cross member.  70 bucks?

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/classifieds/91-soft-top-plus-hardware-and-tow-bar/

Was looking to get $150 for it, but for just the hitch setup I'll take $100 and you pick up in Seattle area, or further north. 

And I'm keeping the grill. 

ya i am in puyallup.  Harbor Freight has them for 70??? Why 100

ya i am in puyallup.  Harbor Freight has them for 70??? Why 100

Does Harbor Freight really have a tow bar for that price for the Sidekick? Do you have a link or a part number? I have people asking about them all the time and don't really have an inexpensive answer.

Thanks, Eric

Cool another challenger. I really like the idea of the Zukiworld Challenge, and I bet it will be a lot of fun.

I was just thinking....I guess you dont mind telling your challenger/s what you plan on running? I guess its just friendly competition anyways, so maybe everyone who enters should start a build thread....

Good luck, and keep us posted, I know I will be following this thread.

[Does Harbor Freight really have a tow bar for that price for the Sidekick? Do you have a link or a part number? I have people asking about them all the time and don't really have an inexpensive answer.

Thanks, Eric

You still need to build a frame:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94696

The main reason it is for a 100 is I don't want to part with just half of it, as I have no use for the other half.  But I would probably take 90.  Or less if you have a tow hitch. 

Cool another challenger. I really like the idea of the Zukiworld Challenge, and I bet it will be a lot of fun.

I was just thinking....I guess you dont mind telling your challenger/s what you plan on running? I guess its just friendly competition anyways, so maybe everyone who enters should start a build thread....

I'll be working on the project this weekend.  If it makes other people want to build rigs and join the race I'm more then happy to share as much info as needed. 

I found one of those harbor freight hitches for CHEAP and picked it up. I have used it to tow all kinds of things. the last time I used it I was pulling a 4 door kick. I don't have the brackets, so I took the front bumper off and welded a 1/2'' by 3'' flat bar across the frame rails and drilled holes to match the tow bar. I might be interested in the brackets, but I would want them to be a somewhat easy bolt on and off setup. If you don't want to just let one piece go you could sell me the brackets and S.Sidekick the tow bar. what do you want for the whole thing and what do you want for just the brackets.