i'm debating on getting a tracker/gv.  i think i would lift it 2.5in and shoot for 30 in tires.  3 questions:  would it 1-still drive good, 2-be reliable (axles/cv) and 3-be close to 20 mpg.  let me know what ya'll think, especially those with a similar setup.

thanks in advance
joel

nothin'?  this is why i ask.  i currently have a ford f150 with an inline six, a leveling kit and 32in tires.  i was suprised to find the leveling kit made my steering real touchy and the 32's made 5th gear useless (i think it has 2.77 gearing).  in comparison my wifes trooper has also been similarly mod'd w/ 32's but still drives great.  additionally, the ford is getting 13mpg (ouch!!!) on a 60 mile commute (new job).  i say all this to say, that i realize offroad mods, generally, will reduce your roadablity and increases the chance of something breaking.

now back to the gv/tracker (the newer model).  my main concern is breakage.  i believe i've read that rkster and jagulr7 (spelling?) and a few others have experienced some kind of cv/axle failure.  if i read correctly, they all broke on relatively simple trails.  i admitt i'm mainly a poser but i do go offroad a from time to time and would rather not have something break on my daily driver.  

to quote dr. evil, "need the info" and any additional info on handling and/or fuel economy.

thanks
joel

Get a GV with man. Trans this will do two things for you: 1 better gas milage I would guess around 20mpg+.  2 The man. trans. came with a steel houseing.   As for 30" tires you should be ok with stock gears any bigger and you will need to regear.  
George

to add to the manual, if buying used, double check on the front housing. Early years of the GV had the aluminum front housing, mid-years had the steel. Late models may have a totally different housing altogether. Anyways, another beny for the manual trans is the higher gear ratio. To get lower gears, just swap in the set from an auto trans GV.

As for a daily driver, I prefer the long wb of the XL7. However, I did once have a 00 Tracker conv't. I would think the GV would also be a good choice.

Here's the break down in the front housings all 99 to 03 man. trans have steel with  4.3 r&p  all autos 99 to 02 have aluminum housing with 4.875 r&p.  03 all may have steel but I don't know.  04 and up have steel but are of a differnt type.
George

good info.   bottom line:  make sure its got the steel front housing.  

one more thing, is it pretty obivous the front diff is aluminum vs. steel?

thank you again for the replies and info,

joel

Here's the break down in the front housings all 99 to 03 man. trans have steel with  4.3 r&p  all autos 99 to 02 have aluminum housing with 4.875 r&p.  03 all may have steel but I don't know.  04 and up have steel but are of a differnt type.
George

Cool. Glad all Vitara models (3rd generation) manual trans'd have a steel front housing. Note, been checking on the front steel housings to get one and just recently found one in NY. Go figure. Not much in the yards with a manual.

To distinguish between aluminum and steel by looking, aluminum is usually a silverly color tone. Bring a magnet and know for sure, if you are going to look and touch. I would think also, the drop out center section is also aluminum with an aluminum housing. Don't know for sure. Will let you know once I get my housing as it comes with the center section and the driver's side axle.

Harrys u-pull-it ww.wegotused.com has 4 Vitara's in the yard, 1 I know is a manual 2000 model.

Know where I will stoping by while at Gonzukin  
George

Enter the yard, immediately turn right, there in the new extended truck/4x4/van section.

Know where I will stoping by while at Gonzukin  
George

FYI, my front housing was ~$500, shipping estimated at $100. I could have gone possibly with Calmini Anvil, but I want to attend Zukimelt and didn't want to be looking for items to fit it all together. Atleast this way, I have a steel housing to resell and could work later on getting the Anvil working, though I would rather have FJ80 axles.....