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looking for replacement of rhino

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looking for replacement of rhino
« on: November 27, 2011, 06:46:54 PM »
I have a been using a rhino, I am happy with the fact that I can cover a lot of ground twice as fast as with my HALF ton chevy, what can I do to a zuki to make it comfortable to caver ground as fast as a rhino, I will trailer it to where ever I want to go. I just want the heater and coveer for bad weather. I havent bought a zuki yet and maybe this wont work for me and will have to lookat other options. thands in advance
« Last Edit: November 27, 2011, 07:24:03 PM by niknare »

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2011, 08:29:25 PM »
I have to admit the Rino & Razer do have awesome suspension. 
I can drive to the destination, and go more extreme than they can, for the middle ground they are fast little buggers.  My hunting friends have 650/750 quads, and when I show up with my Tracker we use it.  Heat is nice, comfort is nice, and other than signs that say NO 4x4 I can go down any trail they can, and some trails they have to really work at it to follow me. 
I have and am building my Tracker so it will go and do what I want, so far for less than half their cost (and a lot of work).  Both types get us where we want to be, enjoying a good trail.  But, I can go down a paved road to another route and way back.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline The Goat

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2011, 09:24:25 PM »
Not sure where you are located, but a cabbed Polaris ranger is quite nice.  It's much more capable in mud than a sidekick/tracker/samurai can be down here in the south just because of weight and ground clearance.

An suv that isn't setup for Baja style races will never cover rough terrain as fast as a side by side.  I've taken side by sides to the limit on tight trails at speed, an suv would have eaten a tree.  Not to mention a side by side can hop downed trees 36 inches in diameter without batting an eye... Need some mighty good skids and suspension to do that in a zook.

My vote is for a ranger with a can and a slow moving triangle on the back window.
1995 Four Door Kick...auto, OME, 33s, 200k. Other stuff.

Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #3 on: November 28, 2011, 06:26:51 AM »
I was thinking about beadlock wheels low tire pressure, ddoent tha help alot?

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2011, 09:12:42 AM »
Larger tires and lower air pressure will help with traction, Beadlocks will allow extremely low air pressure without bead coming loose and is usually not necessary.
Rock sliders - replace rocker panels with rectangular tubing, or bolt on rock panel guards.
Skid pans - Front (protect front diff), Center (protect transmission, Back (protect transfer case).  All three will help save your rig when climbing over/around trees, roots, large rocks/boulders, and high speed off road running.
Lockers - locking differentials increase traction for both front and rear.  ARB's offer selectable locking differentials and is the Best for front differential use because it can be turned off for turning.
Lifts - increase your ground clearance and allow larger tires.  Can use coil spacers, longer or heavier springs, suspension modification or replacement, or combinations of all.  DYI or Kits.

Check out the http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/.
For a kit look through this build http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/suzuki-sidekick-vitara-geo-tracker-%28gen-1-platform%29-1989-1998/install-altered-ego-4-5%27-lift-kit/ it is not for Racing, but a complete kit for improving off road use.  Talonracer has done a very good job in doing and showing how it was installed.
Check out my build DYI from scratch http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/build-diaries-how-to-diy/tracker-2x4-rockers-frnt-bmper-4-dr-sprngs-lwered-frnt-diff-$30-steel-frnt-diff/ , this is doing it the hard way (but I enjoy what I am doing).
And then this should do ithttp://www.zukiworld.com/month_110110/feature_project-zr3-the-way-a-tracker-should-have-been-built.htm] [url]http://www.zukiworld.com/month_110110/feature_project-zr3-the-way-a-tracker-should-have-been-built.htm[/url]


93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline kreator

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2011, 10:40:06 AM »
I also agree the polaris has its place , But my mildly modified Tracker will supprise you where it would go and drive down any road and my son just took it on a 700 mi trip
BOB | www.KreationFab.com | 503-689-1377

Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2011, 08:35:25 PM »
thans foor the input, i will never drive on the highway, i will akways trailer my zuke, so because it wont be on highway i thought there might be some soft riding things i ciould do that you would not be able to do on a highway rig

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Offline Jonny Rash

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #7 on: November 29, 2011, 07:55:07 AM »
As a person that owns both Samurais and Sidekicks, I would agree with going with a mildly modded Sidekick/Tracker. 
25+ years of Samurai ownership!

Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #8 on: December 01, 2011, 08:33:29 AM »
I have a Polaris Ranger, Samuari, and a Tracker

If I had to have just one it would be the Tracker.

Mine is a 95 2 door removable hardtop - perfect mix of everything.

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Offline KJMac

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #9 on: December 02, 2011, 09:35:50 PM »
Kreator has seen my 4 Dr 1994 'kick, it has a little lift with 235/75/15 wranglers. My dad and I are both disabled and have used various rigs over where we hunt and the tracker wins! My dad is impressed every year. We tow bar it over and drive about 700 miles while we are there, it is great. A two door would be better but for us the 4 door suits our needs and hauled my son to preschool.

Good Luck on your purchase!
1994 Kick, 16v,header.2.5" exhaust,ported MAF,home made mufflers, K&N filter,5" lift with jeep LJ front springs on the rear and Ford ranger springs on front with 2 3/4 spacers,OME struts with 3" strut spacers,31/10.5 Hankook Dynapro MT on 15x7 black D's.

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Offline BRD HNTR

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #10 on: December 03, 2011, 08:42:16 AM »
thans foor the input, i will never drive on the highway, i will akways trailer my zuke, so because it wont be on highway i thought there might be some soft riding things i ciould do that you would not be able to do on a highway rig

Stock these are already pretty soft riding.  The two biggest issues (and for most people are not an issue at all) with a stock Tracker/Sidekict would be traction and ground clearance.  Without ever running on pavement you could use lockers or a spool in the rear differential, and go open up front or use an ARB.  For more ground clearance get a taller spring kit, spacers will make the ride a little harsher.
Stock you can take a Track/Kicker most anywhere the Rino can go,  With those two changes and at least similar/better tires and similar under carriage protection (rock sliders & skid pans) it will go everywhere the Rino goes and close to same maximum speeds (someone can always drive faster for, for a while).  Just more comfort, and while you have no intention of driving it on the road, that is what they were built to do.
93 Tracker,XL7 springs & 1" raised spring pads in front with YJ springs in back, home built bumpers rear & front (w/winch), 2" x 4" rock tubes,  ARB front & rear, converted Sami rear to IFS, 33x12.5x15  aluminum rims, roll cage, 2.7L w/5 speed auto.

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Offline Cheeto

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2011, 01:21:53 AM »
 I sold my Rhino and bought a Rzr because I wanted to be "legal" on the ATV trails. After about a year of that I realized 90% of my off-roading was on Forest Service or county roads anyways. A cab system was going to cost me $2500, a heater was going to be another $200. I always had to decide to take either the dog or the girlfriend...they didn't both fit. Sold the Rzr, applied the payment to a waaaay more fun summer toy. Took some of the leftover cash and bought a Tracker.

 Heater, glass windshield with wipers/washers, CD player, soft top, room for 3 of us plus gear....and best of all.....total investment so far of $1500 including the Tracker (wrecked), lift, new tires, Vitara wheels etc.

 Local spring shop says they can make a new set of coils with softer spring rate for $200-$300.

Long story short...go for it!

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Offline talonxracer

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Re: looking for replacement of rhino
« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2011, 05:28:03 PM »
I can out run the rhinos on the back dirt roads, fully rutted and washboarded roads at 55 mph in the Sidekick with AE 4.5" lift and 31's,  then crawl along a logging road in first gear, 4low at idle, listen to some tunes drinking a cup of coffee, 35 degrees and rain and ice falling from the sky. I gladly sold the Rhino off and decided on the Sidekick. Even though we have lots of logging roads and can get anywheres by the rhino the option to drive on paved roads is awesome! you just cant beat these little trucklets for sheer utility and fun on a small budget!
« Last Edit: December 20, 2011, 05:35:42 PM by talonxracer »
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