Well I don't "Hate" it but I'm not happy.

Did Jeffs spacer kit, Low Range Off Road body lift, made my own bumper relocaters, cut the front bumper. Installed 5:13's and  a lockrite, 31" Toyo MT's on stock wheels with 1.25" spacers.

Looks good but even with the gears it wont hold overdrive, damn converter wont stay locked so I'm sure my mileage has gone to crap and I imagine the trans temps are not good either.

I should have gone with 235's but no I had to go with 31's.  I'm disappointed to say the least, spent damn near $1000 just on the tires.. Cant really take them back now either.


Before





After

Yeah, I'll bet you'd be crazy pleased with 235s.  But, you're right, it does look good.

I just really wanted the ground clearance. I like rocks and 235's are just not that much larger than the stock 205's.

I ran 235's for a long time and run a very similar setup to yours.  I'm much happier w/ 31's off-road, especially in the rocks, but it's primarily for wheeling.  We've got two other cars for daily drivers, and I'm in my work truck for most daily driving.  Tracker is a bit of a dog on pavement (2.0, auto) above 60.  Last time I checked in very mixed driving (freeway to my sis' place in Vegas, some driving round town, mostly off-road coming home) I was still averaging about 20 mpg.  Not spectacular, but you wouldn't get that kind of milage in a full-size 4x4 truck.

I've got a 99 2ltr tracker on 31's and 5:13's and I find it runs great. I didn't notice much difference at all from my stock tires and gears.
Maybe you should just sell your 2ltr and find a 2.7 ltr xl7 engine for it....then do a SAS in the front....then then...yeah it never ends.

When the 2.0 eventually dies (hopefully, not for a while) the long term plan is to swap in a 2.5 or 2.7.  Whatever I can find when the time comes.  I actually don't mind the IFS.  I would LOVE my IFS if it were possible to adapt a Calmini Anvil under a Gen II.

Looks real good with the beefy tires,  sounds like you have the same overdrive issues I got.  The 30s make it want to downshift if the RPMs aren't just right.  About 3100 revs will keep mine in the right gear at about 60 mph, but if I hit a bump and my foot moves thats enough to knock it down a gear.  I think  it just takes a little gettin used to.

Try simple mods like go get a exhaust made and do a intake and trans cooler and see how she does

like above and use it off road too, have some fun with it like you intended to and you will enjoy it.