Background - I first heard about this rig while I was parting out a 99 Tracker. A guy was picking things up, telling me why, and what he was using the parts on. It sparked my interest at the time but I had four other Suzukis in my garage at that time. I asked that he contact me when he was going to sell it. Years later I get a call from the owner. At the time I was wrapping up an 87 Samurai project, starting an 81 LJ80v, and wheeling a 95 4Runner. With wife and kids, I had enough on my plate, but passed the information on to my others that would be interested. My Dad, of all people bought the Vit. I have only seen this rig in pictures. The last odometer reading I have seen showed 77,XXX, miles if I remember correctly.
I say this because I'll be buying this from my Father in the near future. He does simple maintenance like oil changes. I typically have to encourage/help him with other things like diff, T-Case, Trans lube, tire rotations. When it gets to in-depth stuff like ring and pinion repair/swaps, struts, trans rebuilds, he is out.
What I think I know:
It was made/assembled in Canada (8/1999), 2.0 l inline 4 cylinder, 5sp manual, fiberglass removable top (two piece), 5 lug on 5.5" centers.
What I don't know
Badging says "AWD". Is it AWD with selectable High / Low transfer case like you see on the FJ80 Toyota Land Cruisers, or is it selectable 2WD / 4WD high / 4WD low like you see on the Samurais?
Front outer hubs are not selectable, lock / open. I have multiple assumptions about hubs and how hubs would relate to transfer case. I assume the hubs are one of two types: 1. Auto Locking lending logic to the selectable 2W / 4W high / 4W low unknown, or 2. Fixed outer hub supporting AWD with selectable High / Low transfer case.
Interchangeability. As mentioned, 1999 Tracker head lights work as replacements in the Vitara. What years, makes, models, parts will interchange with a 1999 Vitara.
Gears and Ratios. What are the transmission, transfer case and ring and pinion ratios?
Issues. Everything has an issue, quirk, funny unique oddity that comes with everything. Example: I have bought many Samurais because the Transmission / Transfer Case was "locked up". They were not locked up. The seat that the selector/stick was in had worn out. A $10 fix and sold. For the 1999 Vitara, what issues can I expect to have, can the issues be avoided, and if not, is there a fix?
Thanks,
Rob