Black 1997 Geo Tracker 2 Door 4×4 Rag Top

SOLD Dec. 9, 2021 for $7,900, with 5 stock wheels & tires instead of the black wheels and muddies, including delivery.

Acquisition of the 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door 4×4 Rag Top
August 30th, 2019 we drove to Virginia in a 2012 Nissan Rogue, and came back to Daytona Beach the next day with a 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door 4×4 with just over 85,000 miles on it. Driving it to the beach added 900 miles to it, so it was registered in Florida with 86,243 miles on the odometer. It’s a very nice rig, that is untouched and all stock. These are the GEO import form of the Suzuki Sidekick. Same li’l truck.

Vehicle Transportation

This Tracker handled fabulously on the highway at 70, 75, and even sometimes 80mph for the 12 hour ride to its new home, and the only thing that was missing was air conditioning. There was a problem with the fan preventing anything from blowing (read below). Such a smooth ride, but that might change when we modify the wheel configuration. That high speed (for a Tracker), long ride kept the gas mileage at approximately 25mpg.

Inspection and Service
It had a fresh state of Virginia vehicle inspection just done at 85440 on July 11, 2019. The following were inspected and passed:
Brakes
Headlights
Signals Lights
Steering
Suspension
Exhaust System
Fuel System
Tires
Hood Latch
Emission Control
Windshield
Windshield Wipers
Side Windows
Mirrors
Doors
Seats
Seat Belts
Floor Pan
Defroster
Horn
Speedometer
Odometer

After our own inspection, the first thing we did with it was an oil change where we switched to 100% synthetic oil. Our SideTracks are treated to the best. Preventative maintenance smarts told us to replace the serpentine belt because it showed some wear, and the timing belt because that’s a known issue with all SideTracks and it’s best to address it early rather than wait for it to fail. We flushed the tranny and found it to be in perfect condition, but while we were there we replaced the Cam and Crank Seals. There was a code for the Oxygen Sensor so that got replaced too. A valve cover gasket solved the only oil drip that existed.

Currently there is an Evap Code that is the only code causing the Check Engine Light.

Its air conditioning problem was a simple blower switch and a dead rat, now it blows cold.

Wheels
To avoid lifting this all stock vehicle, we’ll install the US Wheels 304 Stealth Star Flat Black Rims that are 15″x7″, 3.75″ back spacing, -6 offset, with 5 on 5.5 bolt pattern and 108mm bore center hole. Mounted on the rims will be larger than stock 235/75R15 Nexen Roadians which are 101Q rated mud tires. The left manual locking hub is very stiff and has to be turned with a wrench. The right one works perfectly. Rather than simply repacking both of these old stock ones with grease, we bought the top of the line Warn 34581 manual locking hubs. Boy they are heavy duty and just look sweet the colors of this set-up will be.

Exterior
Soft Top
The previous owner of this 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door 4×4 Rag Top had its soft top replaced with a perfect original looking, tight fitting, black, aftermarket soft top made by PavementEnds. They had somehow broken the rear clips that fasten the back window bar down across the tailgate.
As you can see in the photo, the tires that came with it are close to new, but as stated above, we’re gonna beef ’em up to the max that will fit without a lift kit. You can also see there’s a dimple beside the right tail light that just adds to the cuteness. I mean, TOUGHNESS (spoken in deepest voice possible!). Paint was not affected.

We have added a bikini top to this baby so you can still drive mostly topless, but keep the sun from giving you cancer.

Here’s the new look with bikini top and with full top, new wheels and tires, stripes removed.

Body
For a 1997 Tracker from Virginia, this is surprisingly rust free. Apparently it was treated well and stored inside, and I guess there isn’t much call for salt on the roads in VA. A magnet was placed on all the common rust areas of high mileage Sidekicks and Trackers from the north to ensure everything was original metal and not bondo. The body was close to perfect, and would have been rated perfect if it wasn’t for normal wear and tear like clear coat scratches and some very minor dents like the ones at the tail lights that didn’t even mess up the paint.

UPDATE April 2020: Rear tail light dents that came with it are fixed and rear fenders got new paint.

The paint overall is not faded or messed up. It seems that the clear coat is fine; there’s no cracking and peeling that you often see, even on the hood. This Black 1997 Geo Tracker’s paint is in remarkable condition.

Its decals are faded and one edge of the driver’s side one is slightly pulled back.

UPDATE April 2020: Decals removed and paint buffed to hid “ghosting”.

Bumpers
The bumpers on this 22 year old beauty are only slightly faded, but at least they aren’t dented. Lookin’ good here!

Wheel Cover
Now a 4×4 Tracker has to have a spare tire hangin’ outside of the tailgate for possible blow outs or un-beaded rubber in the rocks. This one has its spare tire covered with a vinyl Harley Davidson protector for now.

We have a new Smittybilt Jerry Can Holder and if we fasten it to the tailgate in front of the spare, it will eliminate the possibility of a cover. We could also fasten it inside the tailgate but then there’s possibility of fumes inside.

Interior
Seats are nice with no holes and not frayed or ripped. Had the drivers side seat cushion re-stuffed to keep from sitting on the metal rails!

Steering wheel has a blemish at the very bottom edge.

Brake pedal cover is warn and needs to be replaced. After a great deal of searching, two brand new pedal covers have been located and will be installed.

The carpet was damp at the tailgate due to the rear window bar not being latched down. Underneath it is rust free.

The passenger side door has four scratches near the window.

The rear drivers side speaker is missing.

The radio blew its 20amp fuse and stopped working while we were listening to it and there was an adapter plugged into the lighter socket for a phone charger. We removed that charger plug and replaced the fuse.

UPDATE July 2021
Tire cover is gone because it would not fit over the larger spare. I bought a new spare Nexxen 235/75r15 Mud Tire and black rim to match the first four. This is the biggest, due to weight, mud tire that can hang from the tailgate of a Chevy Geo Tracker without tearing the sheet metal when you hit a bump. There won’t be a jerry can installation.

ALSO, the sun had faded the hood so I had it wrapped with tire tracks.

SideTracksPro is lucky to have this Black 1997 Geo Tracker 2 door 4×4 Rag Top and proud to own it and offer it to y’all. It has its own space in the garage, but will look better in YOURS!

Email 4×4@sidetrackspro.com to make that happen!