"Tinker Toy" - Soon to be headed to a new WGM member near you

[ProGrade]

Well I just traded The Reject for this tracker...

Here's what I started with:

99 Tracker
Solid front axle (was told from a CJ)
Automatic
Manual locking hubs
New Battery

Going into the deal I knew it needed:
Back window
Radiator remounted
electric fan rewired
front hubs need pulled apart and cleaned
steering loose
shocks


So Far I took the top off to clean it up and start repairing it.  

I have pulled all the carpet, the floor looks surprisingly pretty good considering no back window and sopping wet carpet. Its mostly clean with little rust with the exception of 2 holes.

I started taking out the stuff I don't need, such as the e-brake lever, the unused plugs and cables on the shifter (this used to be a stick shift rig), I will be taking out the clutch cylinder, lines, etc.  and anything else i have yet to come across.

I tightened up the front end, but am going to replace the ubolts, as they have 3 different size nuts on them.  I took it for a short drive, and I think I should add a panhard bar because the suspension flexes quite a bit before the wheels actually turn. Anyone who has done this please send me a PM.

I started researching the front axle, and am convinced it is a Toyota axle, not a CJ axle.  it is closed knuckle, and the front cover does not look like a Dana axle to me.  I haven't even looked at the rear axle.  

More pics to come later!  I am trying to get this out of the garage by New Years Day....at least for a little while.

 

[ProGrade]

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[doughchvy1]

Prograde, i know they guy that put the trans in this rig not sure if he did the axles or not i will try to get ahold of him and see what info he has

[chico]

Sweet rig you'll be happy with it once you work out the bugs
trackers are like sammies they'll go just about anywhere  good luck wit it 

[D60KING]

 Cool Little Rig !! Very nice start. Good luck with it !!   

[Blazin40s]

Aww, now u can't be in the fullsize club! j/k.  Sweet little rig man.  I like it!

[ProGrade]

Prograde, i know they guy that put the trans in this rig not sure if he did the axles or not i will try to get ahold of him and see what info he has

[ProGrade]

So it looks like I was wrong, this has dualmatic hubs on it, which it seems are common on jeep CJ2, CJ3, and CJ5 axles. I tore the lockout apart, cleaned it up and regreased it now it works very well drove it again and it's still really squirrelly. I also did a couple other minor things.

[betterbeaters]

Aww, now u can't be in the fullsize club! j/k.  Sweet little rig man.

x2

[ProGrade]

Well I'm thinking about naming it "Tinker Toy"  The name is inspired by the fact that I tinker with it, and haven't ran it further than a few hundred feet from my house yet, and the steering, which was engineered like the tinker toy projects we built as kids.

I planned on pretty much just running this rig as it was, but I am finding myself tinkering more. 

I did the work on the hubs and the fan switch, then moved it outside the following evening for 2-4 hours to clean the garage, It was about 15 degrees out.  It hasn't started since.  I have verified fuel, and spark but no run, it fires but wont take off.  It flooded itself too.  I'm going to drain the tank and change the fuel filter, put in fresh gas and then try again. 

I got a 2" hitch out of an 88-98 chevy for a pull point.  Getting one more hitch, and then I will be modifying those accordingly.

I think I will try and change the steering gearbox angle as the first attempt to fix the steering.

[four_by_ken]

I was going to start with replacing the rod ends.  Did you look at them to make sure they were tight?

[spr_chicken]

post a few pics of the steering set-up.

[ProGrade]

I was going to start with replacing the rod ends.  Did you look at them to make sure they were tight?

I tightened everything up, they were all loose, as were the u bolts. the steering shaft has two couplers in it that both angle causing the shaft to bind and pop a bit. The suspension shifts when first turning the wheel making me think I need a panhard bar or something similar.  I think if I change the gearbox angle I can eliminate one of the couplers

[four_by_ken]

With a leaf sprung suspension you shouldn't need a panhard.

[ProGrade]

With a leaf sprung suspension you shouldn't need a panhard.

I know, i'm thinking if I replace the ubolts and get everything tighter, and play with the binding in the steering shaft I might be able to get it to simmer down.  Plus I'm going to mount shocks up somehow (i haven't figured that out yet). 

[Newbie]

nice Rig! good luck buddy!

[ProGrade]

Well I got it running tonight! I think the Coolant temp sensor is going bad,  its having a tendancy to flood when its cold. I took pictures of the steering, but haven't had a chance to sync my phone so I'll post more  soon.  

Here's the tinkertoy logo

[doughchvy1]

check the ignition coils on it. the coil and wire is 1 piece and are known to go weak.

[ProGrade]

check the ignition coils on it. the coil and wire is 1 piece and are known to go weak.

spark is blue and consistent.

[doughchvy1]

just wanted to make sure i know he need to replace the coil before he got rid of it just didnt know if he actually did..