John95683
Sacramento
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Joined: 02/13/2007
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I'm thinking about a mid 1990s Tracker or a Sidekick as a toad. Does it need to be a 5 speed with manual hubs, or are automatics and/or auto hubs OK to tow 4 down? Is there a particular year that is better than others? All advise will be appreciated. Thanks.
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rv2go
Somewhere between Knoxville, TN and the coast.
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Joined: 12/26/2000
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I'm not sure what year they went to "auto" hubs, but in order to tow my 1995 Geo Tracker the hubs have to be in the "unlocked" position.
Winnebago Journey
TN Lic. RV 2 GO
1995 2dr. Hard Top Geo Tracker
www.rv2go.us
I'm here #4335
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Sixgun
Southeast, AL
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Joined: 01/24/2007
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I tow a 1994 Geo Tracker 4 wheel drive, manual 5 speed with auto hubs, it has about 95,000 miles on and many of them are towed miles. Never had a problem with it.
Just put the aux trans in neutral, main trans in second and key to aux. and go.
I tow it with a 1996, 35 foot Southwind with a Ford 460. You would not know it was behind you if you could not see it in the camera.
Good tow vehicle.
Sixgun
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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Joined: 01/11/2005
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My 96 Tracker came with auto trans and automatic hubs. The owners manual said I had to change to manual hubs in order to tow it 4 down. I bought the hubs from JC witney for under $100. If you use the automatic hubs the front driveshafts can turn while towing. I didn't want any extra drag on the MH as the MPG isn't all that great and I wanted to maximize the economy. When shopping it was important to me to get a fuel injected Tracker. The 96 is fuel injected. I bought it with 101,000 miles on it and I have 123,000 on it now and it is still running great.
Ernie Fortier
99 Bounder 34V
2 honda 2K paralled (for economy)
5.5 Onan onboard
96 Geo Tracker 4x4 Auto. convertable
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rockhillmanor
On the Road
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Joined: 12/06/2003
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ernestfortier wrote:My 96 Tracker came with auto trans and automatic hubs. The owners manual said I had to change to manual hubs in order to tow it 4 down. I bought the hubs from JC witney for under $100. If you use the automatic hubs the front driveshafts can turn while towing. I didn't want any extra drag on the MH as the MPG isn't all that great and I wanted to maximize the economy. When shopping it was important to me to get a fuel injected Tracker. The 96 is fuel injected. I bought it with 101,000 miles on it and I have 123,000 on it now and it is still running great.
I don't have the manual for my Tracker.(AND can not find one on line or thru Chevy)
(1). Can you describe the 'visual difference' between the auto hubs and manual hubs for me? At 2,100 lbs my MH shouldn't be feeling the
toad behind me and I wonder if I need to change the hubs.
Online instructions where to put 4x4 in neutral, auto in park and key to access. The front wheels turn so does that mean I have the right hubs or does changing them simply allow for less drag?
(2). And what fuse to pull to stop the odometer from working?
TKS!
31 ft Four Winds
Chevy Tracker 4x4 Blue Ox
We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned,
so as to have the life that is waiting for us.
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robatthelake
Vancouver Island
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Joined: 08/24/2003
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Previous Poster wrote!
(1). Can you describe the 'visual difference' between the auto hubs and manual hubs for me? At 2,100 lbs my MH shouldn't be feeling the
toad behind me and I wonder if I need to change the hubs.
Online instructions where to put 4x4 in neutral, auto in park and key to access. The front wheels turn so does that mean I have the right hubs or does changing them simply allow for less drag?
(2). And what fuse to pull to stop the odometer from working?
Visually the Manual Hubs have Turnable Switches on the Hubs to engage/disengage the Hubs. The Automatic hubs Don't! To disengage the Automatic Hubs just drive the Car a short distance in High 2 WD, They will release.
There is NO Fuse! The Odometer will count up, which isn't that big a deal in My Opinion! After all a Mid 90's Tracker is worth whatever You can get and Mileage won't make much difference!
Rob & Jean 90 Southwind John Deere/Oshkosh/Freightliner Class A Ford 460/ Toad 92 Tracker 2 wd 5sp Convert Still running Great!
" Everything in it"Still" Works"
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ernestfortier
Palmdale, Calif.
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Robaththelake is right on both counts. I can't find anything to stop the odometet from counting. And it's obvious if you have the manual hubs. The hub s are rfeal easy to change out. JC Whitney even gives you the allen wrenches to do the job. I have never trusted te automatic hubs to either engage or disengage properly. A big plus is that if you leave the key in the ignition in the off position the steering wheel will still turn. the steering wheel locks only when the key is removed.
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Queens Carriage
tx
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Joined: 08/19/2007
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I bought my hubs from auto zone for a 100 no shiping
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