Suzuki, I mean Geo, I mean Chevy ....
It all gets a little confusing doesn't it? Same vehicle called by many names. Esentially though it is a Suzuki based SUV and most parts are interchangeable. In Japan it was known as a Suzuki Escudo. First appearing here in 1989 as a Suzuki Sidekick or a Geo Tracker as marketed by Chevrolet. Many of these trucks were built in Canada through CAMI Automotive (GM+Suzuki). It sold in the South Pacific and Canada as an Asuna Sunrunner. Pontiac also offered it as a Sunrunner while GMC sold it as a Tracker. In Europe and Oceania it was called a Vitara. In its first generation ('89-98) it has worn badges from Suzuki, Geo, Chevy, GMC, Pontiac and Asuna. In fact the 1st generation style vehicle is now produced by a company called Santana Motor and is sold as the 300 (SWB) and the 350 (LWB).
By 1998 the Geo, Asuna, Pontiac and GMC brands no longer were worn. It was redesigned and sold as a Chevy Tracker, Suzuki Vitara and Grand Vitara in North America. This second generation ('98-04) was slightly larger and more powerfull with additional creature comforts. It still was called Escudo in Japan and was known to the rest of the world as a Vitara or Grand Vitara. The former being a SWB hardtop or convertable 3 door model and the latter being a LWB 5 door.
In 2005 Chevy dropped the Tracker from it's lineup in favor of a vehicle they call the Equinox. Which in our opinion is just another car based urban platform with no real off-road capabilities. Suzuki continues to make Grand Vitara but the SWB Vitara is History. Seems they went the other direction instead with a Grand Vitara XL7. This large crossover vehicle is far and removed from what compact SUVs are all about.
What makes them so tough?
It's all in the design. These little SUVs are built with a boxed ladder style frame that is seperate from the body. Same type of construction a pick-up truck uses. The frame is suspended by coil springs front and rear. Damping is controled by a modified strut system in front and shock absorbers in the rear. The rear axle is a straight axle with a removable third member. The front end is an Independent Front Suspension (IFS) again utilyzing a removable 3rd member. This makes gear changes or adding a locking differential an easier task.
Unlike most other small SUVs and Crossovers these 4wd Suzuki based models are true 4wd vehicles. They are equipped with a 2 speed, 3 mode transfer case for user choice of 2wd, 4wd or 4wd low-range. Very important feature for off-road wheeling. If you happen to have a 2wd model and wish to convert to 4wd it is easier than you think. For the most part it is just a matter of swapping in the 4wd drivetrain from a "donar" vehicle (salvage). See our write up on this in the DIY section. Another method to obtain 4wd or to convert your present 4wd to the advantages of a Solid Front Axle (SFA also called a Straight or Live Axle) is by doing a Straight Axle Swap (SAS). We offer a few kits to assist you in this or you can schedule an appointment with a BMS Garage and we can do the installation for you.
A few different powerplants have been used through the years ranging from a 1300cc L4 to a 2700cc V6. A few countries were even lucky enough to get a 2000cc turbo diesel. A diesel offers greater torque for off-road wheeling and are less affected by steep grades on the highway. What we like best about diesels is you can run them on BioDiesel and even vegatable oils. No pollution means minimal impact on the environment. If you would like the advantages of a diesel in your rig we offer some kits that will let you swap in a reliable 4 cylinder VW deisel engine. Again if you are not the DIY type you can arrange to have a BMS Garage do the swap for you.
These little trucks have been outfitted with 3 different transmissions. A 5 speed manual, 3 speed automatic (3L30, TH180) or a 4 speed automatic (03-72LE). Most off-roaders prefer the manual but more and more are using the 3 speed auto now. They like the advantage of keeping both hands on the wheel in technical sections and the torque multiplication the auto provides. All three trannsmissions seem to be reliable and strong enough for all but the most extreme uses.
Specifications
Coming Soon
