Two More Trackers!

Bouncing around the net I found a good deal on a package deal for two 2 door TinTop Trackers.  Both are 4x4 and 5 speed sticks.

I really liked the white 1994, but it doesn't run.

The black 1993 runs, but poorly.

Both have over 300,000 miles.

I should be able to fix both and sell one to cover most of the costs.

Now I currently have 8 TracKicks.  While I believe you can never have enough of them, my neighbors are beginning to wonder about me.

  

But, I can not work on any of these yet.  I have made a deal to sell one of my three motohomes.

So my next project is to empty that, and get it running.

I might take pictures of the last bit as the first isn't that interesting.

1998 Tracker - bumper and grille.

I went ahead and installed the original bumper and grille for now.  I might swap them out later, but I need to get on to other projects right now.

I think I'll get some insurance and a temp tag to drive it for now.  Once I am sure of it, I'll put it up for sale. 

I have several more new projects in the works.  Like the two 2 door TinTop Trackers (one white, one black) in this picture.

Bathroom

While it was done in my house, i didn't do that much (any) of the work.

I had hoped to move out of the house and THEN remodel and sell the house without ever living in the house.

But the hall way bathroom started falling apart and there still are not openings where I wish to transfer to.

My neighbor is a contractor who does lots of bathrooms.  He told me business was slow so I put him to work.

I forgot to take a before picture but it was bad.  There was lots of water damage but no mold/mildew.

  Most of the floor needed replaced.  Some structure under the floor needed added to ensure the new floor was strong enough.

The following pictures are two weeks (and lots of $$$$) later.

The ceiling vent fan also has a light and a heater.  After installing it, Jose ordered one for his bathroom.  I'll be getting another for the other bathroom and we just had a visitor use the bathroom and he is ordering one also!
 

Stuff I found.

We still have a cabinet and some towel racks to install.  But it is already much better than before.

I'd estimate the resell value of the house just went up over $10k.

Dating Site Project

As I have became single, I have found out I do not like being single.

But the correct woman for me is very special, to be able to put up with some of my odd ways.  I expect her to be currently living in another country, but could be wrong. 

As a "project" I have signed up for a bunch of dating sites to cast a very wide net..  As I can not pay for each and every site, and then weed through the replies for the few that were truly interested, read my profile and would put up with what I wrote about myself there, I just mentioned this blog.

This seems to get by the screeners for the dating sites and should screen out anyone not really reading the profile and still being interested.

So, if you happen to be one of the ladies that have read and understand, please make a comment with some contact information.  We'll then see how compatible we are.

Thank you,  Michael

New top!

I picked up a Rampage top on the net.

It didn't take much to swap them out.

I like the white on white look.  It'll even be better after a move to Arizona... someday.

 
I drove it to get gas.

Drives nice and peppy with the stick.  I haven't owned a stick in 30 years!

Stock white paint comes off in places with a pressure washer.

Not sure If I'll go with a 4 door Sidekick bumper or not.  If I use the Tracker bumper, I'll need to trim the Sidekick grille.  I am fairly sure I will NOT use the Tracker Grille.  One of my 2 door grilles has a broken "ear" anyway....

Hmmm... 

I still need to swap the windshield with the parts Kick.

The Tracker now runs like a top!

I have been working on the Tracker while it was still on the trailer.  I just did not have room to for both it and the trailer.  The flatbed is a little better than jacking on gravel.

The motor was now running but very rough.  It would not idle enough to start it and get out to check the motor.  I figured old gas and drained the tank and replaced the filter.  While I had it jacked up, I swapped out the wheels/tires with the set that came with the '94 parts Kick.  Both being two wheel drives, the different tire sizes are OK and gives a nice "rake" look you should not have with a 4x4.  Still on the bad gas theory, I also swapped out the fuel injectors with some I had on hand from a JDM motor.  While I was at it I replaced the valve cover gasket and adjusted the valves.

Still ran like crap even with new gas.

While it was on jack stands with the tires removed, I swapped out the fender with one I had laying around.  I also cleaned, treated and painted the damaged and rusted leading edge of the door.  

My clip on for the remote starter does not fit well on the lug on the starter, so I made an extension for it.  This keeps the normal system connected but provides a location to quickly attach the remote start button.  (Just make sure it is not is gear!)

After being able to start it while being at the engine bay, I was able to do the normal checks you do on a poorly running motor.  I found the "base" timing set to about 80 degrees advance! (Spec is 5.)

The distributor was all the way to one end of the slot. I had to turn it all the way the other way, remove the bolt and keep turning... this next picture shows the location when the timing was correct.

After I removed the distributor and repositioned the rotor to place the distributor bolt centered in the slot with the proper timing.

The Tracker now runs like a top!  Time to take it off the trailer and test drive it!

The motorhome handles this load much better than the Boo!

After the test drive around the block.  Being a smaller 2 door, with not much interior (or front bumper) and the stick shift, it seems very peppy compared to the 4 door autos I have been driving. 

What do you think of the "raked" look?

Next is to replace the top!