BajaNomad

1996 Geo Tracker 2wd in sand?

Donjulio - 6-20-2010 at 08:42 AM

Have a chance to buy a great looking 96 Tracker today. Only 56K original miles and only $1400. My question is how does the 2WD do in the sand here? Anyone own one that has gotten stuck a lot? Thanks

[Edited on 6-20-2010 by Donjulio]

BajaWarrior - 6-20-2010 at 08:45 AM

Sounds like a great deal but unless you are very aired down and not going uphill on the beach it just wont do it. The sand closer to Punta Estrella is very soft and it's a workout for our Toyota 4x4's.

Bob and Susan - 6-20-2010 at 09:00 AM

don't even hesitate...buy it

our suzuki is the BEST $1400 ever spent

suesy.jpg - 27kB

David K - 6-20-2010 at 09:45 AM

2WD??? :?: I can't see how they would call it a GEO TRACKER if it didn't have 4WD.

The sand near San Felipe will be tough without letting most of the air out of your tires (to 10 psi) AND using 4WD.

If it only has 2WD, then try to only stop on wet sand (low tide driving only)... face level or downhill, so when you want to go, gravity won't work agianst you... It can be down, just let more air out.

TMW - 6-20-2010 at 09:54 AM

Tunaeaters dad has a 4x4 Suzuki but he usually doesn't use 4x4. At one of the 250 races he went 10 miles up Matomi wash and back in 2 wheel drive only. I don't know for sure but I don't think he was running low air either.

Bob and Susan - 6-20-2010 at 09:59 AM

i actually had to fix mine yesterday...

i scrapped the shells on the beach and wore a hole in the tailpipe...

cost 50 pesos to fix
thats $4.00 usa

Ken Cooke - 6-20-2010 at 11:05 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Donjulio
Have a chance to buy a great looking 96 Tracker today. Only 56K original miles and only $1400. My question is how does the 2WD do in the sand here? Anyone own one that has gotten stuck a lot? Thanks

[Edited on 6-20-2010 by Donjulio]


Do you get to test drive it on the sand? You won't really know until you try it out.

Donjulio - 6-20-2010 at 07:32 PM

Wow - car was in great shape. Ran fantastic. So yes, had to buy it.

rhintransit - 6-21-2010 at 07:05 AM

my 1996 Geo is a 4x4 but I think I've had it in 4wd maybe 5 times in the past four years. it's geared so low that I just don't need to go there. ENJOY!

Samurai v. Tracker 2wd ?

MrBillM - 6-21-2010 at 09:26 AM

I frequently have driven both of my current 4wd Samurais in 2wd on the beach through fairly soft sand with no problem at all running virtually stock tires albeit at around 12-15 psi. Making a point of not STOPPING in a soft spot, I can't say for sure what the result would be.

However, a Samurai is not a Tracker which IS a heavier vehicle. Tires are important at the margins. When I bought my first ever 4wd (FJ55 Toyota Land Cruiser Wagon) with stock tires, I found out on my first Beach Trip that it would bury in the sand quite well on that narrow rubber.

Testing is the only way to know. It IS a great deal, nonetheless.

Iflyfish - 6-21-2010 at 09:31 AM

I own a 1996 2wd Chevy Tracker and love it! Bullit proof. Got it for a toad for our RV. Never used it like that, the hitch cost more than the car.

Iflyfish

jureal - 6-21-2010 at 10:23 AM

A limited slip or locking differential makes all the diff in the world. That 4x4 in 2wd mode probably has it and is all that is needed.

Limited-Slipping

MrBillM - 6-21-2010 at 02:11 PM

One of my Samurais has an Auto-Locking Rear Diff which DOES make a Big difference in 2wd Loose sand, although it's a bit disconcerting in a turn on pavement when you forget about it.