The Bandit

[RalphDogg]

I picked up this little ditty last winter from the auto auction. It’s a 2000 Chevy Tracker that looks like it was rolled on its side. It’s “totaled” so I’ll be rebuilding it this winter in hopes to tow it behind my motor home for the next decade or so. It will have to go threw a Pa enhanced inspection after I fix it up and the title will be issued to me from the state. I was really looking for a specific Tracker with the V6, but this was priced right. Damn it feels nice to have another Tracker project in the garage...my Yoga!

The build plans....simple...simple
front and rear bumpers
winch
skid plates
Boat side rocker guards
tranny cooler
manual hubs
tow bar points,break away kit, and wiring for towing behind the motor home
32’s

I still have to tear into the motor and replace the timing chain. The motor has a bad tick from running on its side, from what I think the tensioner was starved for oil and loosened up. There are a few other dodads and body panels from the wreck I will have to address also.

[Powerguy37]

Looks familiar...

G8QQ0989.jpg

[Keith]

Even in its current “totaled” condition that looks nicer than 90% of the trackers on the road. Some days I wish I never sold my last one! What happened with the Tracker truck you were working on?

[joshs1ofakindxj]

What about just registering it in Vermont to avoid the PA enhanced inspection. No title needed.

[The_War_Wagon]

The Bandit

That is NOT, a '77 Trans-Am...

[RalphDogg]

The enhanced inspection isn’t a big deal. I take all my crap to JC Auto for inspections and he also does enhanced. It’s just more money. I think he charges $175

[DMG]

I just bought a slightly flooded RAV4 from copart. I am probably going to have Huffmans do the enhanced inspection


Edit: I made an appointment with Huffmans, they said the could do it that week so I dropped it off. They kept it for a few days and called me and told me the boss said it would have to wait until after they got all their own cars done and would be over a month.

**** Huffmans.

[JeepGeneral]

Love that you name every project

Long live the pope mobile!

[DMG]

Love that you name every project

Long live the pope mobile!

Could we get a list of all the project names?

[RalphDogg]

The Pope Mobile was great. It wasn’t the original wheeler but it was the fan favorite. I remember driving it to Paragon on the last inspection sticker with 32’s and stock gearing.

[ridgerunner97]

The Pope Mobile is still alive-ish. Was last seen by yours truly sitting in Adamsburg about 3yrs ago. Looked unchanged just sunken in the ground a bit. You should get it back to put in your yard.

[RalphDogg]

Waiting for engine parts and with the radiator out I made a front bumper. I picked up a Warn 6,000 hitch winch on marketplace a few months back for just this reason. It’s pretty small compared to an 8,000, but I’m happy it’s a Warn!
The bumper also has tow bar mounts for flat towing. It will get sand blasted and painted before final installation.

[RalphDogg]

I just squeezed a tranny cooler between the radiator and AC condenser. I’m thinking the automatic tranny will be hating the new big tires on the freeway.

[RalphDogg]

While laid off I have been picking at this between other stuff. I had most of the pieces laying around, it was just the time to paint and assemble puzzle pieces. It’s not done but I feel like the punch list is getting small!

the rear bumper turned really nice. And took less time than I thought to fabricate.





had to do a small amount of body work to make it look pretty.

[RalphDogg]

I wanted to get the bumpers and wheels sandblasted but that wasn’t going to happen , so I scuffed them and rattle canned them.

[RalphDogg]

I finally got the front end bolted back up! What a long process. It’s a mix between 1990-2001 tracker parts, 2” coil lift, Crown Vic struts, and Trail Gear limit straps. Anything Trail Gear is awesome!

[RalphDogg]

I modified the stock spare tire carrier to accommodate the 5” larger tire It moves the tire up and out.

[RalphDogg]

Since I’m running stock wheels I bought vehicle specific 1” wheel spacers.


I went with the Mastercraft MXT 31x10.5x15, and they are mounted on the stock 15x5.5” wheels. A larger tire would have been way more work on the Tracker and I wanted to keep it simple
and fun.

[RalphDogg]

sitting on all 4 tires Monday. What a morale boost! It’s a few weeks away from drivable

[hyperbuzzin]

Sweet!! Looks like it's ready to wheel!!

[DMG]

Looks great, Ralph! We should get a group together to hit Connellsville when it’s done.

[Rattrucker]

Really nice work I like the look.

[Bax]

not that you need another project but you should totally buy this.....
https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehi...x90-300-a.html

[JeepGeneral]

not that you need another project but you should totally buy this.....
https://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/vehi...x90-300-a.html