Just bought this, now what?

Ok, next question - how do I determine what engine this has, and whether I need to worry about changing a timing belt?

From my best Google-foo and reading the owners manual, I think all '99 US Vitara received the 2.0 DOHC, which I think has a timing chain. Does that sound correct???

Pete, get cozy with some of the Suzuki forums.

http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-sidekick-escudo-vitara-geo-tracker/34687-all-tracker-vitara-2-0l-engines.html

This one's specifically for off-roaders.

http://www.zukiworld.com/forum/

In reply to 914Driver:

That link on the Suzuki forums was one that left me even more confused! But I think I figured it out by using the Napa website. According to their vin decoder, my '99 Vitara is a 2.0L and has a timing chain. Not saying they're 100% correct, but I figure they're 90%+.

Just got back from a ~65-mile round-trip maiden voyage to band practice. As I was leaving town, it crossed my mind that this might be the first time it's reached 55mph in 1-years. I've pretty much confirmed that to be true now. No problems to report, the brakes seemed to be dragging a bit on the way there, but they were much better on the way home.

My '95 is all stock and unstoppable in the snow. Cheap set of Winterforce tires and it will go anywhere.

I have an aftermarket hard top, which really helps keep the heat in. We picked it up from a salvage yard we found through car-part.com. It took a day trip to drive to middle of nowhere WI to get it, but for a $500 hard top it was worth the drive.

In reply to petegossett:

It has a chain. Also check out zuharrie website good tech. Another vote for low range off-road

Toyman01 wrote: In all honesty, I'm been looking for a 4 door one to leave mostly stock. A decent set of tires, a winch and some brains will get you most places you need to go. blockquote

>

Look what I found, and just might be picking up tomorrow.

No super cool flames and needs a head gasket at minimum. The price is right though.

Nice!

My in-laws have a tin-top 4-door Tracker the same vintage as mine. It sat unused all winter because they couldn't figure out that the key-fob clickers in the glove box were for an aftermarket alarm.

I'd tried to buy it from them, but because they paid $5k for it 2 years ago they wouldn't even come down to book value.

Finally got a bit of garage time with it last night. Got the top replaced in about 2-hours, it went super easy. I also checked front & rear diff fluids and was glad to discover that despite the wet rear diff housing, fluid began dribbling out the fill hole so no worries there!

Next question - I'd planned on refilling both diffs based on the fact it has 91kmi and a completely unknown service history, but the fluid in both diffs was clear and smelled like new fluid. Should I go ahead and refill them anyway out of principle or leave it be since it seems ok?

I don't change mine unless the fluid is black or I am working on the axle.

In reply to Toyman01:

Thanks, that was my gut feeling too.

Next question: Trans fluid/filter - to change or not?

It's not the worst looking fluid I've seen, but certainly not new. I do notice it lurching when it shifts up into 2nd, even in low speed/low load situations. It's even worse if I try to accelerate quickly and/or don't drive smoothly.

Let sleeping dogs lie, or flush/fill/filter before bad things happen?

Changing the fluid on a automatic trans won't hurt it unless it's already dead.

Drain and fill with new filter. I never recommend a flush on anything over 5 years old or 50k.

Ok thanks, that'll be next on the list!