Hey everybody, case any of you didnt notice me gone, I've been at basic training for most of the summer. I got back last weekend, and it was pretty cool. All in all, it was good. Some of it I could do without, but hey, that's life...

Anyways, I got a new beater. Got a fair deal on it, but there's one pressing issue that's bugging me. I bought a `90 geo tracker for $600. 5 speed, convertable (hard top) I like it.... The 4X4 doesnt work though, which is a bummer because I wanna do a little offroading with it (or at least get through the wisconsin snow with this light go-cart)

It's manual locking hubs, and a manual shifter on the floor (2high, 4 high, 4 low) I cant get the 4x4 lever to move out of 2 high... The truck's kind of rusty, but... I wouldnt think that could rust, could it? I'll look at the linkage asap, but this is a pretty common rig, so if anyone's got experiance with this, could you help me out?

Thanks alot
~Nate

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95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Hey Nate, first off welcome back and thank you for your service.

I don't know much about the Geo/Suzuki 4x4 system but I do have a fair amount of experience with Ford and GM manual locking hubs so they should be similar. Just to rule it out, you're turning the hubs prior to trying to shift into 4H, correct? Hubs turn freely? Does the shifter lever move at all or does it seem bound up? If the body has a fair amount of rust there is certainly the possibility of the linkage binding up. Saturate everything with WD-40 (or your favorite penatrating lubricant) and let it sit. Also, try backing up a short distance prior to trying to engaging. Sometimes the manual systems can get bound up if the PO forced the transfer case to engage without turning the hubs first.

Let me know what you find on your linkage.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

Couple things that come to mind: If there is a misalignment of the transfer case relative to the linkage, the linkage can bind and cause the problem. Cause of misalignment could be bad motor/transmission/transfer case mounts, or even a slightly bent frame (Does the Tracker have a full frame or a front subframe?) A friend of mine once owned a new S-10 Blazer, hit a half-decent bump and then couldn't shift the transfer case. Cause? A bent frame. He's a pretty strong guy with a damn fine temper. I thought that he was going to tear apart the truck with his bare hands when he found out.

Problem 2 may be worn bushings in the transfer case linkage that may be binding it up.

I'm assuming that you are trying to engage the t-case while the truck is on an unpaved surface. If not, that could be the problem. I second Swampy's advice, particularly on the letting it sit part after dousing the parts with a penetrant. Give it time to work.

Any Suzuki Sidekick/Geo Tracker message boards out there?

Nate, I don't have anything to offer on your 4 x 4, but thanks for your service and I for one am proud of your decision!!

X2 and yes we did notice.

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"It's normal for these things to empty your wallet and break your heart in the process."
2012 SLK 350
1987 420 SEL

Thanks for the support... I was feeling pretty overwhelmed, but I got over that and got through it. Yeah it was tough, but, I'm ready for job training next summer. I'll go active after that.


I'm soaking everything in PB blaster, so we'll see what happens


~Nate

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

Here's a good place to get answers to Suzuki/Tracker questions:

http://www.suzuki-forums.com/suzuki-sidekick-escudo-vitara-geo-tracker/

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Thanks for the ideas.

It's full framed, a light truck ladder frame under it. Sure it rides like crap, but it's tough... The linkage wasnt the problem. my next plan is to change the oil in the T-case and see where that gets me. The suzuki forums suggest it's frozen from not being used, and that might help it...

Any more ideas are appreciated, I'll let you know what's going on with it when I change the oil.

~Nate

__________________
95 Honda Shadow ACE 1100.
1999 Plymouth Neon Expresso. 2.4 swap, 10.5 to 1 comp, big cams. Autocross time attack vehicle!
2012 Escape, 'hunter" (5 sp 4cyl)

I'd also try shifting while moving VERY VERY SLOWLY, Just barely rolling.
Takes the stress off the gears.

My old 4Runner wouldn't always allow the shift if it was stopped.

This was going into and out of 4X.

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KLK, MCSE

1990 500SL

I was always taught to respect my elders.
I don't have to respect too many people anymore.