Built Off-Road Geo Tracker Makes for One Fun Afternoon

What might be the most expensive Geo Tracker build ever actually turns out to be a pretty capable off-road rig.

By now, you’re probably well aware of hardcore Chevy fan Cleetus McFarland and his many drag racing antics. The owner/driver of the world’s quickest stick-shift Corvette spends most of his time wrenching on and driving various LS-powered vehicles down the track. Or just burning the tires off of them in the name of freedom. So we were somewhat surprised to see that his latest vehicle purchase wasn’t a Corvette, nor something with legendary LS power. It was, oddly enough, a Geo Tracker.

Yes, the little SUV built by a GM brand that once sold a pretty incredible amount of vehicles. The fuel-sipping Tracker and Metro chiefly among them. But once gas prices plummeted and people started scooping up big trucks and SUVs again, Geo kind of faded into the sunset. Today, you rarely see these things on the road. But McFarland managed to find not just any old regular Tracker, but one that’s been treated to a pretty extensive off-road build.

“Whoever had this put some freakin’ money into it,” McFarland points out. “Look at this – hard top, snorkel. He bought wheels, tires, did a body lift and suspension lift. Steel bumpers, winch. And look at these control arms!”

Even more amazing, the tiny original Geo Tracker engine has been treated to an aftermarket cam. But even that can’t give it what you’d call adequate power by today’s standards.

To fully test out the capabilities of this built Geo Tracker, the crew takes it down into a drainage area near the shop. Which, hilariously enough, requires sliding down a concrete barrier on the frame rails. But the little Geo makes it down without tearing things up and enjoys a little muddy jaunt.

Getting out, of course, requires a set of ramps and a prayer. But the little ‘ute proves to be more capable than McFarland and his crew could have ever expected. And in our book, that makes it the coolest Geo Tracker we’ve ever seen!

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Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.