The Sunrunner saga

[sunrunner_pei]

Since I got too far off-topic in another thread, I though I'd continue this here.

Here was my 1993 Asuna Sunrunner.
http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/albums/1993%20Asuna%20Sunrunner/good1.jpg

I owned it for a couple years, but traded it shortly after I did this to it after spinning out on black ice.
http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/albums/1993%20Asuna%20Sunrunner/updown2.jpg

I fixed it after the rollover, but it just wasn't the same to me. I prefer to remember it before the rollover.

Here's me taking it off-road in New Brunswick
http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/albums/1993%20Asuna%20Sunrunner/offroad2.jpg

One of my favorite shots. It was pretty capable off road, even when stock.
http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/albums/1993%20Asuna%20Sunrunner/shhill.jpg

Mods I had done included 215/75R15 Goodyear Wrangler GS-A tires, 15x7" aluminum rims, removable hard top w/ 5% tinted glass, Kenwood CD stereo, 4" components, 100Wx2 amp, a 10" sub in a bandpass box, and a CB radio.

I had big plans for it, which included a small suspension lift (Either Old Man Emu or Pro-Comp), 235/75R15 BFG All-Terrain TAs, an ARB air locker in the rear, 4:1 t-case gears, and a winch. The rollover ended that, as I didn't have collision insurance and had to pay the repairs ouf of my own pocket. I traded her in on the '99 Grand Am a few months after I got it back from the body shop.

More pics are at http://www.gaownersclub.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=13

[ga5speed02]

thoses pics are awesome :D

[JoeyK]

Man, I really like that Sunrunner Shawn!
- You ever think of getting another one? The mods you spoke of that you never got to do, those are pretty much what I have in mind myself.:) Possibly a Toyota rear end also.
I had a Tracker at one time, I put a 3" body lift on it, 8" rims all the way around with some pretty agressive tires (Can't remember what they were anymore, been too long) and locking diff's & I gotta tell ya, she'd go threw a muddy field , sunk in so far that the axles were starting to drag. I just kept it locked down in low range with the rpm's up & she'd keep going!
Mine was a black '96 with a black soft top. I debadged it, hated the graphics they came with.:)

[sunrunner_pei]

Thanks Joey. I had a lot of fun with it. I bought it in the summer of 1997, traded it in the summer of 1999. The rollover happened November 13, 1998.

The factory soft top was in perfect condition, even the windows were still nice and clear. The rollover wasn't too bad, but it twisted the body. Rolling it back over dented the entire driver's side and broke off the mirror. The hard top survived, and I drove it back home. My only injuries from the accident were a scratch/bruise on my knee which punche a hole in the centre console near the shifter, and a cut on my shin from crawling out the window, which cracked a vent visor. My pride was my biggest injury.

They were very capable off road, and with a few mods there are damn near unstopable. Their narrow track and short wheelbase were a big advantage, especially in the brush.

Do you have any pics of your old Tracker? I used to run a website called Shawn's Sunrunner Site, and was a member of the Sidekicks & Trackers club on Yahoo. I also bought a 1986 Samurai JX as a project vehicle, but the rollover ended that too.

That was an expensive morning!!!

[Gimli]

What a stupid-looking SUV! :lol:

[Y2KGAGT]

Look how young you look in those pics! Don't get me wrong, you still look young but DAMN you were just a kiddie!

[levey]

Wow. I always wondered where the name "sunrunner" came from.
I figured it had something to do with a Sunfire. :idunno:
I guess I never pictured you in one of those things. :lol:

[JoeyK]

Originally posted by Y2KGAGT
Look how young you look in those pics! Don't get me wrong, you still look young but DAMN you were just a kiddie!

Ya, & why is it almost every pic of you that I've ever seen you have that "I just slammed a bottle of rum & I'm a reeeeealy happy boy!" grin on your face!?! :lol: Look at pic#4 - there it is; classic Shawn!:lol:

[Big Joe]

what were u like my age in dem shots?

[ga5speed02]

shawn everytime i glance at that avatar i think its freggin knight rider. like that scene in the beging when he is speeding tward the camrea. at a glance thats what i see :lol: sorry for the OT

[XoticGA]

Originally posted by Y2KGAGT
Look how young you look in those pics! Don't get me wrong, you still look young but DAMN you were just a kiddie!

That was my first thought too :lol: :D

[Colin]

Didn't someone use that vehicle pic on a website with out your permission ? I remember vaguely something to that effect back then .

[Chain]

Was a sharp lookin little jeep. I bet that roll freaked you out.

[matts]

wrong fuzzy wuzzy....looks more like the canadian equivilant to a suzuki sidekick or geo tracker

[JoeyK]

Originally posted by matts
wrong fuzzy wuzzy....looks more like the canadian equivilant to a suzuki sidekick or geo tracker


*ding ding ding - YES! we have a WINNER!:lol:

Survey says; yes, you are correct:D

Thanks for playing Mr Obvious!


- I'm just poking a little light hearted fun at ya, not meant to be offensive-:)

[sunrunner_pei]

hahaha Thanks guys. I was about 20 in those pics. Joey, I have no idea what you're talking aboot. :lol:

I got into this in the other thread, but the Asuna Sunrunner was a rebadged Geo Tracker sold through Pontiac dealerships in Canada. They changed the name to Pontiac Sunrunner in 1994. Soon after they discontinued the name completely.

Yeah, the roll freaked me out pretty bad. I lost confidence in the vehicle, and just didnt' feel safe driving it in the winter anymore. The short wheelbase made it prone to spinning out. Once the rear end got loose, it usually came all the way around. Countersteering didn't seem to help. Soon after getting it back on the road I spun out on the highway again, but managed to keep it on the road. The next day I started looking for a car.

I did put a lot of miles on it, and it really was fun to own. It wasn't the greatest highway runner though. At 120 KM/H in 5th, it turned 4000 RPM. Top speed (Drag limited) was not much more then 130 KM/H. That, couple with no A/C, made for an interesting drive when my and my good friend took it down to Florida in August of 1998. :lol:

[matts]

he drove from canada.........to florida............in that??? wow, he's more determined than i would have been lol

[sunrunner_pei]

Sure did. Folded the rear seats and stuffed the back to the roof with camping gear. :lol:

[99GrandAMSE]

.... JEEP WANNABE :lol:

[sunrunner_pei]

:slap:

[99GrandAMSE]

:lol:

[sunrunner_pei]

:bump:

Just moved this to non-GA rides to avoid the off-topic prune cycle.

[99GrandAMSE]

:shake:

:lol:

[Pete Ray]

Originally posted by JoeyK
Ya, & why is it almost every pic of you that I've ever seen you have that "I just slammed a bottle of rum & I'm a reeeeealy happy boy!" grin on your face!?! :lol: Look at pic#4 - there it is; classic Shawn!:lol:

He might be reading back one of the jokes he posted..............:}
Has the same effect on me...............opps banned again!

[bballr4567]

Interesting if you ask me. Those little trackers can be a ton of fun but like you said whenever the weather goes a little bit bad you better get a real truck or car. Kinda scary crash results too if you are in a front end crash.

Cool little "jeeps" though.