Well, we (wife and I) just bought a 2003 Rodeo (V6, 4X4) and managed to find one of the few available manual transmission models. It's going to be her daily driver but I intend to take it to Moab a couple of times each year. Nothing extreme, just off-highway on trails suitable for stock vehicles. We owned a '94 Rodeo for a few years and I'm a little surprised at how soft the suspension is on this new one. I don't intend to lift it but I would like to firm up the ride and get it under control. Would new shocks accomplish this and, if so, which ones do you recommend? Right now, the vehicle is stock although I did replace the tires with Bridgestone A/T Revos. Thanks for reading this and I appreciate whatever help you can offer.

does the rodeo bring the suspension control for soft and hard suspension options????

i don't know much about that system, but i think you may want to heard the others 2003 rodeo owners!!!! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Smile]" src="images/icons/smile.gif" />

Moose,

First off, welcome to the forum.

Did your Rodeo come with the Intelligent Suspension? I'm assuming that it didn't.

There are a variety of shock options out there. Ranchos, mainly used by the folks who intend to lift or who want infinite adjustability, are propably the most common. OME, Bilstein, Tokico, and Monroe are some of the other shock brands used by folks on the board. Check out the search feature up in the upper right corner of the page to see some of the opinions.

If you are partial to the MOab area, come visit us at Moab 'Zu Zoo happening in May. http:// www.zuzoo.org. There's lots posts here regarding the event. Come check out the rigs and, more importantly, come meet a really cool group of people who love their trucks and off-roading.

HTH,
dave

<small>[ April 28, 2003, 10:43 PM: Message edited by: Dave Chang ]</small>

Nope, no such thing on this vehicle. I think some prior year Rodeos had something called Intelligent Suspension or something like that but not on this model.

Dave,

My last post was a reply to jesuscanizo but I just now saw your reply. Before I spring for new shocks I just want to make sure that that is the right solution. Anyway, that is exactly the week I'm planning to be in Moab. I will keep an eye out for you guys. Thanks very much for your response.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by moose201:
<strong>Dave,

My last post was a reply to jesuscanizo but I just now saw your reply. Before I spring for new shocks I just want to make sure that that is the right solution. Anyway, that is exactly the week I'm planning to be in Moab. I will keep an eye out for you guys. Thanks very much for your response.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Moose,

Most of the folks should be out at Portal Campground.

I posted just as you were posting, so I didnt' see your response until you were done with it. The only other thing I can think of is poly swaybar bushings, and stiffer springs, but those really won't help as much as the shocks. It seems to be that the shocks are the first thing swapped on our vehicles (at least in my case it was- I stopped and ordered new shocks on the way home from the dealership).

later,
d

Moose,

It didn't take me much longer than Dave to order some new shocks for my `97 Rodeo (bought used at 60K-miles). --- The shocks on mine were likely pretty weak when it was new, but by the time I got it, they were just plain wimpy.

I opted for the Rancho 9000s, front and rear, and have loved them! --- As Dave said, it's the adjustability of the 9000s that make them so popular with the off-road crowd... And with the new 9000X model, you can choose from among NINE different stiffness settings, from Cadillac Deville/limousine-soft, to Conestoga Wagon/bone-jarringly harsh. --- On-road or off-road, a set of adjustable Ranchos will allow you pick the setting that's right for your own personal driving style, the load you're carrying, and/or the conditions and obstacles that you're facing.

If you're planning on wheeling it, even if only occasionally, you may want to have yourself a good look at these things. --- They were the very first modification that I did on mine, and I still believe them to be the best mod for the money, so far. (Well, either that, or my new Cooper STTs... but the shocks were a whole lot cheaper! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="images/icons/wink.gif" /> )

BTW, I generally run mine quite a bit more toward the Conestoga Wagon settings, irrespective of whether I'm on or off-road. --- The way I see it, whether I'm crawling over rocks, or apex hunting on Interstate off ramps... in a lifted SUV, that's fitted with over-sized mud tires... Hey, I need all of the added suspension stiffness I can get! <img border="0" alt="[Pirate]" title="" src="graemlins/bppirate.gif" />

[/Unsolicited & Uncompensated Product Testimonial]

HTH
Cheers!
Smiley <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

<small>[ April 29, 2003, 10:11 AM: Message edited by: early_cave_drawings ]</small>

Must have the Mike "Paisan" Bus suspension package. <img border="0" alt="[Barf]" title="" src="graemlins/barf.gif" /> for soft suspensions. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="images/icons/grin.gif" />

I bought my 2nd Gen Trooper with about 93k on it and the suspension was mushy. I am poor so I opted for the Rancho 5000's and for the stiffness. I was used to driving an autocross inspired S-10 with a VERY stiff ride so I might be biased but, I feel the stiffness is right on. Really made a difference in my body roll, so I don't become a NTSB statistic to make weenie trucks.

My personal experience:

1. OEM shocks s*cks
2. KYBs 'gas-adjust' shocks are great for
high-speed stability and for washboards
3. Ranchos 9000X are the best for cornering and
they are great overall.

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">Originally posted by moose201:
<strong>Well, we (wife and I) just bought a 2003 Rodeo (V6, 4X4) and managed to find one of the few available manual transmission models. It's going to be her daily driver but I intend to take it to Moab a couple of times each year. Nothing extreme, just off-highway on trails suitable for stock vehicles. We owned a '94 Rodeo for a few years and I'm a little surprised at how soft the suspension is on this new one. I don't intend to lift it but I would like to firm up the ride and get it under control. Would new shocks accomplish this and, if so, which ones do you recommend? Right now, the vehicle is stock although I did replace the tires with Bridgestone A/T Revos. Thanks for reading this and I appreciate whatever help you can offer.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Tahoma, Arial, Helv, Helvetica, Sans">