for my daughter. It is a 2.2L four banger, auto trans, hardtop, A/C, 2WD. She has grown to love it, and to be honest I like it alot too. So much, in fact, that I am considering selling both my Jeep Wranger YJ's and buying me a 4WD Rodeo Sport. Does anyone here use one for hunting? This thing would need to be totally reliable, as I do go into some out of the way places. Was either engine available with 4WD? I prefer an auto trans. Looking for input on this please.

How does a 3.2L v6 putting out 205hp sound? And it comes with an auto too!

Ahh. My trials and tribulations?

I decided I wanted to finally get that Amigo/Sport I'd wanted for the last decade about two years ago. I went hunting, and had to decide between a used 98 softtop 5speed with 36K on the odometer, or a new leftover 02 hardtop auto with only 2k in dealer rep miles.

Both were 4WD, V6 3.2L, alloy wheels, yaddda yeaddda.

I opted for the 02, since it had longer warranty, all the creature comforts (factory alarm, power everything, etc) and less miles so I wouldn't be paranoid about how the motor was treated during break-in. (I have a firm belief break-in is really what determines how the motor will live out it's life; but that's me. Then again, my motor carefully broken in doesn't eat oil like most other Zu's at the same rate, I only lose about a HALF quart every three to four THOUSAND miles)

I digress.

Things to be conscious of;

For anyting other than street use, the V6 3.2L is really a must have. Even though it's a SWB, the sport is a heavy little truck. (slightly under 4k lbs; *corrected after I looked it up) I get a consistent 20-21 mpg, if I'm not romping on the pedal. (in your daugters case, better to under power the 2WD so that she doesn't speed demon herself into trouble; a SWB is as always prone to tipping at high speed in a corner)

Reliability; see comment about break in, but for the most part, the handful of MAJOR/Catastrophic Zu issues you see on this forum are rare; they are usually stress induced by the owner. (beat the snot of the truck while wheeling it across 3 foot boulders and 4 foot deep mud bogs) The LARGE majority of the rest that occur are preventable through normal maintenance.

Someone else had said it, and I can't agree more; these are not 'turn key and drive forever' vehicles. (like say, a Honda or Toyota) Maintenance at the required periodic intervals is VERY IMPORTANT to making sure things last a long time.

With that maintenance, I've heard, and seen Zu's break the 150k mile mark without a sweat.


Caveats:

If you plan on lifting or wheeling the truck, from Jan 2002 (just my luck) and on, the forward hubs on the 4WD model were changed to a new design, that removes any sort of locking hub mechanism.

In it's place, is a 'single hub' that is bound to the front half shaft (CV axle) directly via a large nut, much like AWD cars. This means that you can NEVER disengage the front CV's and prevent their rotation. (like you could if you had manual locking hubs installed)

When lifted, the higher angles of the CV joint stress the CV joint boot, and thus, you 'may' wear them out more if they're constantly rotating.

I say 'may' because some people do it (lift and let it rotate) anyhow and get a year or more out of the boots without any problems.

Also, although I have not experienced it, there was a supposed design flaw that's been discussed in the driveline, where a slip joint is not easily greaseable, and not on the list of items during normal maintenance. If allowed to degrease (through water and wear) the slip joint in the driveshaft causes a 'pop' noise on startup of motion. This was supposedly addressed in 04, but no one I know of has confirmed this; I believe I read that the usual solution is to have a driveshaft shop fab up a one piece unit to replace the factory two piece slipjointed version, thereby removing the slipjoint and the noise.

Lastly, I haven't experienced it yet personally, since mine is still relatively 'new', but eventually the alternator will fail. (or the owner will kill it because it's mounted so low in the engine bay that driving through 3 feet of water nukes it) It's an EXPENSIVE part, with no real alternative aftermarket units. I've heard of 400+ dollar replacement costs on that item ALONE. For that reason, I opted for a thousand dollar extended bumper to bumper warranty since I figured inside of 10 years, It'll go at least once, and I'll recoup most of my money right then and there.

Otherwise, all the normal car buying advice is status quo.

I will say that I've been on half a dozen auto enthusiast forums and of all of them, this one is far and above the best community I have found; the members genuinely care about each other, help each other out all the time, give each other fair pricing on all parts to each other back and forth CONSISTENTLY, and are the most reserved tongued group of fellows and gals I've seen when someone posts a request for searchable information. I think having a community like this goes a LONG way towards enjoying your car any time you have a curiousity or question about it.

Add to that my Sport has been an absolute joy to drive for the last 2 years, and it's no wonder I'm happy to write this VERY LONG 'smiley'ish length post for you. LMAO.


Anyhow, thats all I have to offer right now; if you have questions, feel free to fire away....

E.

You know, upon reflection that is probably a big reason I am looking for a relatively rare Trooper RS to wheel, when there are many other more readily available wheeling choices out there...the people. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

nice, these things are peppy little things, i smoke a lot of 4 bangers. With 32X11.50 mudders on, i can power brake and smoke the rear <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" />.



Its not the water that kills it, its the mud, sand, dirt that gets in there. I wheel, beat, race the hell out of my 93 rodeo (4 door, 1st gen amigo) and havent replaced the new one i bought when i first got the truck (replaced at 215k)




even though i do agree they are a little heavy (and strong) i dont think it is over 5k, my 93 rodeo ways 4900 lbs

Amigo (rodeo sports) are awsome little trucks. Put some more power under the hood and you will have a lot of fun.


the isuzu guys have lots of fun here

kevan <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" />

Not sure what crack I was smoking, but I looked it up, and curb weight is listed at just under 4k lbs for an 2002 Rodeo Sport V6 4WD Hardtop. I was probably remembering the '5' from the 'just under 5k for a 4 door model'. *shrug*

So, I corrected my comments about weight. Everything else is true though <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

E.

Some good crack, apparently. A 4-door Rodeo sport? <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/notooth.gif" alt="" /> (I know, it's a joke)

SWB <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

I'd say stick between 99 - 01 on your search, between goofy front axles and goofy front hub assemblies, those model years seem the easiest to work with.

SWB = Short Wheel Base

As opposed to LWB (long) used for four door or full'er' size SUV's like a Cherokee.

At 96'ish inches, it's a tad longer than the typical 90" or so Jeep. But still 'short' compared to a cherokee that sits at about 101" and the four door rodeo sitting at 106".

Hope that helps,

E.

I also have an 02 rodeo sport 3.2 v6 auto 4x4, I can highly recomend one I love the thing and use it alot for hunting, camping, fishing I pull my 16 1/2' boat all over the place with it. These things think they are a full size, full frame 4wheel discs. Seems to be able to always find traction somehow (Knock on wood)
Mine has the 10yr/120,000 warr so I dont worry much what I do to it.
Like has already been said follow maintence guidlines and you be fine
Only down fall, you wont find the aftermarket support like you would your jeeps but, what we do have is awesome!