I got an email from a kid who watched one of my YouTube videos today. It went like this (name removed, but you might see him around here):


So here was my response. I thought someone might get a kick out of it...

Your email inspired me to make a new page on my site:

http://www.planetbantz.com/4x4-resources/

But, I'm also bored at work so you're going to get it with both barrels. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

That's a quick overview of where to get more info if you're looking to mod an Isuzu. As for an exhaust, mine's pretty much stock these days. However, I did have to radically change the downpipe on the passenger side to fit around the front driveshaft. I had the work done at a local muffler shop for something like $80, and it's easily some of the slickest work on my rig at the moment. I wouldn't worry too much about headers as much as I'd worry about high-flow cats or mufflers. The only thing you won't want to do is actually create a freer-flowing system, as no backpressure=no torque (bad for offroad performance). High-flow intakes never hurt, but a K&N panel seems to be the easy way to decent performance for the $$$. A cone seems to suck up too much hot air to be of use. Then again, I'm doing all of this at 5,432 feet above sea level, so I tend to notice gains or losses a little more.

But here's the deal: I've never once worried about having too little power off road. Yeah, larger tires will slow you down a little, but so is a lift. Your truck is going to change drastically with a lift, and you're going to want to slow down a little because it'll handle differently. But when you take it off-road and lock in 4-low, you'll never notice the difference. And if you're thinking about spending lots of $$$ on engine upgrades, do this: spend it on low gears from TeraLow instead. That's an upgrade that I wish I had done almost right off the bat. Especially with a manual tranny - they're amazing. Simply amazing.

I've seen both kinds of lifts - body and suspension. The purest in me says "go with a suspension lift", but you might want to split the difference and do both. Meaning, a true 3" suspension lift is rare. If you crank down your torsion bars too tightly, you'll

a) shake your kidneys to death 'cause it'll ride like hell
b) you'll rip apart your CV boots.

So, you go for a mild lift (around 2"?) to get yourself a little more articulation while keeping the street-a-bility OK, then maybe add 1" or 2" pucks for a little more uptravel wheel clearance. One thing? Don't ever ask about rubbing and tires. It'll happen. It's always going to happen. Big deal - they're tires. They're meant to be abused if you're gonna wheel. Without doing anything to your rig, you can probably safely fit 32x10.50's (I hate Metric sizes.. never got the hang of 'em...). But at full steering wheel lock and if you stuff one of 'em over a bump, it'll rub. Learn to back off a little or identify what'll make things rub and you're fine. Also, if you hop on a board and ask "What's the largest size tire I can fit without rubbing?" you'll get the inevitable noob comments. In good fun, but you'll get 'em. ;-)

For lift ideas, give Matt Brown a call at Independent4x.com: 804-550-0480. He's got a lot of different options for you and your wallet. Maybe think about:

Front IFS Kit
http://www.independent4x.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=839915%7C1016330&PRID=1531017

Rear 2" Kit
http://www.independent4x.com/item.jhtml?UCIDs=839915%7C1016330&PRID=1531020

Unless, of course, you really want to wheel the living hell out of your truck. I mean, really wheel it. Like, break things and dent things and all that. In that case, don't spend a lot of time or money on keeping your IFS and see if you want a solid axle. It's worth it, but it's also an expensive worth it. The best resource you can have at your disposal is someone near you that also wheels. Get out, get on the trail, see what your rig can do RIGHT NOW before thinking about adding tons of money and time to it. The rig that pulled me off of that rock? Bone stock. Wheel with some people that are knowledgeable about doing things right and safely and you'll learn that you almost don't need much to really have a blast.

So, to sum it up for "How Mike would re-do it if he was handed a 1996 manual Rodeo and wasn't going to SAS it":

• I'd wheel it as is first. See what it can do. It'll go so many more places than you think. And even that is an understatement. Find some friends local to you, join some message boards, show up for meet-and-greets, get out on the trail. Now.
  
• Get a 2" suspension lift with (maybe) a 2" body lift. Maybe.
  
• Larger tires - like 32" or so. 33x10.50's might fit with the lift above.
  
• BODY PROTECTION. Get boulder/rocker bars. Get some made that are low-profile and strong. Get a good friend who's good at welding to do 'em, or sometimes local 4x4 shops will cut you a break on them. I never put any on until this year, and my body was SO screwed up...
  
• TeraLows. It'll make driving a manual off road so much more enjoyable. Like "superhuman" enjoyable.
  
• Spares and tools - spare tie rods, valve stems, good tow straps with NO metal hooks on the ends (they'll kill you if they snap), a Hi-Lift jack and knowledge of how to use it, stuff like that. Look over what other people carry. You don't want to be that guy that snaps a tie rod and strands yourself when in reality it's a VERY easy and quick fix.
  
• CO2 tank with regulator. Why? This allows you to air down whenever you want. You shouldn't wheel at anything over 15psi if you're on a regular trail (I don't know about mud or sand 'cause I don't run into that around here.) I usually wheel at 9-12psi and then use the CO2 tank to air up for the drive home.

I can't reiterate enough what it means to get in with other people that wheel. It's the hands-down biggest influence and source of info you can get. I know we're headed into the cold months depending on where you are, but just attend some get-togethers. 4x4Wire.com will get you in touch with people in your area for sure - we're all over the country. Think about attending an event like the Moab Zu out west or ZuWharrie (sp?) on the east coast. Check your hesitation at the door, introduce yourself, and jump right in - we're a really friendly bunch. In fact, most 4-wheelers are, with rare exceptions.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask about anything else.
mike

Great distillation of advice! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> I've followed much of your recommendations as a result of being a member of this forum. I am slooooowly making my way up the capability path and I have learned quite a bit through each progressive step.

Everyone, keep it up! I've still got much more to learn. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Hopefully he comes here then I can show him pics of the trails I've done with my stock '99 (bill moore, loch lomond, yankee hill, kingston peak, saint john/deer creek, west magnolia) and give him an idea of what a stock one will do. I've never even aired down. Until I can get my lift and some 32's I need all the ground clearance I can get.

I've always considered CO2 a bad choice for tires (I know, tons of ppl use it without a problem). It expands and contracts too much with temperature changes. Nitrogen is a much better choice, though not as easy.