well, right now I have 265/70 on 16's, so I really can't afford to go too low on the PSI's for fear of losing ground clearance. I'm definetly going for a lift and bigger tires. I would have bought 31's or even 32's but I was afraid there would be to much rubbing. so until then im stuck with a stock rodeo with 265's.

265/70-16 tires are exactly 31".

From my experience this is not just a simple question.
If you are in a lot of sand then you want to go as low as possible without the tire spinning! Got away with as low 10 psi. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> (When my front dif failed) I was limited to the back dif with a long way (300km) from the nearest garage! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/scared.gif" alt="" /> But ground clearance suffer. I also blew two tires (Michelin) under load at 1.4psi on tar without exceeding 80km/ph while I was aiming for the nearest filling station. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/shiner.gif" alt="" /> Not the manufacturers fault but the tire just got to hot since it was not pumped high enough, very hot day and hot tar, high load and eventually laminated. Most people like 14 here to start with as long as you can pump the tires again and do slow driving in sand.
<img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/cheers.gif" alt="" />

that shows my noobyness to wheelin... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />
but I've seen tires labled as 31, 32 and so on...

You can put a 285/75/16 on your rodeo.. Tight fit BUT A sawsall fixes all. LOL only kidding. you will get rubbing and you will gain a little more ground clearance. Depending on what Manufacture you get your next set from some of them are (P)4 ply, (C)6 ply,(D) 8 ply. I have yet to see a (E) 10 ply yet. Also when you go bigger in tire you dont have to run a lot of Air Pressure, Since you have more volume of air. I have 31x10.50x15's on my Trooper and I run 26 psi but im also Running on the stock 15x6 and they pinch the tire BAD, Good Idea to go with a wider wheel when going bigger for wear and off road stabilty. Off-Road I run 15 PSI and havent roll off a bead yet.. Knock on Wood... I Also Think that the Older Isuzu's you can run Up to a 32 inch with no lift but torsions have to be turned up. Keep in mind also that your fuel mileage my be affected and your RPM's may not turn as fast as you like, I have seen that A LOT. People put lifts on and they dont have the gearing for the BIG tires and they lose a lot power.

I would Highly Recommend the Mickey Thompson's they Have Really Turned themselves around. The MTZ's they Offer is really aggressive and HAS one of the best offroad Traction I have seen since the GoodYear MTR and the Baja Claw ftom Mickey. the Big O X/T is a great tire just for the warranty it offer's LIFETIME BABY!! All of the other Mickey Thompsons they offer now are great, the All Terrain ATZ is Great also if you dont want that aggressive of a tire. Later, Robbie.

is there anything that can be done to increase power besides a hi-flow air intake?

HEHE!!!! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> NOS <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/evil.gif" alt="" /> just kidding......I think <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> --------> a Super charger <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> [color:"green"] $$$$$$$ [/color] but don't worry about it at first or ever........put your tires on(what ever size) and enjoy the great outdoors...... <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/patriot.gif" alt="" /> it's all good.
You'll know when you need more........vroom......vroom...
and then worry about it.

The power 'loss' associated with larger tires can be offset with lower gearing. Probably not worth the cost involved if you're just going up 1" in size, though.

[edit] Let me add this. While larger tires will 'decrease' power, its not like your truck is going to become unstreetable by putting 32-33" tires on it with stock gearing. It will still travel at interstate speeds with no problem... just take a bit longer to get up to those speeds <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

GREAT point, I really missed that.... ANYWAY, Low gearing will definitly help IF you get that serious about it. 3 inch lift and heavy tires/Wheels ( the lift wont affect anything as far as I know) will be alot more "strain" on the power plant. As far as power upgrades go, Head over to www.calmini.com they have almost everything you need to get started for power. Myself have drilled 1" holes in my Air box ( the bottom half ) about 6 or 7 total, K&N Filter, Calmini Cam, HighFlow Cat, With 2 and a quarter inch pipe with DynoMax Ultra Flow Muffler ( Its not too bad except at 4000 RPM and then its loud), Pacesetter Header, And i still get 25 MPG, Which is great. There is alot you can do, with $$$ Cash. One thing at a time you can do it, I did. E mail me if you need any thing or ASK our Wonderful OFF-Roaders here, they are full of Info from past Experiances LOL some Good Some Bad. Later! PS search the Internet Be very Specific or you will get alot of Miss leading/wrong Info that can really throw you off, Especially when ordering parts..... BAD INFO THOSE IDIOTS GAVE ME!!! UGH! Shop for tires that will get you on your way but still give you what you want with out giving You a lot of pain.