I thought sence we all like to work on our isuzu and what not here. We sould have a little post to show what we have, what we plan on doing or what we already done. Im pretty new to the customizing and build up of vehicles in general only being 18 and my highschool was a new one that wasnt planed out the best way so we didnt have an automotive class because the only class rooms big enough were either used for the theater workshop (could only hold maybe 3 cars very tightly) or the work shop that they put all the tech. classes that built things (mainly out of wood) in the middle of the building with no way to even get a small car in there. (sorry for going a lil to into things there) but anyways, I would like to hear ideas of what yall are doing or have done sence I have always loved offroading and have been doing it sence I was 6 and drove in my dads lap. so anyways, heres my project Im working on.

I have a stock 94 Rodeo 4x4, automatic with some 245/75R16. I live in a mainly flat area of texas so there isnt much to do but go mudding when it rains, which usually it doenst much in texas but this last summer it was about 3 months of none stop rain everyday almost. so, I plan on adding these upgrades to my truck. have in mind that this is going to be a daily driver as well as a pretty good offroad truck so somethings I do want to not to have to switch out on it. anyways:

1. New lift shackles for the back.
2. Possibly new torsion bars. if current ones are bad(dont want to get ride of the IFS. I know it would make it better offroad but I dont plan on going anywhere with this truck to need to do that)
3. Lockers front and rear.
4. 8,000 lbs winch
5. got the highlift for it. and the spare tire mount being made by the good guys at independent 4x.
6. TJ winch bumper up front. or a tube one but a winch bumper none the less
7. safari roof rack
8. lights for the rack and front end on new bumper
9. dont want to get to crazy with the suspension so a 3" body lift
10. when money alows upgrade to the 3" suspension lift
11. snorkle
12. tires. thinking mud terrains. not sure which brand I want to go with.

so basically thats my plan. anything else you guys want to suggest Im all open to ideas. so yeah, tell me what you are planning or what yall have already done.

It's great to see someone building a trail rig while the're young. I wish I started a lot earlier in life.

A lot of us post our mods in our signature at the bottom of the post, although space is limited and we can't always list everything.

My first mod was rocker bars (boulder bars, rock sliders) because I wanted to protect my truck from damage and also have a place to use a high lift jack. Manual hubs were the next mod. They reduced wear on my cv axles and maybe I gained one mpg. A suspension lift will be much easier than a body lift. The suspension lift, new shocks, and larger tires were next. If you haven't already, check out Independent 4X.

Pete

Go to galleries and choose Readers Rides.
Then click on Isuzu and you'll get to see and read all about most of rigs we've built here. Everything from mild to wild. A lot of talent on this board and we've documented our work well.

Here's mine
http://www.4x4wire.com/cgi-bin/gall...c_johnson.jpg&img=24&tt=

Enjoy.

The guys are probably tired of hearing about it, but one more time.
My current build is an 4 door 89 Trooper with a Turbo Intercooled 2.3L gas motor with 2.6L fuel injection, spinning a 4L30 4 speed 4WD auto. 4:77's with LSD rear and ARB front diffs. 33" tires with 1"of body lift and a slight suspension tweak. (ball joint flip) Oh, and boulder bars that look like running boards. Manual hubs as well, on all four corners.
Tan leather upholstry, a nice Keenwood stereo and alarm. Converted to electric windows and door locks. LS Chrome trim package outside including polished stainless roof rack and a nice bright metalflaked urethane yellow paint job.
8K winch behind the stock bumper and intercooler vented through the hood. Roadmaster tow bar up front too, with in cab air brakes for towing.
If your thinking it sounds more like a Mall Crawler your right. It's for the wife! She commutes 30 miles one way to work into the city and this truck will mean she'll never get stuck because of weather or bad roads.
Plus I'm sure we'll do some exploring with it on one of our Motorhome Vacations.

It's coming along slow, as I'm determined to do it right and stay out of debt. All the stuff I've mentioned above are already built and paid for. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/kewl.gif" alt="" /> Just assembling it is taking forever.
Do a search for Banana Mocha Trooper and you can zero in on the pictures I've already posted on it.

Curtis

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

Mine has been kept a mild build since its my DD (for nearly 10 years now); but it gets around the trails just fine.

'93 Amigo XS with various engine upgrades (cam, header, etc)
2" suspension lift using DOR Springs Upgradez
1.25" body lift
1.75" gas tank lift
custom rock sliders and rear bumper
reinforced skid plates
1.25" differential drop brackets and modified crossmember
receiver hitch added to front crossmember
Tera Lows 3.07's
ARB in rear axle
32" MT/R's
Warn M8000
Independent4x stainless braided brake lines

hey now, i started mine when i was 17 and it turned out alright <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/nana.gif" alt="" />... so there are some of us that started young. 7 years later and its undergoing its 3rd big transition but it never gets old....

anywhoo.. welcome bro

I have already placed my first order at Independent 4x. I got lift shackles and a highlift jack mount so I can put it on the spare tire. Im trying to stay out of debt too. I paying off the Rodeo from my parents right now and Im about a 3rd of the way paid off. but Im working 7 days a week (yesterday I worked a 11.39 hour shift and Im so tired from that right now. lol) so Im trying to keep money in savings and to pay gas, truck payments, upkeep, and upgrades too. so far its taken alot to get my stuck (one bad ass bog near my house that looks more of a compition bog then anything else). I usually spend more time pulling my friends F150 with a 10" lift and 35's on it than he does my truck with all stock parts and 31's. but more ground clearance would be great. there are some deep ruts out there where my axle will get hung up on and I have to take a different line.

On a side note, I have a ticking in my engine and I checked the arcive posts and Ive found the problem. Its the timing belt tensioner. Now, how would I fix that and how much would it cost and how long would it take??

Well very carefully is how....if you have a manual check it and that may show you how. I didn't have a manual that went into depth enough and went to a dealership to get the part and they guy at the parts department was nice enough to copy their manual showing the process step by step. Now I do have to say (which I never thought about) using the medium size binder clips to hold the belt in place on the 2 top pulleys which keeps things in place while you put the tensioner in place and bolt it in. Make double sure that all your marks are in place. I didn't know about the binder clip thing so I was off 2 teeth and had to do it all over again.
It cost me about $65 bucks or so for the part if I remember right and took me about 4 hours to get it done. Good luck and double check yourself on those marks.

Are you sure it is the tensioner? It is VERY common to have a tick from the hydraulic lifters. You can switch to 0W30 oil, and also try a variety of engine cleaners(Sea Foam, Gunk motor Flush, ATF) That can also help with the ticking. Mine still ticks even after going through a few different experiments. No worries though, as it runs like a champ.

Just look into the lifter tick before tearing into your engine to get the tensioner.

well, it goes away after 2000 rpm so idk. I will look into the lifters but last time I was in there it look pretty good so idk. mine still runs stronger than ever right now so it might just be a tick.