I have a 1996 Rodeo that about bit the dust this week. i've been thinking i'd like to make it into a baja style truck. does anyone know of somewhere i can find these types of parts for a rodeo?

Sorry Scooter, but your gonna need to be more specific about what you have, what your want, and how much money you have(Or wish you had).


There's an age old saying in the racing car building arena."Show me your check book and I'll tell you how fast you can go, cause speed cost money".

You give us an idea of what your looking to do other than a shotgun statement "Baja Truck" and we'll point you in the right direction. Your in the right spot if you want schooling on Isuzu Trucks. Lots of reeeaaaaally smart Isuzu owners here. We've built every variation of Isuzus there is on the planet And we really don't mind sharing knowledge. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Insert Rant:( A pet peeve I have)
I would suggest also that if want knowlege from some new friends you might post up at least a first name for us to get personal with, and where in the WORLD your located. That way you might even get one of these smart guys here to help you. If you want to stay anonymous then your not gonna make many friends. Cause no one will know who you are.

Curtis

Sorry, i'm kinda new to this thing. My name is Ty. i live in the san diego area. i have a few friends who have trophy trucks and we take our dirt bikes and truck out to areas like ocotillo wells a lot and occasionally down to baja california. i know an Isuzu Rodeo isn't ideal for a trophy truck, but i would like something comparable, or at least to be able to make it close and fun to ride with my buddies. I dont have a TON of money but i'm not trying to do this all in one shot either so money isnt a huge issue, it will just take time to put it together. thanks for all your help!!

Sounds good Ty. I used to live in San Bernadino, WAY back when.... So I know where your talking about.
We have several members here in your area. Even one or two with their own Off Road Shops. Dallas for one AKA "Stink Bug." He wrenches for the Red Bull Off Racing Team of Dustin Weber.

We're a pretty Newby Friendly bunch around here. Don't let the fact that you caught me before my morning coffe scare you off. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" /> I'm one of the old grumpy guys! <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/lol.gif" alt="" />

Oh, and if you do the search thing, you'll find more info than you want to know. If it concerns mods for Isuzus, We've done and tried it all. And, before you ask, "What's the biggest tire I can run on my Rodeo?", understand, we've asnwered that question a million times. So, the answer HAS BEEN COVERED. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/zombie.gif" alt="" /> to death.

Are you driving a 4 or 6? Auto or 5 speed? Any mods to it already? Are you wanting to make it a Trophy Truck or just more off road friendly?
Search, then ask what you don't understand. We'll keep you pointed in the right direction.


Here's a suggestion Ty.
Go here to see what wee've built. That will give you a better idea of what you can do to your Rodeo. Mine's in there too!
Curtis

I've been in touch with a few local shops. most of them dont do trophy trucks with isuzus. they should be in touch with me after the new year stuff. I have a 1996 rodeo, its a V6, 5-speed. I have a 4 inch lift on it, wheels and tires. its pretty off-road friendly already. I do things like Jeep Safari in Moab, UT. I would like to move more into the open desert, trophy truck, running over jumps type of stuff haha.

Here's one shop in San Diego that definitly does Isuzus anything. This is Stinky Fab, Dallas is the owner and chief builder.
I know him personally. He's still running one of my engines. Tell him I sent you. He's one of our regulars guys at Moab every year. Heck, he's been there more times than I have.
He was in my Rodeo when I broke my FF rear Dana 44 and had to drive it home to Texas on the front axles.

Dallas can help you get your custom built stuff started anyway.

Then there's Matt at Independant 4X He can help you find those hard to find parts for Isuzus. Matt is another Moab buddy who definitly knows how to Hot Rod an Isuzu. Not many aftermarket Isuzu parts suppliers our there.

Heck even my shop "Ridiculous Equipment is still a private build shop.

Look through their Web Sites and study the Rigs in the Readers Rides. If you want to build your Rodeo, then this is where to find out how.

Best of luck there Ty.

Curtis

I came across this post while "searching" for something else.
I assume you mean friends whith pre-runners. If you really have lots of friends with TT's then we need to get to know each other!

OK, here is the meat. I have been building a class 3 car based on an isuzu. Here is what I would recomend. Since you have a '96 rodeo you have the wider bolt spacing on the upper front a-arm, thats good. What you need to do is buy the upper a-arm from a '96 or newer trooper, and replace the lower ball joints with those from a 96 or later trooper. Then you will need the tie rods from a '96 or later trooper. And lastly you will need the half- shafts from a '96 or later trooper. The troopers have longer t-bars as well and I added them to my build, but it requires some fab work do this.
The point of this is to adapt the late model trooper suspension to your rodeo. The late model trooper has the longest a-arms and therefor the most travel. The good part is that it is a bolt in affair for you.
I had to clearance the upper arms and clearance the upper ball joint a little, but I can get an honest 13.25" of "metal to metal" wheel travel out of this set-up. you will need long travel shocks, I use a 2.5" 12" stroke resi.

On the rear I would go with 64" Deavers sprung under if you have the cash. If you are broke I would go with mid '90's chevy 1500 2wd springs, spring over. You can get 14-16" of travel out of these springs. Long shocks are required as well as some fabrication to mount the springs.

You will end up with a rodeo that can go pretty fast in the desert. The 108" wheel base is the real problem with going much faster.

Oh yea, your going to have to cut up the fenders for tire clearance as well!

Here are a couple of build pics of mine that show the bare frame and the front suspension.



[image]

]http://i219.photobucket.com/albums/cc264/chadzu/DSC01276.jpg[/image]

I'm curious as to how much travel the cv's can deal with before binding.

what are you doing for bumpstops?

The cv's don't bind with my set-up. I was a little worried about that, but it didn't end up being an issue. I don't think I am putting much more angle on the joints then the first gen guys do trying to get 3" of lift. I made pretty good gains in travel on the bump side.

I am using 4" travel 2.5" hydro bumps. These really help mellow out big bumps and landings, and give me some added spring rate, because class rules mandate I keep the t-bar. I should say in theory, its not finished yet.

I fully plan on running this car in 2wd most of the time and only going with 4wd when in is necessary.