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.



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