Needing to replace the rear brakes on the wife's Rodeo, looking for some recommendations on rotors and pads. Also is this a fairly straightforward job or will I need to pull axles to do it?

Your rotors should be fine, they may need to be resurfaced.

Isuzu parts are the way to go. Many folks complain about squeaking from aftermarket parts.

The place to get oem parts in st. charles Isuzu. See my FAQ link below for st. charles contact information.

-Ryan

That's what I was wondering, OEM or aftermarket. Any way to tell if I need the rear disk tool to turn the pistons in before I start the work, or will I not know till I get in there?

On my '97 the caliper just squeezes straight back in, and very easily with a c-clamp and piece of wood if I remember to take the cover off the brake fluid reservoir!

Due to money being tight I had to go with the cheapest I could find, $96 for rotors and pads from NAPA. We're saving up to go on a cruise in September(our first real vacation in 12 years of marriage) and the brakes had to be done. both inside pads were down to the backing plates (past them actually). I should get at least a year out of these, then I'll replace them with the good ones.