Rodeo body lift

[mudhog1997]

i have a 1997 rodeo 4x4 auto tranny. i can not find a body lift kit for is. has any one lifted a 97 if so any info will be a big help

[Ramblin Fever]

I've done a suspension lift which allows for decent sized tires. Body lift is something you only want to do if you want to go bigger then 34-35" tires, in which, anything bigger the IFS on these trucks will need swapped for a SAS.

Smiley on planetisuzoo.com has done a body lift on his 97, but I think his is a 5spd

[fourwd1]

A BL is a good way to get an inch or two more room for a little bigger tire, but the big companies don't make BL's for auto equipped vehicles because of the linkage. They don't want to deal with liability issues.

There is one guy that does make custom BL's and has linkage adapters for Toyota autos, and he may be able to do it for your Rodeo. Check here
He is very reputable, I've dealt with him many times.

[mydogaragon]

These guys have a 3" lift kit

http://www.pureisuzu.com/91-97_3_lift.htm
B

[Ramblin Fever]

Yeah...for a $1k

Can't see the point in paying $900 more for that 1" inch over the 2" suspension lift I paid a total of $100 for....which equals a set of Calmini shackles, cranked front torsion bars, and a new alignment.

I have a total of 3" of suspension lift, with the 32" tires and longer shackles.

If you're referring to body lift however, yes, they are expensive.

[fourwd1]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Fever

Can't see the point in paying $900 more for that 1" inch over the 2" suspension lift I paid a total of $100 for....which equals a set of Calmini shackles, cranked front torsion bars, and a new alignment.
.

There's a biiig difference between that Cal-Mini suspension kit, and your longer shackles/cranked t-bars setup, hence the difference in price.

You'll get more travel, more articulation, and a decent ride from that kit.
With t-barcranking, for the ride height you gain, you loose the same amount in travel in the opposite direction (you can't get something for nothing), and it makes the ride harsher/stiffer.

I like the kit they have for my 01 Trooper too.

[Ramblin Fever]

I guess if you *truly* need the lift then the money's justified; however, I can manage some pretty rough 4x4 trails with just the 2" lift and 32" tires.

Thousands of Isuzu owners have done nothing more to their front ends then the torsion bar cranking; take a look at planetisuzoo.com's website.

Very few of them have used the Calmini kit at all; and those that have raised their front ends to the point of very limited travel have simply switched to the SAS set-up which is far superior anyhow if running a true high lift or running tires bigger then 35's.

A lot of them have added additional items, i.e. ball joint spacers and flipped their ball joints, or changed out the oem torsion bars and added in heavy duty torsion bars....but their end result of the front end is mostly the same...cranked torsion bars.

The add-a-leaf idea in Calmini's rear end makes for a very harsh ride in the rear; one should check out installing OME leaf springs, to replace worn out leaf's. These alone add an additional 1.5" of lift over factory leaf springs, and provide an excellent ride.

My truck does ride rough, but rode rough BEFORE any lifting took place, that is thanks to the super stiff shocks that are on it, which are getting replaced soon.

I do agree Calmini has some cool stuff, and perhaps this lift is suitable for most. But other Isuzu severe off-roaders have just either performed the above steps for the front end and/or switched to an SAS set up.

I do agree if one is running a 3" lift or bigger, longer brake lines, shocks, etc are needed. In which case, check into independent4x, this guy specializes in Isuzu's and will set someone up nicely and affordably.

[Ramblin Fever]

Wanted to add - that kit you mentioned has all the same options I already installed, minus the brake line extensions and add a leafs. It comes with shackles and heavy duty torsion bars, i.e. for additional height, which IS what I have, but can be found cheaper.