Do I want to buy a Rodeo?

01_Rodeo · 04-18-2004, 01:14 AM

Hey all.. great information here in the forum.

I've been interested in the Rodeo because it seems to fit my budget better than just about every other SUV on the market, and it seems to get some of the better mileage ratings out there. However, after digging around, I'm hesitant to purchase the one I had set my sights on.

I found a very nice looking black 2001 4WD with about 39K on the clock.

I see a lot of repeating maintenance issues, and ABS problems... even found threads online where people were really ripping the ABS across many model years of the car. That has me a little concerned as I'd like to eventually use the Rodeo to tow a boat. Coming down a hill in the rain with a 2500 lb boat and having the ABS go out to lunch is not my idea of a good time (or a smart investment).

So, I have two questions:
1) Are there that many problems with the Rodeo, or is it simply the fact that I'm looking in the Rodeo forums, and these kinds of things are what the forums are for? I drive a Celica right now, which has been trouble free but won't tow a boat. I'd like to get beyond the financing on the Rodeo without being constantly nailed with things breaking on me (I'm not overly mechanically inclined where I work on my own cars, and my Isuzu dealer is not what I'd consider ideally located).

2) If you do recomment the Rodeo, then what do I need to insure the dealer has done before I'm willing to take delivery?

Thanks for any info you can provide!

Mike72771 · 04-18-2004, 02:08 AM

I have a 2001 Rodeo I bought new. I have 45k on it now and have had no major problems.

rodeo02 · 04-18-2004, 02:28 AM

ABS can get pretty harry on any truck used for towing, off road or heavy duty use. IMHO- ABS is best suited for cars & regular street use. The "ABS issues" typically associated with rodeos stems from the super crappy OEM shocks. These shocks allow so much wheel hop on rough terrain that the ABS will kick on during normal braking. Put a good set of a/m shocks on it & problem solved. Follow the owner's manual recommended service intervals & these trucks will last a long time. A 4-runner, montero sport or patchfinder *might* be more reliable for you, but you will pay WAY more for them.
G/luck
Joel

01_Rodeo · 04-18-2004, 02:39 AM

Rodeo_02:

What type of a/m shock would you suggest, and roughly what is the cost?

If ABS is typically tempermental when towing, would it be better to pull the ABS fuse and go on the straight disc brakes?

Thanks for the info...

rodeo02 · 04-18-2004, 03:54 AM

I put monroe sensa-tracs on mine @ around 15K miles. HUGE improvement in ride and handling. Pulling the ABS fuse should not be needed for easy driving, even when towing.
G/luck
Joel

amigo-2k · 04-18-2004, 11:37 AM

Rodeo's and Troopers are the best bang for the buck when buying used.

The main things that need to be kept up on the Rodeo, is keeping the EGR system clean, and adding a product like chevron techron contrate before every oil change to help remove carbon build up.

If you are purchasing this from an Isuzu dealer I would ask them to do the following:

1. Clean the EGR, EGR port and EGR tube
2. replace the PCV
3. Clean the trottle body
4. Have them hook it up to the fuel injector cleaner
5. replace the fuel filter
If you have no history on the fluids I would also swap out the:

Antifreeze (flush)
tranny flush
front and rear diffy lube
power stearing fluid
brake fluid too.

Most of these things are DIY type of things. Pick a couple of them and see if you can get your dealer to do a couple of them for you.

read my FAQ link below for a bunch more info on DIY repairs

-Ryan

01_Rodeo · 04-18-2004, 03:56 PM

What's the expected MPG on the '01?

It's the 3.2L v6, which I think claims 19/21, but I've seen a few posts stating lower...

Thanks.

amigo-2k · 04-18-2004, 04:03 PM

I get 18/22 summer and 16/20 winter.

lower MPG is usually due to a heavy foot, or dirty EGR, PCV or low tire pressure.

-Ryan

dannyd74 · 04-28-2004, 10:56 AM

DO NOT buy a Rodeo. I have a 2001 with 32k miles and I'm going through an oil consumption test at the dealer. At 2500 miles (one more check-in required) it's gone through 3 quarts. I'm praying the last 500 miles will lose a lot so there's no debate from Isuzu whether I warrant a new motor. A quart per 1000 miles is "acceptable". "Acceptable" maybe, but not normal. The shocks are also terrible, and there are just so many problems associated with them.

Mike72771 · 04-28-2004, 11:08 PM

I get about 18/22 on my Rodeo as well.

My CEL came on last night witch made me think of this thread and my post about a week ago. Can you say JINX!

I went down to Autozone and had them read the code. It came up O2 bank 1 lean; what ever that means. Anyway I had him clear it maybe it was a fluke?

Ramblin Fever · 04-29-2004, 12:35 AM

I don't personally have the specific year you're looking for, but I have had 2 Rodeo's through the years.

Both 1st generations, a 91 & 97, and if I had it to due over again, I'd do it in a heartbeat. Both trucks were the V6, a 3.1L & 3.2L - towed a 4K boat with both.

I believe the 91 had disc all around, and 4 wheel ABS, thought it may have been disc front/drum rear - it's been a few years since I traded that one in.

My only beef, in fact, with that truck and all of it's 155K miles, was the brakes - however, half of the problem was not in the design of the truck, but rather the quality in which the dealership put into it.

Don't quote me precisely, but I believe the first 2yrs/20K miles we had it, it went through 4 sets of brakes and 2 sets of rotors, 1st set of rotors were warped, ruining 2 sets of brakes before dealership honored to fix the problem. 2nd set of rotors ruined another 2 sets of brakes, this time the dealership admitted to not doing something quite right.

The 3rd set of rotors, and 5th set of brakes lasted close to 100K, as the dealership, at that time, put on some heavy duty brakes. This truck didn't start pulling the boat till the brake issues were totally fixed - so I know the boat was not the initial problem.

I used the 91 for hauling the boat quite often, however, it wasn't always able to stop it in a hurry - but I truly believe that had nothing to do with the braking capability, moreso the size of the engine versus weight of the boat.

2nd Rodeo has a bigger engine, though not the 205 ponies the 01 model year has, but it's pulled the same boat quite well, with disc front/drum rear and rear ABS only. This truck has had no brake issues at all, in fact it's on the original set of rotors, and just swaped out 1st set of brakes all around - they lasted 100K.

Reliability wise, in the overall aspect, I wouldn't have had it any other way. I never had big expenses on either truck, and neither one left me stalled anywhere. And the 97 Rodeo brought me 75 miles back home on a dead alternator and a half living, almost dead battery. She didn't stall once, however I stopped constantly to make sure that big fan was turning and the pulley/bearing on the alternator wasn't seizing.

Good luck in your choosing - it's hard sometimes.

twisted99 · 06-06-2004, 09:41 PM

I will NEVER reccomend a Rodeo or any Isuzu vehicle to anyone!
bought a 99 new motor seized in 2002 with 54k on the clock, still under warranty dealer claimed there was no oil in it. TOTAL BS.
PRIOR to that:
ABS "wire or sensor" replaced twice, fuel gauge sender replaced, pass. side window pretty much exploded when i went to put it up (truck was maybe 8 months old)

surferfletch · 06-07-2004, 10:02 PM

127,000+ troublefree 3.2L Rodeo LS miles, 2WD. Regular oil changes and tranny services done. Changed the timing belt and tensioner BEFORE it broke. One window regulator failure. Coolant flushes as prescribed. Changed the water pump prophylactically. Did collect a little water in the running board on the passenger side when the weep hole clogged up. Two trips to CT and back to FL. In my book, the '97 is super reliable when properly taken care of. If it's good enough for Honda to put it's name on, it's good enough for me (minus a couple thousand kicks!).

Dober89 · 06-07-2004, 10:33 PM

Ive got my 2000 rodeo lse 4wd and the only problem ive had with it so far has been the intake manifold gaskets. I havent yet replaced the shocks but plan on doing it soon hopefully. Its a nice vehicle, fits all my stuff, and I like the 4wd system.

rodeo02 · 06-08-2004, 11:44 AM

A rodeo is just like any other part time 4x4, full framed truck. You need to keep up on more than just oil changes. There's a lot of hardware under/in there. The 3.2/3.5 will spin a bearing with little/no warning if you never pop the hood to check the oil level. Windows will explode if you have an average shop install aftermarket tint to them. You'll find that rodeo's are tougher & hardier than a blazer, exploder or durango- but not 100% as trouble free as a 4-runner, montero or patchfinder. Rodeo's can be had CHEAP when compared to a yota, mitsu or nissan.
If you want speed, handling & fuel economy, dont buy a truck.
G/luck
Joel

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