Solster's 1999 Rodeo Offroad Project

I'm going to make my 1999 Rodeo 4x4 S model into an offroader, and would love some help. I'm a way big newbie to doing something like this. I will have an offroad shop help with installs. But I'd like advice on things before I let the shop take over. I hope some of you won't mind mentoring me through this. If you think I'd be better of doing this at 4x4wire.com, let me know.

I won't likely be doing serious rock climbing, I'm more a mud, dry wash and hill climbing fool. I've always had stock 4x4's that have done me well, but I was always limited by low clearance. I will be driving this offroad in the California, Arizona and Utah deserts/mountains.

I'm thinking a 3" calmini lift

Q1) that's a suspension lift if I'm correct - please confirm.

Then 32/11.5/R15 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

I like the following wheels:
http://www.tirepackage.com/images/product/66_small.jpg
Q2) I think the right size is 15"x8"

I may want more lift (max for sure would be 6")

Q3) is a body lift the next step to getting more lift, or there other options.
Q4) Whatever lift option is available above the calmini, is it best to do it all at once with the offroad shop, or try a 3" first, see how I like it, if I need more do it in stage 2 of development (I'm thinking a second stage mod would cost more than doing it all at once.

Q5) If I get 4 new wheels/tires, is the common approach to get a matching 5th for a spare. I currently have 235/75/15 michelins with 25K miles on them, probably 35-45K left on the tread. I'd like sell these off on ebay or something once I get lifted, unless there is a reason to keep them?

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

thanks
Solster

I'm thinking a 3" calmini lift

Q1) that's a suspension lift if I'm correct - please confirm.

Then 32/11.5/R15 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires.

I like the following wheels:
http://www.tirepackage.com/images/product/66_small.jpg


Calimini's lift is a Suspenion lift.

Q2) I think the right size is 15"x8"

I may want more lift (max for sure would be 6")

Q3) is a body lift the next step to getting more lift, or there other options.
Q4) Whatever lift option is available above the calmini, is it best to do it all at once with the offroad shop, or try a 3" first, see how I like it, if I need more do it in stage 2 of development (I'm thinking a second stage mod would cost more than doing it all at once.


Just remember, you dont want to lift too much or you will change the geometry of the drivetrain, causing even more problems.

I have been researching some new wheels and I've seen the following mentioned as OEM:
16" X 7", 6 LUG, 5 1/2" BOLT


Q5) If I get 4 new wheels/tires, is the common approach to get a matching 5th for a spare. I currently have 235/75/15 michelins with 25K miles on them, probably 35-45K left on the tread. I'd like sell these off on ebay or something once I get lifted, unless there is a reason to keep them?


Do you have a rear mounted spare tire? If you want to get a matching spare, do NOT mount it underneath the car when you go off roading or you might not be able to get to it, not to mention, it probably won't fit. I suggest if you don't have a tow hitch, to get one, and a steel bumper guard that mounts to the hitch (this could be an easy fab using 2" steel square tubing). This will act both as a bumper guard, but more importantly, it allows you to use bumper jacks such as: http://www.4by4connection.com/hiliftjack.html If you already have a hitch, this will be cheaper than purchasing a whole steel bumper.

MegaV is the man!!!

Q1) you mentioned too much lift may cause problems, how do you feel about a 3" only. How about 6"?

Q2) How would I get more lift beyond the calmini 3"?

Q3) I do have a rear door mounted spare. My quess is a 32" wheel won't hang there though. Is putting it up on a safari cargo carrier the olny option, or can I hang it off the back door (even if that requires a mod).

Thanks for mentioning the jack and bumper plate. I'll need a tow package, so that is now on the list of to-do's.

Thanks, and keep it coming. Any Rodeo owners in the North Los Angeles area who might be near me and are into the offroad rigs??? if so, email [email protected].

Q3) I do have a rear door mounted spare. My quess is a 32" wheel won't hang there though. Is putting it up on a safari cargo carrier the olny option, or can I hang it off the back door (even if that requires a mod).


Uhaul has a great tow hitch for 150-200(i can't remember). I don't know how your back hatch opens up, but too big of a wheel might not even allow you to open that up. Mounting it in a safari rack is the cheapest, easiest method. Or you could go all out and build an all steel back bumper(w/ integrated tow hitch), and your own swing away tire mount.

Solster,

You may want to post on 4x4wire. There are a lot of off-roaders there. In time I will be one. The people there tend to favor two companies to get their products, darlington off-road (http://www.darlington-offroad.com/)
and independant4x (http://www.independent4x.bigstep.com/homepage.html) Both of these guys are members of 4x4wire.

Most of the members at the wire like the lifts these two offer. The Calmini lift is a lot more money and has parts which are not necessary. Still good though. With the Rodeo, all you can really get from the lifts offered is 3". So most do a 3" body lift as well. Driveline shouldn't be a problem, but ask on the wire.


As far as other mods, with a lift it is almost requirred to switch to manual locking hubs. Both those sites have them. They will save wear and tear on your CV joints due to the new angle from the lift.

You will also want some sliders to protect your body (the part at the bottom of your doors). These will save you some severe damage. In my opinion it is bad to go off-roading without them as it is certain to cause damage.

Since your spare is on the tailgate, put the larger spare there, I am almost sure it will fit.

Those are about all I can think of to get started as an off-roader, but when time comes you may want more. Make sure you have all the proper skid plates. In time maybe a locker, new bumpers, off-road lights, ect..ect..ect..the list can go on. But, as I said the big ones are the rock sliders, lift, bigger tires and the manual hubs.

Check out those websites and when you decide on a plan, give them a call. Search the wire and post some, there are off-road Isuzu gods there.


Marc

Thanks Marc!!!

4x4wire, darlington off-road and independant4x.
I already posted there. And I will consider those, I started by mentiong calmini as the shop I'll use knows calmini products, but I'm sure they will use any other product.

3" suspension lift and a 3" body lift as well.
Will it be cheaper to do both at the same time, or can I try the 3" suspension lift, and see if that's enough, if not, do the body lift (will doing it in 2 steps cost significantly more)?

manual locking hubs. They will save wear and tear on your CV joints due to the new angle from the lift.
YIKES, I really really like on the fly 4x4, is there a way around this, maybe less lift. This is going to be a big issue for me, hopefully there's a solution (beyond remaining stock). I won't be rock crawling if that matters?

You will also want some sliders to protect your body
alright, top of my list next to megav's jack idea!

Since your spare is on the tailgate, put the larger spare there, I am almost sure it will fit.
Cool, good to hear, I'd really like it if a 5th 32/11.5/15 mud terrain could hang off the back door, it would look nice!

The shift on the fly will still be there, sort of. Most of the time you are not going to need 4x4, so it is not an issue. When you feel you are going to need 4x4, just have the hubs dialed to 4x4, and hit the SOTF button when you want 4x4. With the hubs installed you still need to hit the button in the vehicle with the addition of turning the dials on both front wheels. It is not bad to have them set to 4x4 for awhile. Many people in the snowy areas keep them on 4x4 for most of the winter, then hit the 4x switch when needed.

If you get a lift, they really are a good idea. Once you get used to them, it wont be a big deal.

The rock sliders should be done before you venture too deep into the unknown. Also, with the auto locking hubs you have now, they are not the strongest. If you are in some mud or some serious off-roading, they may unlock. This will leave you stuck, you will possibly not be able to get back into 4x4 while stuck. manual hubs do not suffer from this ailment. They will not disengage.

Do the body lift when you want, but it may save time and a bit of money if you do it with the suspension lift. I think you may need it to fit 32's. Get some good shocks as well.

Marc

marc, thanks! I'll follow up on the wheels and shocks later. I want to learn more about this locking hub issue if you don't mind.

Thanks for clarifying the weakness of the auto locking hubs, I get it!

If I understand your post, you are saying, when around town or freeway, I'd be in 2 wheel drive. When I get to offroading, lock the hubs, but this doesn't put me into 4x4 until I hit the 4x4 switch in the truck. If I understand, then on a day off offraoding fun, I'd hit the dirt with the hubs locked, but the 4x4 switch not on, and when I need 4x4 for the tough stuff, I'd hit the switch - much like on the fly - and hit the switch again when I'm out of the rough stuff. If that's correct, could I leave the hubs locked for the day of offroding, and use the switch as described in the previous sentance? Am I close, or off the mark, marc?

good stuff!!!

You are right on. Leave the hubs locked for the day, you will be fine. I don't have them, but soon. I was going to get them last year, but didn't. I researched them quite a bit. You can lock them when you get to the destination and shift into 4x4 when needed and out when needed. When you leave to go home, unlock them. If you travel to a snowy area and need them locked for a few days, it is fine.

Marc

also, think of it like this, if you leave the hubs locked, it is like you have the auto hubs. But unlock them when you don't need 4x4. It will improve gas mileage a little.

Marc

sweet! I can live with that. Appreciate the time to teach me.

How much would the locking hub upgrade cost. Where would I get them?

thanks!

Those two sites I posted probably have them. they are under $100 I believe. Instalation I am not sure, but not a lot. You may want to try installing them yourself. There is a write-up somewhere, maybe planetisuzu.

Marc

budget?

I would start with that first.

I would go in this order:

1. Lift (independent4x or darlington). - Alignment.

2. Tires (skip the rims, they can be budget busters); see if you can find a used tire for the spare (ask you local tire place to hold one if they get one in)

3. Hubs (help to save your cv's).

4. ARB bumper (I think they really help to make SUV look different).

5 Rock sliders (if you offroad where there are rocks then yes this is a good add on).

6. body lift (I don't know if it is possible if you have an auto).

Remember, if you lift it, put bigger tires on it your MPG will go down (aerodynamics).

budget?

budget = $5K, but that's with money for grill guards, safari cargo, lights, etc.... So, I figure $2500-$3000 for lift wheels and tires. I believe this is a pretty good budget to work with?

Tires (skip the rims, they can be budget busters); see if you can find a used tire for the spare (ask you local tire place to hold one if they get one in)

I got a price of $75 per wheel for the ones I posted above, sounded pretty good to me???

body lift (I don't know if it is possible if you have an auto).
Interesting, I'll follow up on that...anyone else know about this? on 4x4 wire, they said a 3" susp and 3" body would be needed to get 32" tires on, but I've seen differently elsewhere, maybe that's more of a recommendation???

Remember, if you lift it, put bigger tires on it your MPG will go down (aerodynamics).
This Rodoe will be a toy - no longer a commuter, so that's cool, but thanks for mentioning it!

marcre - THANK you for pointing out the Darlington website, I have looked long and hard - obviously not hard enough - for an ARB bumper to fit the 97 Rodeo. Had long forgotten the idea, never thinking it would be found.