noob Rodeo owner

Hi everyone, i just bought a 97 rodeo with 92K miles on it for $3800CA. I like it alot and have been doing alot of reading here lately especially about changing the timing belt, tensioner and water pump since I'm not sure if the original owner has done it yet. I am going to change it just for the piece of mind knowing when it was done because I plan on hanging on to this for awhile. It's nice to know there is a forum of knowledgeable people dedicated to these vehicles. I just hope I can get the timing marks lined up properly for I connot find a complete procedure in detail here for doing this job.
Oh yeah, also had it in to get new A/T tires installed and found out the knob that owned it before torqued the lug nuts way to much that 4 of them couldn't be removed. Most of the ones that were removed had either damaged studs or the wrong ones installed (too short). What a bonehead. Anyway, she's parked in my garage now and will commence work tonight.Picking up new studs and nuts from NAPA on the way home. Take care all!!!!
Will check in later.

Alb :screwy:

You'll want new lug sets also. They come with a washer and a wavey washer and cost about $7 each USD.

When it comes to changing the timing belt BEFORE it breaks, just take it all apart and be extra careful that none of the pullies move and you can install the new belt without lining everything up. I've done it more than a few times and various vehicles. Use some of those large springy paper clips to hold the belt in place as you place it on the pullies.

You'll want new lug sets also. They come with a washer and a wavey washer and cost about $7 each USD.

When it comes to changing the timing belt BEFORE it breaks, just take it all apart and be extra careful that none of the pullies move and you can install the new belt without lining everything up. I've done it more than a few times and various vehicles. Use some of those large springy paper clips to hold the belt in place as you place it on the pullies.
Thanks for the tip Cat Fuzz. Just got in from the garage, I pulled the front hub assemblies off to find out that all the CV boots on both shafts were torn wide open, one was split right in two. That means new CV shafts since I don't know how much dirt got in there. Also need rotors (gouged badly on back sides) and possibly tie rod ends. This is all starting to add up. Anyway at least I won't have to worry about it after everything is done. My wife will be driving this so I want it to be reliable for her.
Bye for now.

Alb

I know exactly what you mean about it all adding up, I originally thought all I was going to have to do was put brakes on mine, well now Ive got calipers, pads, rotors done, and I still have to do a cv shaft, clutch, fuel filter, valve cover gaskets, clutch master cylinder, and possibly rear main seal and power steering pump down the road. The previous owners of my vehicle obviously never did anything to it, after looking at it even the radiator hoses are original and still say isuzu on them, and mine is a 92!!!

I know exactly what you mean about it all adding up, I originally thought all I was going to have to do was put brakes on mine, well now Ive got calipers, pads, rotors done, and I still have to do a cv shaft, clutch, fuel filter, valve cover gaskets, clutch master cylinder, and possibly rear main seal and power steering pump down the road. The previous owners of my vehicle obviously never did anything to it, after looking at it even the radiator hoses are original and still say isuzu on them, and mine is a 92!!!
WOW!! At least the hoses, filters and gaskets should have been maintained over the years unless the truck sat unused for a long period of time. Anyway we will nurse these babies back to good health and enjoy them for years to come.
HAPPY DRIVING!!!!

Alb

A 97 with 92k - yeap! That's a baby!

Get her buttoned up and hit the road, gotta a long way to catch me.

You probably don't need new CV's just yet. Just take a good look at them when you're changing the boots. They arent cheap, because the 96-97's have equal length shafts, unlike the previous years unequal lengths. You will find that Isuzu overbuilds the drivetrain peices, they don't break or even wear very easily.
While you are at it, throw some manual locking hubs on to replace the drive flanges to gain 1-2mpg. Put full synth fluids in everywhere and gain another 1-2 mpg. I just got 18.7mpg on my last fillup, and I'm lifted 3 inches with 32 inch mudders on, and mostly city driving. :-)