New user with questions about Lift, Tires, Shocks... I searched already

I am the proud owner of a 2000 rodeo 4wd / v6 / 5-speed tranny. The tires and shocks will both need to be replaced in the next 6 months or so. Since I'm already buying that stuff, I figured that I may as well lift it a bit. It seems that standard procedure on Rodeos of my year is for new springs in the back and a torsions bar twist up front. My only previous lift experience was with a solid front axle setup, so I really don't know anything about torsion bars. Will this affect my vehicles reliability or ride at all? Also, will the 5 speed need any modifications for 2 or 3 inches of lift?
As for the wheels and tires. It's currently wearing 16s with bizarre backspacing (they stick out a bit much). I was considering going to 15" wheels to correct the backspacing issue and take advantage of lower-priced tires. 15s will clear the brakes, right? Should I expect to lose much mileage with these modifications? I know that it will have more rolling weight and more drag, but I also know that this will change the true gearing... so maybe I'll make up for it on the highway.
I don't have a problem with minor trimming in order to keep the tires from rubbing... so would I be OK with 32/11.50?

Thanks in advance. I know that I've asked a lot... especially for a first post, but if I'm going to do this, I want to make sure that I do it right.

OME 912 springs in the back and t-bar crank is the norm and gives exactly 3" lift. Also longer shocks in back but stock lenght ones in front. No reliability concerns other then the increased angle of the cv's wearing and splitting the boots faster. Swapping the stock front drive flanges for manual locking hubs takes care of that by not spinning the cv's all the time.

Nothing needs to be done as far as the trans/t-case.

15" wheels should be fine but test them before buying. Mine came with stock 15" and I have 15" aftermarket ones with no problem. Mikes '01 rodeo came with 16" stock wheels and is running 15" aftermarket ones also with no problem. I havent really noticed any difference in mileage going from 30x9.50-15 to 32x11.50-15. I did notice a slight decrease in power going over mountain passes last week but thats at 11k ft above sea level, I just had to leave it in 4th gear longer then usuall.

Here is mine with 32x11.50-15 bfgs and aftermarket wheels with 3.75" backspace and 3" lift..

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/Gizmo420/Rodeo%20blackout/Img_0642.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/Gizmo420/Rodeo%20blackout/Img_0643.jpg

And the trimming I had to do to the front fenders and bumper..

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/7157/img0659nv4.jpg
http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/3661/img0658cu4.jpg
http://img176.imageshack.us/img176/2268/img0661wp2.jpg

I also had to drop the rear bumpstops 2" to prevent rubbing on the edges of the tires..

http://img360.imageshack.us/img360/7751/0405081235in2.jpg
http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/5888/0405081232fz2.jpg

I still get a little rubbing in the front when I get it extremely twisted up but its just hitting the plastic inner piece. I need to trim it a bit more.

Personally I think it rides alot better with the OME springs and cranked t-bars.

For complete lift kits contact Matt at Independent4x (https://id211.chi.us.securedata.net/independent4x.com/merchantmanager/index.php?cPath=1_12_22_28) He's a great guy and one of the few that activly supports the Isuzu community.

Thanks for the quick reply. I really like the look of your Rodeo... 11k over sea level? Are you in CO? (I am... my vehicle will be driving me up and down the mountains again before too long, though little if any offroad duty).

Anyway, did you have to do anything to the edge where the trimming took place? Like treat it to prevent rust, etc.

As for the front shocks... They're basically shot. Since I'll be replacing them anyway, should I go ahead and get slightly longer ones?

So after springs, shocks, torsion bar, and the bumpstops was there anything left that you had to do besides get an alignment?


PS: nice rock sliders

I am in aurora. Just spent last week in Moab and its the first time I've driven in the mountains since putting on the new wheels and tires.

After trimming I used some touch up paint along the edge then taped off along the edge and sprayed the inner fender area exposed from cutting the plastic with some spray on truck bed liner I got from Advance Auto Parts. You can see it on my rockers as well, I sprayed it on there before installing the sliders.

So after springs, shocks, torsion bar, and the bumpstops was there anything left that you had to do besides get an alignment?

Thats pretty much it. The splitter for the rear brake line where it attaches to the axle needs extended but if you buy the kit it comes with an extender. And the manual hubs. If you are going to do almost all on road the manual hubs will be well worth it. Will keep your cvs from turning all the time even in 2wd so they dont wear out. Also reduces the drag and makes turning easier. Dont know if you are in the denver area but I took mine to Stans Alignment on colfax. They specialize in aligning lifted vehicles.

Front shocks should be stock length since the amount of travel doesnt change, just the position they are at at rest. Rear ones should be longer. My front shocks are rancho 99214 which is stock length and rear are rancho 99179 which are longer.

PS: nice rock sliders

thx, I got them from Rocky Road.

If you're going to be doing a lot of highway driving over our mountains, but with very little offroading, I don't believe I'd put a tire on there as big as a 32 nearly 33". You will notice a loss in power that's not necessary if you're not going to be doing any off-roading.

I too live in Colorado and drive those mountains a lot, I'm running 32" tires too, but we get off the beaten path a lot. I would not run 32's if we didn't....no need for the excess tire mass

If you're going to be doing a lot of highway driving over our mountains, but with very little offroading, I don't believe I'd put a tire on there as big as a 32 nearly 33". You will notice a loss in power that's not necessary if you're not going to be doing any off-roading.

I too live in Colorado and drive those mountains a lot, I'm running 32" tires too, but we get off the beaten path a lot. I would not run 32's if we didn't....no need for the excess tire mass

I was a little worried about power... How about 31/10.50? I figure that they'd look a bit funny with a 3" lift, so what would be the best way to make it more like 1.5"-2" of lift? New springs for the back or just some spacers? I assume that in the front, I can just adjust the torsion bar less than I would have for 3.

Thanks a lot; you guys are beyond helpful.

Really doesnt look too bad with smaller tires and a lift. Here is mine with 3" lift and 30x9.50 on stock rims..

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/Gizmo420/Rodeo%20blackout/Img_0354e.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/Gizmo420/Rodeo%20blackout/Img_0355e.jpg
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c337/Gizmo420/Rodeo%20blackout/Img_0358e.jpg

I drove it that way for a year before getting the new wheels and 32s.