Made it to New England!

[surferfletch]

Sarasota to Connecticut in 22 hours (stopped for gas, dinner, and a half hour snooze on the Jersey Tpke.). Three issues arose during the trip:
1) A roof rack mount broke as soon as we hit GA. As soon as we hit any bumps on the highway, it let go. Same as our trip up here 3 years ago, when the rack gave up at 4 am in SC. Merlin at St. Charles already has one on the way to CT for $20 something (as well as gaskets/seals for the tranny at the range selector and accumulator piston cover).
2) Probably time to change to the Monroe Sensatracs from the original shocks to eliminate the bouncing off the bumpstops with every frost heave.
3) And there is definitely a little first gear shudder from a stop when the engine and tranny are warm. I checked the fluid level and condition when I got here, and all was good. I forgot to check the level with the engine running and in neutral, so I had to pump a little over a quart back in.
Gas price - $2.87 or so most of the way. Connecticut is $3.15 or more. Ridiculous.
Mileage - 18-20 mpg the whole way. No stopping in traffic as we did the entire Northeast corridor, from DC to CT, from midnight to 7 am or so.
Cross Bronx Expressway - Can't they repave this??? Much better to drive it at 5 am, though!

The weather has been stellar and we hope the Rodeo gets us to Mount Washington and back without any issues!

[amigo-2k]

sounds like a heck of a road trip!

[Gizmo42]

If you were closer I would give you my sensa tracs. Decided they were still too bouncy for me, though much much better then the worn out OEMs that were on it. I just replaced them with rancho 9000x. With them set on 3 the difference in the ride is amazing. Unlike gas charged shocks they actually dampen in both directions instead of just compression.

I bent the mount post on one of the rears. Guess using extenders wasnt such a good idea.

[Ramblin Fever]

I'd honestly have to say that shudder you're feeling in 1st gear sounds VERY similar to what I've been getting since I put the 2" lift on.

My transmission is fine; however, my carrier bearing DOES in fact have some play in it - check your carrier bearing out.

So, your accumilator piston on your tranny sprung a leak?

[surferfletch]

Both places on the tranny have leaked enough fluid to moisten the bottom of the pan but not drip on the ground for several months now. I had no idea where it was leaking from near the gear selector until I saw you changed yours awhile back, Ramblin'.

I'd love it if the carrier bearing were the culprit. That's lot cheaper fix than the tranny, but at 164K+, I'm wondering...

Saw NYC yesterday (took the train instead of fighting Monday traffic) and took it easy by a lake in the woods in CT today. Mount Washington this weekend, but the Rodeo won't see the summitt. Gonna hike it!

I'd love to hear any other suggestions for shocks. I'll consider the Ranchos.

[Ramblin Fever]

Don't jinx that 164k you have; as I'm 10k up above you.

You have yourself a good trip!

[surferfletch]

Thanks!

[Gizmo42]

As far as shocks I've seen posts from ppl that like Pro Comp ES3000 and OME shocks. Most dont like KYB, aka 'kill your back'.

[Ramblin Fever]

Do NOT get the KYB's or the Tokico - they are both horrid!!

Surfer - the Gabriel sport shocks are fantastic on the '97 Rodeo's; not too soft and not harsh either, they're great!

[surferfletch]

Thanks for the feedback. Gotta get a license plate bulb tomorrow, too.

[Gizmo42]

To get slightly off topic..

Ramblin, have you decided yet if you are going to try shimming your carrier bearing?

I rembered the other day that I read a long time ago about why cv joint drive shafts are better then u-joint style. Said with u-joints the shaft speeds up and slows down on each revolution (cvs dont, hence constant velocity). The effect gets worse at steeper angles so that could be a bit of what you are feeling. Shimming it will reduce the angle and might help.

[surferfletch]

Bump for Ramblin' to see the previous post and update...

The Rodeo has been to the White Mountains and down to southern NH. We hiked the summitt of Mt. Washington (4 1/2 hours up, 3 hours down) while the Rodeo rested at the campground. We've also been to Boston twice (Fenway Park and Faneuil Hall). The Rodeo is dripping some ATF. Not sure if it's from the vent due to overfill or the 2 seals I'll be replacing when I get home. I'll post a couple of pictures when I get back to FL this weekend.

Any pointers on how to get the seal by the gear selector would be greatly appreciated!

[Ramblin Fever]

Gizzy - I never saw that post, sorry. Help me out here, I've never done a lift on a vehicle before, honestly - what do you mean by shimming?? I know someone on the planet mentioned he was gonna try shimming his '96 Rodeo first prior to replacing the bearing/shaft. But, I'm not sure what's all involved, personally.

Can you help me out here, describing what I'd need to do and the parts that go with it?

Surfer - Make SURE you are either manually downshifting that tranny to 3rd OR using the power mode on steep inclines, BEFORE you start the incline, or you will overheat that transmission - I don't care what anyone has said in the past, this tranny WILL downshift on it's own, BUT, doing it sooner and assisting it to do so, is a lot easier on it. I think!

Here's to hoping you are having a WONDERFUL trip - Surfer!

I must be doing something right, in this regard, otherwise, I don't see how this GM tranny could've lasted this long otherwise, we do a LOT of steep mountain driving with it. There's no sign of it letting up anytime soon - knocking HARD on wood!

I love this truck - it's *different* then 95% of everyday cars, you don't see too many odd-ball vehicles, they're all either Exploders, Cherokees, blazers, etc.

[surferfletch]

I'm with you on using the POWER mode, both in the mountains AND in the city. The truck can't seem to get out of its own way without it. In FL I only use it for highway merges, but I recall many posts about using it in higher elevations, especially when towing, and it's been helpful. And the trip's been great! Thanks!

[Gizmo42]

You can either shim the axle to rotate the pinion angle up some which most do. Matt sells 4 degree shims for that purpose. Or you might be able to shim the carrier bearing so it sits a bit lower and angles a bit to decrease the angle of the rear half of the shaft. Not sure if that would work but could be worth a shot. Would just need a spacer with a bit of an angle to it to tilt the bearing a bit. I've read of differing opinions on that, some say just use some washers to lower the carrier bearing, others say to angle it a bit. Do a google search for "carrier bearing pinion angle" and you should find lots of info. I think lowering the carrier bearing is the best and easiest way.

surferfletch Glad you're having a good time.