Dae's '01 Rodeo

[Dae]

Heres my story...

I was 17 years old. Just graduated from HS and my mom decides she doesnt want to come back home after our vacation in NY and WA. I had good paying job offer as a computer tech, so I decided to go back home.
Sold my Heep Queerokee, and inherited my moms stock 2001 Isuzu Rodeo, paid off and insurance for another year. The Rodeo was actually the "family" car since new. Lots of good high school memories in it.
In the prior year, the truck was retired for about 10 months when the transmission quit at around 70,000 miles. I then found this awesome site called "Planetisuzoo.com". I found everything I needed to get the truck up and running again.
I did all the work on the truck since I started wrenching at age 14. I got the remanned trans ordered and got the missing parts thanks to Jerry. I installed it with the help of my uncle and everything was back to normal again. The Rodeo has been great since then. It has never let me down.

After that major repair.... time went by as normal. Then I had a mysterious coolant leak. That renewed my interest in this site that I had forgotten about since I never had anymore problems.
I took care of the whole timing belt package and got the leak solved. Then I decided to stick around on this site. I now had money and I got interested in doing whatever I can possible to get this Rodeo in the best shape possible and to stand out from the rest.
I saw all the other members sweet rides and started getting alot of ideas. I also felt my wallet get thinner after each new mod that I saw. I pretty much replaced alot of parts, within my first year of owneship. Some that NEEDed to be, and stuff I just WANTed.
Bought a bunch of accesories and other stuff to kind of add my personal touches to it. One of my favorite interrior mods is using leds in switches.

Its come along way. Pretty much have it how I want it for now. I like keeping it stock looking. Pending mod is my Detroit Truetrac LSD carrier. All the parts are in my closet, just begging to be installed. That will "probably" be the last mod, and slightly bigger tires right after.

Now time for the pics. I got this thing stock... didnt have any idea that I would be getting into this "mods" kinda thing (Darn you PlanetIsuzoo!) . Its all been funded by me.. I wasnt born with a silver spoon. (to those that label me a spoiled rich kid.)

Before...

First mod = tint


Fogs and rear spoiler...


Door visors...





Now!

7 months after 2"lift, 5 after new paint job, 1 after new exhaust.

[black98rodeo]

Looks good, definitely a big difference.

[Cain64]

just keep it going, im a 18 year old high school student and have learned quiet a bit and can definetely hold my own, welding fab work.

[shooter]

That will "probably" be the last mod,

Sure, right, don't think so, who you BSing, no way ............

Good job, great story.

shooter

[Dae]

Thanks guys! I really appreciate it. I worked hard to get it how it is now and im pleased with how its all turning out.

[User Deleted]

looks nice...

Hey Dae why does your signature state 2wd but the photo of the rear has a 4wd red emblem on it???


is it 4wd or 2wd ?

either way one nice looking rodeo...

[Dae]

looks nice...

Hey Dae why does your signature state 2wd but the photo of the rear has a 4wd red emblem on it???


is it 4wd or 2wd ?

either way one nice looking rodeo...

Its a 2WD. The emblem was just for shyts and giggles. I got all new emblems as one kit, for the new paint job. It even came with "LSE" emblem's, but I just left out the "E".
On another note... I think my painters decal dude is crosseyed. He totally made the "Rodeo" emblems about 1/2" an inch lower than the "V6". *Sigh


Anyways... Thanks for the feedback! I actually stole the side body molding idea from your sweet LSE. I was also going to go with the painted mirrors, but I like the contrast.

[Dae]

Adding some pics with the tires that I got back in May. (keeping it all in one thread).












And last but not least.... My custom sticker that I designed in 5 minutes! Gota rep where you came from.

[jwood1016]

NICE! one of my favs. Hey do you still have those rims that are on it in the first couple of pics???

[RamAirZ]

Looks awesome Dae!

[Dae]

NICE! one of my favs. Hey do you still have those rims that are on it in the first couple of pics???

Nope, Those were from my uncles '01 Pathfinder, he traded it with me cause I had better tires.

I loved how they looked on the Rodeo, but after I changed my ball joints to Moogs, it started to rub against the inner bead seat of the wheel causing potentially dangerous damage.
The Moog upper BJ housing is taller than stock, causing it to rub, so I swapped the wheels back. Fortunately they had new tires on (karma. Lol).

When I got my stock wheel's back, they looked like junk due to brake dust. Lucky for me, my painter decided to shoot them for free

Looks awesome Dae!

Thanks!

[RamAirZ]

I like the stock wheels better, real clean look to your whole truck

[Dae]

I think the stock wheels look better too. They just had so much brake dust caked onto them, that I wanted nothing to do with it.
The pathy wheel's, look good for mall crawler status though, or for when I want some kool aid. They were easier to clean too...

[RamAirZ]

haha there ya go

[bek]

Dae, really enjoyed reading your story. And your Rodeo looks great!

[Dae]

Thanks bek! My Rodeo's been doing just fine, so all that preventative maintenance I did is paying itself off.
The last problem it gave me was a small crack in the radiator, but $100 later and its fixed.

I havent updated this in a while. But when I get a chance i'll update with more pics and a video of my flowmaster exhaust.

Latest mod is my remote start alarm system. All my neighbors were just looking at me funny.
Imagine a 50ft extension cord hanging out of a 2nd story apartment window.
With a guy under his dashboard soldering 26 wires together, in cold WA weather.

Heres a most recent pic.

[RedStar]

You know, I originally liked the Pathfinder wheels more, but the more I look, the more I do think the Isuzu's make it look cleaner. Good choice on cleaning those up.

Plus, you can't wear Adidas shoes with Nike clothing, it throws the Universe off.

How much did the remote start run you? I've thought hard about it, but I couldn't justify it, our coldest days only run us in the teens and those are few and far between down here.

[holger]

I do not know why you guys are obsessed with the wheels. When I drive my SUV I cannot see the wheels, anyway. Whatever is rolling is fine.

[bek]

I do not know why you guys are obsessed with the wheels. When I drive my SUV I cannot see the wheels, anyway. Whatever is rolling is fine.

I'm not one of those guys, really. As long as the wheels aren't crap ugly, I'm pretty much okay with them.

[black98rodeo]

Looking good AJ.

Whose black Rodeo is that? Very nice.

[94Rodayo4x4]

Looking good AJ.

Whose black Rodeo is that? Very nice.

whose is it.... i wonder

[Dae]

You know, I originally liked the Pathfinder wheels more, but the more I look, the more I do think the Isuzu's make it look cleaner. Good choice on cleaning those up.

How much did the remote start run you? I've thought hard about it, but I couldn't justify it, our coldest days only run us in the teens and those are few and far between down here.

I liked the Pathy wheels too. But it wasnt worth the problems they were causing.
Im sure wheel spacers would have solved that. But they wanted too much money for them locally.

I got the remote start unit for $100 on eBay. On other websites they are listed for $300+.
Installation was time consuming. It was my first time installing an alarm system and it wasnt too bad.
Got to chat with some of my neighbors that are like vampires and never go out of their houses.

Looking good AJ.

Whose black Rodeo is that? Very nice.

Thanks! Its my friend Toms Rodeo, hes from Guam too. It has 2" coil spacers and 31" BFG A/T tires, same height as mine.
He scored it for $300 cause of a bad trans. The 4WD works great, and its super clean inside.
Im lucky, cause he lets me use his tools and garage whenver I need to. No more paying shops to do stuff that I am able to.

Mine still looks the same as when you were here in December. Except I cranked the T-bars up some and got a new windshield.
Oh yeah, and I got a car wash/wax. Last winter/spring was pathetic. Rained almost everyday! Lol.

whose is it.... i wonder

Theres the million dollar question right there! Lol. But I really wish it were mine. I would love to have 2 Isuzus to my name.

[black98rodeo]

Yours does look good. It looks even better in person, and i've had the pleasure of seeing it.

Any updates on your 4wd parts?

[Dae]

Im still in the process of looking for a new place. All these land lords are being ghey, and asking for too much up front.
Ive been super busy with work for the past couple of weeks. So I havent really been looking as much as id like to.

bradzuzu says he should have alot of what I need. He stays 2 hours away. Same distance as that full front axle I told you about.
I need to get in touch with him again and see whats up. Just been so dang busy lately, and need a place to store the parts first!

[black98rodeo]

I hear ya. Hopefully it will all work out.