What's up everyone? I just found this site through a friend,and since I
just bought an Isuzu a couple of weeks ago,I figured I should join.



About a year and a half ago I had a pair of '87 and '88 Troopers I
picked up from my boss at the time and from a friend. I got them
cheap,and the one I bought from my boss was in mechanically sound
condtion with a newer engine and lots of new parts,but the body was
getting pretty ratty. This was when my friend offered me his '88 with
low miles,an excellent body and 31" BFGs and a body lift. The catch was
he blew the head gasket. However,the good engine was a 2.3 carb,5
spd,while the good body/bad engine truck wad a 2.6 FI. I was going to
try and swap them,but never had the time or the money so I ended up
selling both of them off. I really wish I had fixed up the lifted
one,that was a sweet truck...



This brings me to a few weeks ago. I currently have an '89 Mazda B2200
that I'm fixing up (air ride,custom paint/interior etc),so I needed a
daily driver while I took the truck off the road. Anyways,almost 3
weeks ago,I just purchased a 1991 Rodeo LS V6 4x4 as my daily driver
and winter beater. I got it cheap and it was sold certified through a
dealer,so I figured it was a good deal. I wanted something with 4x4 and
something with lots of room to carry parts and stuff for my
Mazda....carrying a 6' plastic bedliner in an '01 Kia Sportage doesn't
work too well....



So I bought the Rodeo,with 250 000km on it for $600. 3.1 V6 with a
carb,auto,pwr windows and locks,AC and cruise, and the interior being
in surprisingly excellent shape for it's age and milage. The body
however,has had some attention with bondo and a repaint. As Chip Foose
says "It's good from far,but far from good." Hey,I didn't buy it to be
fancy,it's just a cool truck and it gets the job done.



I'm quite happy with it,other than how crappy it is on freeways
(sloooowwwwww) and the **** poor fuel consumption,but it's a
nice,comfortable truck with a ton of room,and looks good too. I see a
lot of people taking a double look at it when I'm out and about.



Right now i'm just getting some maintenance done on it,having my front
brakes looked at because it's pulling to the left under braking and
making some funny squealing/chiping noises from the front left,and my
diff oil is being drained and replaced with Lucas and new oil.



Ok,I see this is already getting long,that's my vehicle story,so I'll
just givea little blurb on myself. I'm Mike,20 (creeping up on 21
oooohhhh,lol) and spend my days building seats for Chrysler and
weekends working on my Mazda.



See you all on the boards. [img]smileys/smiley16.gif[/img]

 

Welcome. Glad you came back to Isuzu. That squealing sound and pulling to the left is probaly a worn brake pads.

 

I had it in the shop today and turns out my metering block or
proportioning valve or whatever is clogged and I actually have been
driving for 3 weeks with NO rear brakes,just fronts!



So,$108 later from the dealer,I've ordered a new one,should be here
within 7 business days and that should solve most of my problems. The
front end is doing 100% of my braking duties. I'm surprised it stops so
well for only having front brakes,but my mechanic said that the pulling
to the left is that the left wheel is closest to the metering block and
master cylinder,and since only the front brakes are working,most of the
stopping power is being transferred to that wheel.



I think this Rodeo is a great truck,and even with a ton of miles on
it,I think it'll be worth repairing down the road. Simple to work
on,nice to drive and perfect for what I need it for. Winter,hauling
stuff and having fun!