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Inferno

New Member
Joined
Feb 23, 2006
Location
Spruce Pine, NC
Figured this may as well be the best place to start. I'll post some pics of my project in the pics section but I wanted to ask a few questions and introduce myself.

My name is Greg and I live in good ole' Spruce Pine, NC. I recently bought a 1995 Isuzu Rodeo 4wd to replace my daily driver. And now I am modding it for both street and off-road use. I know most condone on this but it is the only choice I have at the moment. Any ways on the the questions. Now I already know that I will be swapping out the crappy auto locking hubs for a nice set of Warn Deluxe manual locking ones. Believe me I have tested the 4wd and well ended up stuck in the woods cause the auto hubs decided they didn't want to work. My own fault I guess for not giving the 4wd system a complete test before hand. I only tested them once before the trip and it worked at that time. So my main question is does anyone know where I can get a SAS for my Rodeo? A look at the FAQ about my rodeo supplied by independent4x.com revealed this...RODEO/ HONDA PASSPORT 1993-4 V-6, 1995-97 FRONT: ISUZU IFS 10 BOLT REAR: DANA 44 (DISK BREAK, USES 4.10 RING GEAR ON 3.92 DOWN) Now a lot of my friends that was into off roading back in their day has told me good things about a Dana 44. I was wondering if I should consider swapping out the rear as well or keep it as is? And yes I am a noob to all the tech info when it comes to gearing I have no Idea what the best setup is or anything so anyone that could clue me in there that would be great as well. I have went on a few off-road trips with some friends and once with the above mentioned vehicle until the 4wd disengaged and would not re-engage. I do TREAD lightly and have plans for a HiJack, winch+accessory kit, jerry can, cb install, and a lot of other stuff of that nature. I am not sure but I think that my Rodeo already has a suspension upgrade on account of it having more body roll around corners on the street than most that I have rode in. The vehicle also came with 16" wheels that I am swapping hopefully tomorrow for a set of 15" as that will help me put a set of bigger tires on the rig. I am not sure what the best size tire to put on my vehicle would be so I am aiming low maybe a set of 31's or 32's. This is all I have for now but I am sure I will have more questions as time progresses. And again any help on the above is much appreciated.

Thanks
-Greg
 
Welcome, if I was you I'd piddle with maybe a larger set of tires. I think isuzu may be like a toyota a have torsion bars? Someone correct me if I'm wrong. You might be able to turn them up for a lift (on the front) - Until you learn your rig. The rear should be stout for your use atleast. I don't think I'd go SAS right off the bat untill you know you need it.
 
91yota said:
how the hell are smaller wheels gonna help you put bigger tires on your truck?
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Just a suggestion from a friend of mine. I know it won't give me more than an inch but it will be easier to find tires for it with a 15" rim.
 
Inferno said:
Just a suggestion from a friend of mine. I know it won't give me more than an inch but it will be easier to find tires for it with a 15" rim.
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you'll probably have more options, yes...

but a 31" tire is a 31" tire...regardless of whether it's on a 15" rim or a 16" rim...

what other suggestions does this friend have? :D

Greg
 
bigwaylon said:
you'll probably have more options, yes...
but a 31" tire is a 31" tire...regardless of whether it's on a 15" rim or a 16" rim...
what other suggestions does this friend have? :D
Greg
Click to expand...

None other than swapping out the autos for manual hubs. Which was my first idea after purchase just decided to test the autos out the hard way.:D
 
That rear axle is good to about 35" tires but I wouldn't go any bigger than that, If you SAS it and decide on tires larger than 35's Iwould suggest getting a new rear axle but if not keep her, as far as front axle same goes let us know what size tire you are plannin on running eventually when you SAS it and we can help narrow down your options, oh and welcome ;)
 
Well I pulled the cap off the auto locking hub on the drivers side and found that not only had the front snap ring popped off but also that the locking mechanism has some what seperated and I can't get it pressed back to the way it should be. So I spent most of my day going from parts store to parts store to try and find the "insides" of an auto hub and no place here has them. One place told me they could order me a set of manual locking hubs for something like $195. I looked at him funny and then looked at my friend and said, "well guess I will just have to wait and buy that set of Warn's for $150." Anyways left from there and came home completely empty handed and put the part back in the way it was. I know I can't let it ride like that for long considering the snap ring would not go back in place because I could not get the front spring to press to its orginal position in order to put the snap ring back on. So I guess my new question would be if anyone knew where I could find a full walkthrough on how to swap my auto hubs for manuals.
 
Manual Hubs

For the manual hubs find a junkyard with some Isuzu's in it and swipe a set of Aisin manual hubs. These are the most bulletproof hubs out there. Isuzu switched from an 8 bolt front axle to a 10 bolt in mid 87 so look for any Isuzu (Amigo, Rodeo, Trooper, Pup) from 88-up with manual hubs and buy those. Expect to pay $50-75. Directions on rebuilding these if needed can be found if you search for them on Google.

-Chris
 
rodeo_chris said:
For the manual hubs find a junkyard with some Isuzu's in it and swipe a set of Aisin manual hubs. These are the most bulletproof hubs out there. Isuzu switched from an 8 bolt front axle to a 10 bolt in mid 87 so look for any Isuzu (Amigo, Rodeo, Trooper, Pup) from 88-up with manual hubs and buy those. Expect to pay $50-75. Directions on rebuilding these if needed can be found if you search for them on Google.
-Chris
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Thanks, I was wondering if the hubs from an Amigo would work. I came across two of them the other day. May try to buy both sets off of him incase one set fails. Now I just have to catch the guy when he is there.
 
Update: Decided to go with a set of Superwinch's from Summit Racing $95.25. Should be doing the install myself however if the wind won't cooperate I'll take it to a shop and have them do it. Would post a pic of the hubs but my hosting site is down for maintenance.
 
bigassedredjeep said:
what does the wind have to do with installing hubs? put on a jacket or wait until its calm and save some money...
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My drive way consists of mud, dirt, gravel, and mica. It's the mica I am concerned about a slight breeze and that stuff is flying everywhere. I will more than likely do the install myself. I really see no sense in paying someone to do a 30+ min job that I can do myself.
 
Update: Got these in late Friday. Everything around here was closed for the weekend so I am going today to pick up the needed snap rings to do the install. I will post pics of my install process once I am done. But until then enjoy these.

hubs1.jpg


hubs2.jpg


17 Spline Superwinch hubs from Summit $95.25. A much better price considering Advance Auto wants $167.99+S&H for the exact same product.

Oh yeah and sorry about the quality of the pics. I really need to spring out for a better camera.
 
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