I've own my 94 Rodeo for almost a year now and for the most part like it alot.
I have had one problem and wonder if anyone else may have had the same problem
with their Rodeo.

The problem involves the steering column.  When going over small bumps I
could feel slight movement in the steering column as if the something was
loose.  The first time I brought this to a dealer to look at they said that
the steering column had to be greased.  This didn't fix the problem so I
brought it back.  The second time they could not find the problem until I
took the Rodeo out for a test driver with the service manager.  The service
manager told me that the looseness in the steering column is a problem known
by Isuzu and that they had a steering column upgrade kit that would correct
the problem.  They installed the kit a week later under warranty.  This kit
actually made the problem worst.  The slight looseness in the steering column
was now a noticable "thump" everytime I went over a bump.  I again brought
the Rodeo back to the same dealer and they said that the steering column
might need to be replaced, however, they could not do it until the Rodeo
was inspected by a Isuzu representative who wouldn't be around the San Diego
area for about a month and a half.  After hearing this I immediately drove
to another Isuzu dealer and asked them to take a look at the problem.  They
verified that a new steering column was needed and ordered it for me.  A
week later they installed it and it seems to have corrected the problem.
Has anyone else experienced a problem with the steering column in their
Rodeos?

Sincerely,

H.M. O'Brien

BTW, what conclusion did you come to regarding your oil usage?  Do you
still lose oil between changes?  Is it getting better or worse?
I have 6500km on my vehicle, and noticed that I lost almost a liter at the
last oil change (5000km since the previous change).

Craig Bird

When the dealer put in the new steering column they said that it was the
redesigned version.  The problem seems to have gone away for the most part,
but I still occasionally feel/hear a slight "thump" while making a turn and
going over bumps at the same time.  Also, if the steering wheel is in the
upside down position and I tug on the wheel it seems alittle loose.  In
the right side up position it doesn't seem loose at all.  I don't really
understand why it would be feel looser depending on the wheel position.

: BTW, what conclusion did you come to regarding your oil usage?  Do you
: still lose oil between changes?  Is it getting better or worse?
: I have 6500km on my vehicle, and noticed that I lost almost a liter at the
: last oil change (5000km since the previous change).

I have been monitoring the oil usage for the past few months and it seems
that it has gotten alittle better.  In the last 1000 miles I lost about
1/4 of a quart.  I was loosing almost 1/2 quart every 1000 miles previously.
Maybe the improvement is due to the type of oil I am currently using.  I
was using Quaker State 10W-30 and have since switched to Mobil 1 10W-30.
Interestingly, I used Syntec 5W-50 about 7 months ago for about 1,500
miles and saw very very little oil usage.  Most other V6 Rodeo owners I
have talked to say their Rodeo's use alittle oil too so maybe the it's
just a characteristic of Isuzu's V6?

: Craig Bird
:  

Hugh O'Brien        

My 93 Rodeo uses about 1 quart every 1500 miles, and has done so for
25000 miles.  This disturbs me because I  am used to japanese vehicles
never use any.   It means I get to add a quart between 3000-mile oil
changes, which is a minor pain.

BTW, when honda was looking at the Rodeo, they made Isuzu change the
steering gear box to greatly reduce slop and also go from high aspect
ratio tires on 15" rims to lower AR tires on 16" rims to reduce wander.

I was able to get good enough stability with my aftermarket 9.5x30 tires
by cranking the caster up to 4+ degrees, and by having the dealer tighten
the steering box per normal practice.  

By the way, do your clutches suck?  My Rodeo is the most awkward vehicle
away from a stop light that I have ever seen...  The 94's also have
a different cam with more low-end torque- badly needed.

What kind of mileage are you getting?

I have to agree with you about the clutch though, this thing drives
like a truck.  The shift is notchy, and it is impossible to smoothly
shift into first gear without bringing the rev's up past 1200.
The throttle control is very tempermental - a slight touch causes
the engine to surge, there is little control over the engine speed
below 1500rpm.   Rather difficult to manage in a parking lot.
Another annoying thing is the tendancy for the engine to give
itself more gas when it is close to stalling - every time the
engine speed goes below idle, the revs rise to 1500rpm as soon as
the clutch is pushed in.

Oh, my mileage has been consistently 17city 21hwy (for US gallon).

Craig