New to 4x4s, questions about my '01 rodeo - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

4wheelDRIFT · 08-19-2012, 11:00 PM

Hi everyone, i just got into 4x4s, i am used to small cars, i rallycross a dodge neon haha.

I just picked up a 2001 rodeo sport from an old lady for $300 dollars. just spent $700 on new rotors, pads and calipers cus WOW were they in bad shape. New fuel sending unit as well, gas gauge does not work, havent tried it yet but i hope that solves the problem!

anyway here are some questions:

1. is this a decent truck for amatuer off roading? i dont see a lot of interest of these here, looks like a lot of older ones.

2. where can i find a soft top!?!? because i still havent figured out how to get the removable hard top off

3. what in the world does the "power" button next to the winter button do? the old woman said it made her go faster to "blow away the kids in hondas" haha

BigSwede · 08-20-2012, 02:54 PM

"Power" button changes the shift map in the tranny, downshifts sooner and holds lower gears for more acceleration. Handy for towing and coming off of freeway cloverleafs.

pike2350 · 08-21-2012, 10:23 AM

Great little truck for "normal" off roading. I say "normal", in that most of what you find on Pirate isn't "normal" ..great for basic trails, fire roads, weekend wheeling etc.

Not sure how to get the hardtop off...to get a soft top your best bet is to find a 98+ Amigo/Rodeo Sport (not sure what year they changed the name) that had one....maybe a junkyard or such...the frame swaps over...I helped a guy in CT get some parts from a junkyard out here a few years ago and I am pretty sure it was a straight forward swap.

Swede got the power button nailed...it does the opposite of winter, which makes the tranny shift quicker to keep from getting the wheels spinning on ice/snow.

Gas gauges on these trucks aren't the best. However, usually they work fine, just not accurately. On my Rodeo, the 1st half of the tanks is gone in 100 miles, the 2nd half is about 200 miles....so I watch for the light and always reset my tripometer to keep track of how much fuel I have...overall though, it works, just not 100 % accurately.

You may have better luck over on planetisuzoo.com They are obviuosly more specific and have a broader array of knowledge...plus most that you see on Pirate are also on there, but not the other way around.

Sounds like a good buy...hope you enjoy it.

KeZu · 10-04-2012, 08:07 AM

I have a couple soft tops plus hardware to convert your hardtop to a soft top. PM me for more info.

These Rodeo Sports are awesome, I love mine. Mild lifts are easy. Mine is 3" lift with 32" tires and manual lockouts, softop and hardtop for winter. good all around wheeler and my dd

+1 for getting such an awesome deal, I bought my 01 stock 5 years ago for $5k

08-19-2012, 11:00 PM	#1 (permalink)
4wheelDRIFT Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Member # 226462 Posts: 1	New to 4x4s, questions about my '01 rodeo Hi everyone, i just got into 4x4s, i am used to small cars, i rallycross a dodge neon haha. I just picked up a 2001 rodeo sport from an old lady for $300 dollars. just spent $700 on new rotors, pads and calipers cus WOW were they in bad shape. New fuel sending unit as well, gas gauge does not work, havent tried it yet but i hope that solves the problem! anyway here are some questions: 1. is this a decent truck for amatuer off roading? i dont see a lot of interest of these here, looks like a lot of older ones. 2. where can i find a soft top!?!? because i still havent figured out how to get the removable hard top off 3. what in the world does the "power" button next to the winter button do? the old woman said it made her go faster to "blow away the kids in hondas" haha

08-20-2012, 02:54 PM	#2 (permalink)
BigSwede Registered User Join Date: Jun 2003 Member # 20752 Location: Minnesota Posts: 310	"Power" button changes the shift map in the tranny, downshifts sooner and holds lower gears for more acceleration. Handy for towing and coming off of freeway cloverleafs. __________________ Steve Carlson 95 Trooper LS - 35s, ARBs & 5.38s

08-21-2012, 10:23 AM	#3 (permalink)
pike2350 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2003 Member # 23507 Location: SLC, UT Posts: 161	Great little truck for "normal" off roading. I say "normal", in that most of what you find on Pirate isn't "normal" ..great for basic trails, fire roads, weekend wheeling etc. Not sure how to get the hardtop off...to get a soft top your best bet is to find a 98+ Amigo/Rodeo Sport (not sure what year they changed the name) that had one....maybe a junkyard or such...the frame swaps over...I helped a guy in CT get some parts from a junkyard out here a few years ago and I am pretty sure it was a straight forward swap. Swede got the power button nailed...it does the opposite of winter, which makes the tranny shift quicker to keep from getting the wheels spinning on ice/snow. Gas gauges on these trucks aren't the best. However, usually they work fine, just not accurately. On my Rodeo, the 1st half of the tanks is gone in 100 miles, the 2nd half is about 200 miles....so I watch for the light and always reset my tripometer to keep track of how much fuel I have...overall though, it works, just not 100 % accurately. You may have better luck over on planetisuzoo.com They are obviuosly more specific and have a broader array of knowledge...plus most that you see on Pirate are also on there, but not the other way around. Sounds like a good buy...hope you enjoy it. __________________ Pike2350 aka "Jonesy" on other boards Last edited by pike2350; 08-21-2012 at 10:29 AM.

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10-04-2012, 08:07 AM	#4 (permalink)
KeZu Registered User Join Date: Feb 2011 Member # 182549 Posts: 1	I have a couple soft tops plus hardware to convert your hardtop to a soft top. PM me for more info. These Rodeo Sports are awesome, I love mine. Mild lifts are easy. Mine is 3" lift with 32" tires and manual lockouts, softop and hardtop for winter. good all around wheeler and my dd +1 for getting such an awesome deal, I bought my 01 stock 5 years ago for $5k