honda passport/nissan pathfinder/isuzu rodeo?

[EvilRam]

Hey guys, I found a really good deal on a Honda Passport. It's a 96', 4x4, I don't have any other information. I'll go take it for a spin tomorrow or later today.

Anybody know stuff on this vehicle? I like the looks of it, and it would make a great daily driver with a little more fun than a Civic ya know...

This car is essentially the same as the Rodeo/Pathfinder.

I'm checking out Calmini stuff allready...Wow, maybe I should just not get another truck...

[jpvm]

Dude, get a Pathfinder WD-21 (1988 - 1995) way more trucklike (chassis), 4Lo (not full time 4WD), rear H233b differential (9.5" !!), rear LSD, 4 wheel disc brakes, VG30 E engine 3.0 Lt V6 with 153 Hp (1990-1995), instead of a girlie car like a Honda. For parts, a world of difference compared to Calmini, with the people of http://www.4x4parts.com

Good luck !!



This was mine before I upgraded to a new one :

[AJMBLAZER]

Note that the Nissan Pathfinder is a totally seperate vehicle from the Isuzu Rodeo/Honda Passport. The Honda is just a rebadged Isuzu though. Last I knew you could get aftermarket stuff for them from ARB and Calmini.

Also note that the Isuzu and Honda are actual trucks as well, meaning body on frame with a transfer case, not AWD unibodies like the Honda CR-V or something.

[EZooZoo One]

I’m not going to be lured into a pissing match; nor am I going to speak ill of someone else’s chosen vehicle… However, for the sake of accuracy, I am going to refute the blatant misinformation in jpvm’s post, item-by-item…

Quote:On 2004-10-26 19:51, jpvm wrote:
Dude, get a Pathfinder WD-21 (1988 - 1995)

You are certainly free to follow this advice, but before you do… here are THE FACTS:

Quote:way more trucklike (chassis)

FALSE! – The Rodeo/Passport has a fully boxed frame, with body on frame construction. --- This set-up is very stout, period. (I know, because I have bashed mine on all sorts of rocks, and abused it like all-hell - and it’s still doing just fine - and has absolutely no problem serving as my daily driver) --- I’ve been under a few Pathfinders and Xterras, and while they are admittedly rather well-built - I’d still rather have my Rodeo, because I truly believe it to be even more solid. (< An opinion / not necessarily fact)

Quote:4Lo (not full time 4WD)

FALSE! – The Rodeo and Passport have a floor-shift-lever-operated transfer case, with 2-High, 4-High, & 4-Low Range (and Tera Manufacturing, Inc., makes a set of Tera Low 3.07 ratio reduction gears for it --- I should know, because I have a set of them in my `97, and they ROCK!)

Quote:rear H233b differential (9.5" !!)

Whatever! – The Rodeos & Passports have a Dana 44 rear differential.

Quote:rear LSD

Optional Equipment – Check for code ‘G-80’ on the build sticker, located on the firewall - or look for a metal tag that indicates that you ‘Use Limited Slip Additive’, located on one of the differential cover bolts.

Also – There are a number of aftermarket lockers available for the D-44, including the Lock Right, Powertrax No-Slip, Detroit, ARB, etc.

Quote: 4 wheel disc brakes

Standard Equipment – Although I would recommend using only the OEM brake pads, because the aftermarket stuff tends to squeak and squeal a bit.

Quote:VG30 E engine 3.0 Lt V6 with 153 Hp (1990-1995)

Again… Whatever! – The 1996-97 Rodeos & Passports have a 24-valve 3.2-liter V-6 engine that puts out 190-hp.

Quote:instead of a girlie car like a Honda.

I’m sorry, but this one just makes me laugh!

The Honda Passport and the Isuzu Rodeo are the exact same vehicle, differing only in a select few brand specific options, and the obvious name badges. – They were produced on the very same a$$embly line, side-by-side, in Indiana… And brother, they were definitely built TOUGH - including a full complement of underbelly skid plates as standard equipment.

Quote:For parts, a world of difference compared to Calmini

I a$$ume that the above statement was intended to imply that there is only one Isuzu aftermarket supplier… If so – FALSE!

Personally, I’ve never ordered anything from Calmini, mainly because there ARE some other Isuzu aftermarket suppliers to choose from… And I actually know, am friends with, and have gone 4-wheeling with the owners of two of these companies…

Darlington Off-Road Products – Owner: Joe Darlington
Independent4x – Owner: Matt Brown

Both provide exceptional off-road equipment, and unparalleled customer service.





‘So, what do Passports and Rodeos look like in action?’

I thought you’d never ask!



^^^ A friend’s Passport


^^^ Same friend again


^^^ Another friend’s Rodeo


^^^ My Rodeo


^^^ Joe Darlington’s SAS Rodeo



Any questions?



Cheers!
Smiley



1997 Isuzu Rodeo
|| 3” + 3” || Lock Right || Tera Low || Rancho 9000x || 32” Cooper Discoverer STT ||
|| Custom 1-Piece Drive Shaft || Hella Lighting || K&N drop-in || Lots of trail scars ||

[jpvm]

Well sorry then bro, sadly we don't get the Rodeo / Pasports here in Southamerica and mistakely I thought of the Honda CRVs instead (unibody , full time 4WD). My mistake for having made you write the Isuzu history in reply to my bad mannered post

PS: My Nissan is half Isuzu, so I have many praises for the Isuzu mechanicals (I have the 3.2 V6 , Isuzu tranny and Tera low 3.02 equipped Tcase).

PS2 : As a very knowledgeable Isuzu owner you sound, can you give me a solution to the 3.2 V6 valve guide or lifter ticking (that no Nissan has in any V6) ??

[EZooZoo One]

JP,

No offence taken on my end… I truly hope that the same holds true for you, and that you didn’t feel as though I was ‘on the attack’ – I did get pretty sarcastic (SORRY!)

I just wanted to make absolutely sure that EvilRam could make an informed decision, based upon accurate information.

(But if you thought that was a longwinded post… You have NO IDEA! – That wasn’t even a footnote compared to some of the ‘novellas’ that I’ve written on the subject of Isuzus! )

Quote:As a very knowledgeable Isuzu owner you sound, can you give me a solution to the 3.2 V6 valve guide or lifter ticking (that no Nissan has in any V6) ??

Gladly!

--- There’s an Isuzu Technical Service Bulletin that specifically addresses the ticking to which you refer… They recommend using Mobil 1 Full-Synthetic Zero-w30 motor oil.

--- Others within the community have supplemented this by adding a little Lucas Oil Stabilizer, or some Mobil 1 Synthetic Automatic Transmission Fluid (or both)… Personally, I’ve had very good luck with a combination of Zero-w40 and ATF - adding about half-a-quart with every oil change. --- So far, I’ve only heard the ticking one time since (and I think that was probably more because I let the oil get about a quart low).


According to what I’ve read, the ticking is supposedly caused by a build-up of lacquered/broken-down oil deposits upon the valve stems. – I don’t know if that’s true, but following the advice of the TSB seems to quiet things down rather substantially.


One thing is for certain… The first time that you hear that God-awful ‘tick-tick-tick’, particularly on a cold morning start-up, it sure does get your attention! --- Mine sounded like there was a whole tribe of steroid-enhanced gnomes under the hood, insanely hammering away with their picts in perfect syncopation.


I wish you the best of luck with yours!


Cheers!
Smiley

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[thecountrykid]

I have wheeled both, And I like them both. But I will say in favor of the pathgrinder that With a 3"BL and 33"s i was able to score as high on a 30* ramp as my friend with his cherokee on 8"s and 36"s.
If my memory serves me right The pathfinder XE is the smaller base-ish model with 28" tires, Drum rear, and open ended rear. The SE model has four wheel disc, the rear LSD, 31"s tires stock. both models have 4 link rear IFS front.

[thecountrykid]

I was able to clear 33"s very nicely on a 3" BL, Also loved how the rear door handles were hidden. When ever friends tried to hope into the rear they couldn't find the handles

[EZooZoo One]

Yep, a buddy of mine had a 2-door Pathfinder for a while - and he did his level-best to beat the ever loving crap out of it… Now he’s a little older, married, and has a 4-door PF that his wife seems utterly unwilling to let him abuse. --- I’ve invited him out countless times, but he never comes.


Anyway, there’s no doubt that both versions are well-built rigs.

As I said from the beginning:

Quote:nor am I going to speak ill of someone else’s chosen vehicle…

I truly meant that. --- I might joke around, and sometimes even smart-off about Jeeps, but it’s all in fun. --- The fact is that I respect anyone who actually uses their 4x4 for off-roading, no matter what they drive.


But getting back to my favorite subject: Isuzus…

The 2-door Amigo (also known as the Rodeo Sport, depending on the year model) is every-bit as beefy as the Rodeo, and features almost all of the same running gear… It sure doesn’t take very much to get them amazingly trail worthy (for an IFS rig)…


^^^ A friend’s 1999 second generation Amigo, w/ 3” + 3” and 33” TSLs


I’m not sure if 33s will go on there with just a body lift, though - If so, you’d probably still have to trim and hammer the front fender openings a bit.


[*Quitting now, before I say something else that requires a 2-page response*]


Cheers!
Smiley

[Mr Joe]

I personally have liked the Isuzu... I never was a Nissan fan.