Rough riding 99 Rodeo

We have a 99 Isuzu Rodeo which has always had a stiff ride, but lately it seems to be getting worse. Anyone in the back seat takes quite a beating. It has 160,000 miles and I tried changing the back shocks with no improvements. Any ideas or suggestions?

What shocks do you have on there?

How rough or smooth a vehicle rides has little to do with the shock absorbers. The shocks are there to dampen suspension movement and keep the tires on the ground over bumps. The springs are what's the key here, although, I don't know how your springs could have gotten stiffer. The only thing I can think of is that your springs are sagging and your hitting the suspension stops.

How rough or smooth a vehicle rides has little to do with the shock absorbers.

This hasn't been my experience. When I had the Tokico trekmaster shocks put on, immediately my Rodeo road like a H1 TANK!....When I put the Gabriel Sport Master shocks on, the truck instantly road much nicer - nothing else was done at that time.

The Tokico's only made it a few months before I parted with them, couldn't STAND it.

I know they had NAPA's name on them and were suppose to be their best. I think the salesman said they were made by Monroe.

Shocks can variate in stiffness though, and without knowing which one's you have for sure, I can't really say.

I would look at other things, too, i.e. springs

Do you have new/old tires on there?

my rodeo was the same all 4 monroe sensatracks and added helper leafs in the rear springs did the job for me...

This hasn't been my experience. When I had the Tokico trekmaster shocks put on, immediately my Rodeo road like a H1 TANK!....When I put the Gabriel Sport Master shocks on, the truck instantly road much nicer - nothing else was done at that time.

The Tokico's only made it a few months before I parted with them, couldn't STAND it.


Sorry. Should have specified my statement applies to stock vehicles. Aftermarket is a whole different thing.

The tires are Michelin X-Terrain with about 20,000 on them. If the springs are wearing out, wouldn't they be sagging and the rear of the car be lower?
That is not the case. I can jump on the hitch (250lbs) and it hardly compresses at all.

Hopefully those with a 2nd generation Rodeo can chime in, sorry, I have a 1st gen Rodeo, and my rear's a bit different. I have leaf springs, and yes, if mine were to be wearing out the rear would sag a bit, but, they would also make my rear ride rougher.

The 1st gen's, I think, are rougher riding anyways.

Another thought, are you sure your truck's not already ON the bumpstops.

You're just gonna have to crawl under there and look for anything out of the ordinary. Only thing I can think of is its either already sitting on the bump stops or your shocks are bent.

Even with the OME 912 springs which are quite a bit stiffer then stock the back of mine will drop a bit if I just stand on the rear bumper. And I only weigh 150 lbs.