1998 Holden Rodeo LX 2.8 turbo diesel

Summary:

Top buy for a family, roomy and fuel efficient

General Comments:

This particular model is a 4WD Dual Cab. It is equipped with an ARB bull-bar, winch, tow-bar, snorkel and long range fuel tank. It also has a Carryboy canopy and weighs just over 2000kg in its street trim.

Although I was happy with the performance around town, hills and freeway work were a bit of a slow ordeal.

I fitted an inter-cooler from a Japanese spec 2800cc Isuzu Monterey (Jackaroo) Mazda Bravo turbo compressor housing and waste-gate actuator and a 2.5" exhaust from the dump pipe back. This also necessitated a small increase to the full load fuel delivery screw. I fitted a manually adjustable boost controller to keep the boost at a reasonable level. I did increase the boost from the standard 9psi (measured at the manifold) to a peak of 11psi, with an average 10psi under constant load.

The vehicle now has very respectable performance. The whole job cost AUD$1100, or AUD$500 without the exhaust, as I did the work myself. This includes the paint and panel work for the intercooler scoop.

The fuel consumption for combined city/hwy is 9.5 to 10 litres per 100km, and gets as low as 8.5-9.0 on extended hwy work.

The vehicle is very comfortable, given that it is a commercial vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th May, 2006