2005 Holden Rodeo Engine ~ dewolfdasdesign

2005 Holden Rodeo Engine

JP, my sister owners as Rodeo of that age. Hasn't had any engine issues with hers that I am aware of. The only issue is it drinks fuel like a V8 driven by a lead foot. (Hers is also on LPG)
Not very comfortable to drive either.

Dales Cannon

I have had a 2005 dual cab diesel for a couple of years and it is now bequeathed to another. We had a petrol before that. No problems with the engine at all. It was really thirsty though. Synchros on 4th and 5th are weak as is the clutch if you don't treat it kindly. These are easy to check on a test drive, if the synchros are going or gone there is no such thing as a fast shift from 4th to 5th. The clutch will shudder and be quite hard. The rest of the car is pretty much bullet proof. The diesel (not that you are interested) is exceptionally gutless but having said that gearing makes up for it and we have never had an issue. If you have a tame mechanic around give them a call about the engine.

We have had 12 of them as our fleet at work. If they are maintained mechanically then the engine should be fine. Electrically they are woeful, over half have chewed batteries with 7 needing a replacement annually, c/locking, lights, stereos and the like have had issues or failure on all utes at least twice. Fuel is the main issue, the V6 petrol is not designed for the vehicle and is hungrythirsty. 400km max on a 60l tank, freeway driving, I got 430ks once by keeping it under 2500rpm at all times and stupidly engaging the clutch on downhills, its even worse if you switch on the aircon. Gas will be no better, unless its an exxy gas injection setup with head work to suit gas, expect about 350km/80l. They are farking uncomfortable too, suspension is crap and you need about 30ha to do a uturn. The gas may be an issue as the holden V6 doesn't like it (have a look how many taxis are holdens from that era) so check if the head has been modified for gas otherwise valvetrain/head disasters could be on the cards.

Having said that, the diesel my old man has, is great. Although it is a 2011 model.

I would suggest looking at the mitsubishi dc diesel they are as cheap as chips and are a great ute, frickin ugly admittedly, (we have been switching over to these as our fleet utes), and late models still under warranty can be had for nix.

Seriously I would stay away from the petro rodeo, find a diesel if you have your heart set on one.

Last edited: Oct 8, 2013

I have a "95, bit out dated compared to the one your talking about, however it's never had a problem with its engine, neither has any rodeo owner I've ever talked to (which is quite a few). HOWEVER they quit literally drink petrol, also reinforced by every owner I've ever talked to. They might as well have an invisible hole, you can literally watch the taco move down from full.

yeah I hate It.. the only redeaming feature IMO is the rockin aircon.

Which you can't use, cause the petrol will go down even faster.

I have 2007 dual cab, 3.0 litre diesel....it's been great.
Getting approx. 750km from 70 litre tank. Have been told the petrol versions are guzzlers. Don't know of any bad engine stories though.

I would def. look for the diesel just for fuel savings.

I remember those in the fleet days....by golly did they love the unleaded and the V6 autos 2WD units were lethal on wet roads or dirt - round and round in circles we go. And off road they were hopeless because they couldn't crawl so if you hovered your foot over the accelerator instead then you got boosted with every bump. Otherwise we rated them. The diesels were nigh on bullet proof and truly the pick.

The ones I remember best were the late 90's jobs...you could get a screwdriver through the door handle to pop the lock. Any numptie could do it after a quick show how.

Tritons are not much of an alternative - yeah they are built like outhouses but they steer and handle like a grader. Navara's don't do anything outstanding either but they seem to keep do it for ever and ever and ever.

Great Walls are simply a disease. I have never driven anything as rubbish as them. Even a Lada Niva was better.

2005 Holden Rodeo Engine

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