Holden Rodeo: the Isuzu pickup that carried Holden’s ute range

The Holden Rodeo was a compact pickup truck sold by Holden from 1980 to 2008 and built by Isuzu over three generations. For several years after the Holden Utility was discontinued in 1984 it was the only ute Holden sold.

Holden Rodeo at a glance

History of the Holden Rodeo

Before the Rodeo

Holden had imported the first-generation Japanese-market Isuzu Faster into Australasia as the Chevrolet LUV from 1972 to 1977 and the Isuzu LUV from 1977 to 1980. When the second-generation Faster arrived in December 1980, Holden introduced a new name, the Holden Rodeo, with the model code KB, which became the first-generation Rodeo.

KB and the gap it filled

The KB arrived just as Holden’s own utility was nearing its end: with the demise of the Holden Utility at the end of the WB series in 1984, the Rodeo became the only ute Holden offered for several years, until the coupé utility Holden Utility (VG) appeared in 1990.

TF: R7 and R9

Isuzu released the redesigned Faster in May 1988 and Holden adopted it in August 1988 as the second-generation TF Rodeo. Over its long life the TF took several designations. The R7 was the first major facelift, introduced in 1997 with a completely new bonnet, front quarter panels and grille, and it was the last Rodeo with chrome bumpers. The R9 arrived later in 1998 with plastic bumpers on all models, and a V6 engine became available for the first time, proving very popular. An optional driver’s airbag appeared in 2000, and 2001 brought updated tail lights with clear indicators in place of the orange ones as well as larger composite headlights replacing rectangular sealed beams. A final update in 2002 put the circular Holden logo on the grille instead of the “Holden” lettering.

The 4JB1T turbo diesel was popular in 4×4 models despite rough idling, and it was economical even with 4.55:1 differentials that raised engine speed at highway pace; by the end of the R9 it met Euro 2 emission standards. Later in the R9’s life the more powerful 4JH1 became an option, and it was the only diesel in the new RA because the 4JB1T could no longer meet emission rules.

RA and the move to Colorado

Japanese sales of the Isuzu Faster ended in October 1994, but the model stayed in production until exports of its Thai-built replacement, the Isuzu D-Max, began in June 2003. Australasian sales started in March 2003, earlier than in other export markets, as the third-generation RA series Holden Rodeo, and Holden retired the long-running TF at that point. The RA stayed on sale until July 2008, when Holden rebranded the Rodeo as the Holden Colorado after losing the rights to the Rodeo name following General Motors’ split with Isuzu.

Design and features

• Three generations: KB, TF and RA, all engineered by Isuzu.
• Only Holden ute: the sole utility in the range from 1984 to 1990.
• First V6: added with the R9 facelift of 1998.
• Turbo diesel: the 4JB1T, later replaced by the more powerful 4JH1.
• Long-running TF: fifteen years of production with two major facelifts.

Holden Rodeo versions

• KB (1980–1988): the first Rodeo, based on the second-generation Isuzu Faster.
• TF (1988–2003): second generation, with R7 and R9 facelifts.
• 4×4 models: the turbodiesel versions most associated with the 4JB1T engine.
• RA (2003–2008): D-Max-based third generation.
• Holden Colorado (2008): the renamed successor after the GM and Isuzu split.

The Rodeo was replaced by the Holden Colorado and filled the gap left by the Holden Ute. More cars are in the Holden collection.

Video: Holden Rodeo vs Nissan Navara 4×4 off road

Video by oggys offroading on YouTube.

Sources

• Holden Rodeo, English Wikipedia: generations, facelifts, engines, end of sales