Florida Meet Recap

[Joe_Black]

Thanks to all who made the Ocala Forest Meet and joined in the off-road fun. Photos and vid-caps are up in the Gallery under Events. Or you could just click this LINK .

Much fun was had in the sand and mud by seven VX's. Pat showed in the only Kaiser; Niv_D, Heraclid and Frank brought their Astrals; VX1 brought the only Ironman; -X- thumped in the dual-subbed Ebony; and I the Mud Dragon.

Although I camped Friday at Juniper Springs Campground and was paid a visit by Niv_D, the park staff wasn't too thrilled with the VX visitation the following Saturday. Much hassling was had on parking, gathering etc. Everyone eventually ponied up $4 for day passes and parked at the common area. After off-roading and subsequent washing we gathered round the spring-fed pool area for grilling and socializing. Then the rain came! After it let up we pretty much packed up and called it a wrap.

Back at the parking lot we attended to Heraclid's and VX1's rides which had the same symptoms as Frank's, who left early to make Ft. Lauderdale. Towards the end of the off-roading they were all experiencing battery indicators, plus VX1's A/C stopped working. After much tinkering in the parking lot and some jump starting VX1 and Heraclid headed off to AutoZone with Pat, Niv_D and -X- riding escort. Unfortunately, my "next generation" cell phone didn't work in the forest so I switched it off. After a message Sunday afternoon from Frank in which he stated it took him a day to get home I switched back on the cell. Messages from Heraclid were there. He was stranded in Ocala overnight with the same problem. A call to him and VX1 got voice mails, so let's hope they made it home. Frank said he had the anser to the problem, although we were pretty certain it was the voltage regulator. In any case, we'll be posting more info on this malady that struck three VX's almost simultaneously.

Hopefully we can chalk this one as a "thumbs up" for all involved. We'll be sure to post the outcome of our lost flock!

[Joe_Black]

Just spoke to Frank who used two batteries and an overnight stay at Winter Park to make it home. He's taking his VX to the dealer and will call with the results. As he doesn't have a PC I'll post his findings as soon I receive them. Still haven't heard back from Heraclid or VX1. Guys, if you see this, post up and let us know you made your journey!

[Jonnie]

I almost attended the event. Was up at 6:30am left by 7:30 (from N. Tampa). Reached rt 40 and rubber necked for quite a distance When I entered the limts of Lynn (?), it was 9:30 by then and I was really frustrated. I turned around and decided to give up (very easily, I know) and go home. I swear 3 VX's wizzed by the way I just came, but I figured I had already given up. No need to be wishy-washy.

Spend the most of today trying to back a bolt out to remove the starter in my integra with no luck. There's a lot more to it, but not for this forum. Bolt's stuck.

Jonathan

[Joe_Black]

Wow Jonnie, you just missed us! Just a few more miles and you would've been at the VX Mecca of Ocala, Jake's Place. LOL! VX1 even put his Ironman out front as a beacon for wayward VXers!

Sorry to hear 'bout your bolt situation. Just another sign you need to find a VX soon! Keep at it and watch the board for future events, we'll get ya in the fold soon enough!

[PBR]

Hello Joe, David and I didnt find the Autozone, we stopped at a parts place in Ocala and the tester said no output from alternator, he gave us directions to a Pep Boys, which is the only service faciltiy open on weekends, good thing to keep in mind for future, David went on so I never heard how it turned out. I think the ac probably runs direct off alternator output, so no alternator no ac.

[VX1]

I don’t know what you guys are talking about, I was at my cousin’s Bar Mitzvah this weekend. Offroading? I didn’t even know the VehiCross was a 4X4; the only offroading I do is when I pull into a parking lot.

Coincidently, I did have a slight electrical problem this weekend. I really am at a loss at what could have caused it.

(more to come after I get it back from the dealership tomorrow )

[-x-]

....hope everyone is as well and up to par as can be...

a little fyi type thing for you guys, in an attempt to cleanse my engine bay i was running a check engine light after hoseing down / cleanin up but after about 7 miles of driving or so its gone

so i guess i was the only one to make it out the pits unscathed

Cant wait till next time fellas hopefully not to long form now.....x

[Joe_Black]

Well I heard from Hearclid earlier today and he was still in Ocala getting a battery at PepBoys. I suggested to compare prices between them and the dealer for an alternator (V-reg is internal) and do what felt comfortable. Hoping to hear back soon that he's home and up and running.

So, out of seven VX's, three were all afflicted with the same electrical problem. I suspect moisture somehow got into what I hope is a typically sealed V-Reg and caused the problem. We'll know more after Frank and VX1 get theirs back from the dealer. Hopefully it'll be useful info for the rest of y'all.

[Tone]

Frank had called me when he got back and said something about deep mud? If so, make sure you spray the front AND back of the radiator very well with a hose (not a pressure washer as it could bend the fins).

You might also want to unbolt the bracket that holds the radiator to the core support and flush between the radiator and the AC condensor as that area is prone to blockage after immersion and will affect both AC and radiator cooling if allowed to dry and clog the fins.

Muddin’ is fun but the cleanup and potential damage are not!

[Joe_Black]

Thanks for the FYI Tone! We spent quite a bit of time at the car wash afterwards, but you can never get all that stuff out the first pass.

Spoke to Heraclid a bit earlier and he's home safe and sound after getting a monster battery. Made it 111 miles without having to switch to his re-charged original. Hopefully we'll have news soon from Frank and VX1 on their dealer visits to see what the exact culprit of the failures was.

Even with the problems encountered everyone has passed along with enthusiasm the good time had at the meet. I very much appreciate that and the efforts everyone put forth to attend. I really enjoyed making new friends and seeing the familiar faces again, and am certainly looking forward to the next event. Ya hear that ya Georgia/Tennessee boys!?!? It y'alls turn now!:bgwg:

[Heraclid]

Well, as Joe already knows, I'm back home safe and sound as of 6 pm today (Monday). The new battery got me all the way back without needing to swap it out and I experienced no other apparent related problems. My passenger window is binding real bad and I had to pull over and help it get up the last itwo inches or so manually before a storm hit. Other than raising the windows, I didn't run anything else that would add extra draw on the battery. I had a battery warning light the whole time but nothing more than that.

Funny thing is that the A/C came on very briefly at the car wash, and then went out again. Maybe I'd have been alright if I hadn't washed it out at the car wash. <shrug>

Despite everything afterward, I had a great time at the meet, which was my first time doing any real off-roading. By the way, that flash of lightning has to be the closest I've ever been to getting fried. The trails were a lot of fun and I particularly enjoyed watching niv_d in front of me hitting that high berm and driving forward while sideways. Just looked really neat. Joe had an interesting mud experience and PBR caught some air off a nasty bump. VX1 and -x- were wild men - a lot of fun to watch. Frank was a lot of fun to be around and we were all concerned about him making that long trip back and glad he got back alright. I know I hit some things a little off proper speed and thought I might get stuck a few times but the VX just didn't quit and pulled right through. I love the thing all the more now and have a lot of respect for what these things can do.

It was great meeting everybody and a special thanks to Joe for all the work he did to pull this off and throwing a great meet, and for being so considerate and concerned about everyone getting back home.

Well I'll take it easy now and enjoy some good ol' rest and relaxation and then clean the VX up real good tomorrow after work and get it to a dealer. Hopefully Frank and Scott will have some info soon and I can go to the dealer prepared.

[Heraclid]

Well looks like ya beat me to the punch Joe. Thanks for keeping everybody updated - much appreciated.

[niv_d]

Well, I’ve been waiting for this event for a long time and thanks to Joe’s dedication it finally came to fruition. Meeting fellow VX’rs is always fun and you guys are a great bunch. I haven’t had too many opportunities to go off-roading with my VX and am happy for every opportunity to do so (and sometime to watch others.. ;-) Sooooo, When’s the Next off-roading meet???? I guess we should wait a while to see what’s with Frank, VX1 and Heraclid…Anyway, I have 2 short (so I’ll be able to e-mail them) video clips of VX1 and X . PM me if you want a copy as I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to post them here.
Again great job and many thanks to Joe for setting it all up and next time maybe we can all meet at the mud hole next to I-drive …

[VX1]

I picked 'er up from the dealership this evening. It was after 5, so no mechanics were there, only the cashier. Altenator was replaced under warranty, but I had to pay a $55 charge to have it overnighted...not complaining.

Within two miles down the road it overheated, had to let it cool and drive it back to the dealership. I can only suppose they didn't hook something back right with the water pump. The radiator's clean, and I didn't have this problem before. (Used to it, always have to go back once or twice to get them to do it right- last time, they forgot a bolt and didn't fill the transmission back with fluid.)

I'll let ya'll know, when I know more.


By the way, anybody else get eaten up with bugs on this trip? I truly thought I might have chicken pox (again) earlier this week, but it looks like bug bites, especially around the ankles. It's either that or a allergic reation all the freakin' chemicals I used to try to get the mud off my car!

[Heraclid]

Yeah, no kidding. I remember thinking it was surprising how few mosquitoes were trying to have a go at me at the meet, but sure enough not long after I had itchy little bites all over. Not sure if it's from the meet or if I've got one in the house. Both, I think. I'm thinking something (?) besides mosquitoes got me at the meet. Hey, it was nice meeting you and thanks for the update. I'll try to get mine in to the dealer tomorrow. The guys in Ocala needed a day for the part and I didn't do it then because I absolutely had to get back to Jax.