Arizona Fall VX Gathering II Oct. 1-2 2005

[Triathlete]

Your more than welcome to join in! We might have to make you stay 6 feet back though so as to not catch that disease! :laughr:

[AZPetrak]

Well not to pollute this site with Jeep stuff but I thought you might want know what has been said about Powerline Trail (Hackberry Creek), here are some quotes from AzJVC:

This trail is truly a challenge for the moderate 4-wheeler. Some type of locking device is recommended, as well as clearance and 31' tires.

The trail is a solid 3.5+. There are numerous rock gardens that cannot be bypassed. Plenty of challenges to keep the heart rate up. Don't take a stock vehicle unless you want damage and breakage. The scenery is amazing!

I know 2 guys that ran this trail in late spring, I will see how bad they thought it was.

As for me, it looks like the wife and I will be doing Broken Arrow trail the weekend before so I doubt I will be able to make this one. I will keep my eyes open for your next run, I have always enjoyed wheeling with this bunch.

[Triathlete]

Myself , Victor and Jeff ran it last Fall. It is a fun trail and I think 3.5 is a little high on the rating. It is definately doable in a stock 4 wheeler.

[Ldub]

An addendum just to razz the "Jeepies"...It's a 3.5+ for a Jeep, not as difficult for slightly modded VX's.
Ldub

[Triathlete]

In defense of AzP...He is a prior Zu owner and he used it!

[VCAMILO]

WHAT! a 3.5? ? ? I took my GF at time time there at night and we camped out a mid point. I guess our modded VX's made the trail seem more like a 2.0...

[Triathlete]

Who else will be there? Come on 'zonies!

[LeDonovan]

Thanks for the welcome Triathlete! I am a new VX owner and have never 4 wheeled myself, so I am feeling a bit uncertain about the unknown. Will my "no experience" status be a hindrance to the group, and are there any other girls going? Also I am a girl with not alot of truck knowledge, so what "mod's" are people making to make the VX more 4 wheel proficient?

[VXcaver]

Hey welcome LeDonovan! Here's the sad truth (I have to whisper so he doesn't hear): Triathlete is a madman. Don't trust him when he says "it's eeeeasy! Trust me!" He's totally insane. If you value your VX, please, for the love of God, don't follow him!! (Also, don't tell Triathlete I wrote this.)

And then more seriously, my VX is unmodifed (except for tires) and I can always keep up just fine. We get together to have fun, you know -- to see some of AZ that not too many people get to see. If the trail has rough spots (it will) there are always spotters. Sometimes we even trim the bushes to prevent racing stripes. (Or am I the only one doing that?)

Anyway... hope you can join us!

[Triathlete]

Hey! The doctors said I was all better now and removed the straight jacket last week!

[Mr.Quackers]

Well i too have had basically N0 off roading experience. i say "basically" N0 becaiuse i hydroplaned into a ditch the first week i got my first vehicle ,NOT with the Vx! (it was a 2wd jeep) ha ha (trust me, i have learned my lesson since then!) and it still looks i should be able to go. however the length of the drive and the use of gas itself would be a good strain on my wallet. its like a 2,000 mile (roughly) trip from here to there. then got to drive back as well. looking at like 400 bucks in gas alone for the entire trip. i would still love to go. or should i wait for soemthing a little bit closer?

[LeDonovan]

You guys are making me nervous!!!

[VXcaver]

Sorry!

Truthfully now LeDonovan... I've done most of the trips with these guys in my stock VX and only once put a scratch on my car -- and that was when my dad was allegedly spotting me and didn't tell me to stop until I'd backed into a giant rock! (Dads... they get a kick outta that kind of thing!) Wheeling with Billy Triathlete and the AZ gang is always a hoot but always safe-- we all love our trucks. Everyone spots/looks out for each other. Speed is not an issue.

Quackers - okay, that's a long drive. If you decide to come out we'll be sure to give you most excellent directions, etc.

[LeDonovan]

Thanks for the encouragement!!

I am definitely coming and I promise not to hold anyone up! HOWEVER if anyone wants to climb over 3 foot boulders like I have seen some of you maniacs doing in a few photos, I will be content to be the official sidelines photographer for those! I already have a scratch on my passenger door so if I actually need a spotter, tell him or your dad to make sure that is the side I scratch up!!

[LeDonovan]

I am new to the board so forgive me if I'm in the wrong forum. Thought this was a good area as I have a question for my Arizona neighbors.

Have only had my VX a month and need some direction about servicing. Are there special concerns that warrant service by Isuzu? I have never serviced at dealerships due to the expense, but wonder if the VX wants this to purr? I have just crossed the 30,000 mile mark and believe I have a lot that needs to be done. Also - oil changes - where are you going and what are you using for our extreme heat? I definitely plan on using synthetic but that's all I know.

Lastly - have ordered a few upgrades like step bars from Tone and a skid plate from Ron and wonder if you know anyone for installation.

Thanks for the help!

P.S. I have taught ballroom/latin/country dance on the side for years and love to barter services if anyone has been toying with the idea of dazzling them on the dance floor!!