In the words of The Tick:

[nfpgasmask]

"HELLO RENO"

As some of you may know, I have been wanting to move out west for some time (over 5 years). My city of choice is Reno, NV. Some of you might want to know why, as I have heard a lot of people say they don't care for Reno. But for me, its perfectly situated inbetween so many AWESOME places. I can get to several nice locations in California, quite easily, and without having to LIVE in California. I can get to Tahoe in an hour. I am closer to Utah, Idaho and a slough of other breath-taking spots. And in my opinion, Reno is great because it is on the rise, but not yet quite a humongous city full of traffic and filth and all of the things I long to get away from in Chicago. Plus, its not like Vegas or Phoenix with the sickening heat most of the year...

This week, I landed a job. All that is left for me to do is call back and say "yes".

Now, onto the VX part. I am going to drive out there within the next couple weeks. So, here is a list of recent maintenance:

Changed the oil/filter/pcv YESTERDAY
Changed the spark plugs YESTERDAY
Changed the TOD/Tranny fluid and filter last month
New Tires as of about 5000 miles ago

Before I make this 2000 mile drive, I want to make my VX is in TIP TOP shape, meaning any and all maintenance needs to be done asap.

Things I have not done yet:

DIFF Fluid change
Engine coolant flush and change
Powersteering fluid change
Front wheel bearing repack (how important is this?)

Can anyone else advise more things I should do to my VX before I take the journey? After my Xterra incident and this past weekend I am slightly (ok very) nervous about this upcoming long drive.

Thanks - Bart

[biju]

Nice work, Bart. Congrats on the new gig.

oh, and in a perfect world, do all of the listed (and then some...) can never be too careful or prudent w/ maintenance. However, if I were in your shoes I'd make sure the following two were done before the trip:

DIFF Fluid change
Engine coolant flush and change

...but that's just me.

p.s. - so, any chance we'll meet up on your way out to Reno like we discussed?

-biju.

[nfpgasmask]

Hey dude, thanks!

I will do my best to see that this happens. As you could imagine, I have A TON of stuff that I will now need to do in the next couple weeks. I will try to make it down to Veldman's however.

Please send me all the details you have on the windshield. If I do this, i will probably need you to send me the cash up front, cause I am kinda broke at the moment, and I must conserve every penny for my upcoming trip.

PM me.

Bart

Nice work, Bart. Congrats on the new gig.

oh, and in a perfect world, do all of the listed (and then some...) can never be too careful or prudent w/ maintenance. However, if I were in your shoes I'd make sure the following two were done before the trip:

DIFF Fluid change
Engine coolant flush and change

...but that's just me.

p.s. - so, any chance we'll meet up on your way out to Reno like we discussed?

-biju.

[vxDAKINECHICvx]

Congrats Bart on the new job!! I hear Reno is alot of fun, so good luck!

[nfpgasmask]

Thanks! I can't wait!

Bart

Congrats Bart on the new job!! I hear Reno is alot of fun, so good luck!

[Chopper]

Hit all the grease nipples, Repack all wheel bearings... or replace them. Mine were rusty when the car was new! I replaced mine all around. If you've never serviced them , do it now... use a good,(Mobil1)high temperature, synthetic. Wayne

[biju]

If I do this, i will probably need you to send me the cash up front, cause I am kinda broke at the moment, and I must conserve every penny for my upcoming trip.

Absolutely. Just keep me posted as to when/where, etc.

again, congrats.

-biju.

[MSHardeman]

Bart,

Congrats on the new job. It's always great to be able to do what you want to do where you want to do it.

I don't know what route you're taking to your new home, but I'm with biju. If you pass anywhere near the Glenwood Springs/Aspen, Colorado area let me know and we can meet up for a quick hello.

Mark

[nfpgasmask]

Awesome, thanks man. I'm sure I will need some reassurance after the first 15 hours....

Bart

Bart,

Congrats on the new job. It's always great to be able to do what you want to do where you want to do it.

I don't know what route you're taking to your new home, but I'm with biju. If you pass anywhere near the Glenwood Springs/Aspen, Colorado area let me know and we can meet up for a quick hello.

Mark

[Mark B]

I love Reno/Lake Tahoe. I go skiing there every year in February.
I will be looking for your VX.

[nfpgasmask]

Ok, from my understanding, the Power Steering Fluid for the VX is actually Dextron-III ATF.

My question, can I use the same Mobile-1 Synthetic Dextron-III ATF I used for my tranny service in the power steering reservoir? Also, if I have a mech drain it and refill it, how much will it take in quarts? I want to make sure I have all the supplies needed for the mech in case he cannot supply the best fluids available.

Thanks - Bart

[Spike]

"HELLO RENO"

Thanks - Bart

SPOOOONNNN!!!!! - Tick

Doh!!! - Homer

Yep... - Hank

[MSHardeman]

No problem Bart.

I actually bought my VX in Chicago and drove it back here to Colorado. If you take the route through Wisconson it's actually not to bad. I would think the drive through Kansas would be a snooze. If you're not in a hurry, and you do take the Northern route, you can stop at the Petrified Gardens, the Badlands, Wall Drug, and the Corn Palace. Also, depending time you can stop at Mount Rushmore, the Crazy Horse Monument and Sturgis. The Black Hill in South Dakota are beautiful, and I'm sure some of the leaves will be changing by the time you head through.

I'm sure the VX family will be there for you, so keep us updated on your progress across the country.

Mark

[biju]

MSH:

Sounds like Bart might be staying at my place for a night if he ends up driving through. I have to wait and see from him if his plans bring him to our neck of the woods...

If so, think we could all get together for a mini meet at the same time? (Moncha, pbkid, MSH, Bim, vxDAKINECHICK, driver3, fuzzy, etc., etc., etc.) Hmmm... Just a thought...

-biju.

[nfpgasmask]

Biju, I am email you right now.

Bart

MSH:

Sounds like Bart might be staying at my place for a night if he ends up driving through. I have to wait and see from him if his plans bring him to our neck of the woods...

If so, think we could all get together for a mini meet at the same time? (Moncha, pbkid, MSH, Bim, vxDAKINECHICK, driver3, fuzzy, etc., etc., etc.) Hmmm... Just a thought...

-biju.