Chaparral vs John Deere: A Build-Off Challenge

skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
I really only have a couple of vintage sleds left in the current inventory that I have tagged as projects I’d like to get done. As I was weighing which one might be the next project, it hit me: “Why not try to do a build-off challenge with both this season?”

This is a bold goal on my part because history doesn’t provide a warm feeling of success. It has typically taken at least a year to finish one project and I think the 72 Chaparral took over two.

But that’s the plan and I’m sticking with it. I do have a couple of things in my favor: First, both sleds ran and were rideable last spring. Second, neither sled needs anything done that I shouldn’t be able to handle so I won’t need to wait on something to be done outside of the shop. Based on past experience, that could save over a month.

The two sleds, the 77 John Deere Cyclone and the 74 Chaparral SSX, are perfect for what I was looking for in a build thread this season. The Cyclone is basically the same model I did last year (but in stock trim this time) so the interest factor isn’t as high but it’s pretty rough so the challenge factor is up there. The SSX is in better shape and probably won’t be as much of a challenge but it is a unique model and my first experience with a liquid cooled vintage sled so it should be interesting work.

The cool thing is that, if by some miracle, I get both finished, you all will be able to voice your opinion on which one you like better.

I’ve posted a couple of photos of these sleds in the past but I'll post a couple here for reference as a starting point.

IMG_3147_1.jpg

IMG_3795_1.jpg
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Gary, I think I'm gonna need a bigger refrigerator.

hermie said:
Looks like the chap is in pretty good shape.
Click to expand...

I think I got lucky to find this one at a fair price. 95% of the work will be cosmetic, which is the fun stuff for me. I will tear it down some, as the hood and pan both need some repair but I see no need to pull the motor. I’m also hoping to not have to pull the rear suspension and track. Skis will have to be blasted and painted, which is pretty standard procedure.

The previous owner only put it back together enough to get it running after he swapped in the new motor and converted it to round slide carbs, so several things need to be re-installed or mounted properly.

Other than that, it’s basically paint, detailing, and reassembly. Sounds so easy, right?
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Easier said than done most likely lol. You've been down this road a few times & are well versed in the process. The Chaparral is the last year manufactured in 1974 & is in pretty sweet condition as it sits. The only thing I would improve would be the seat. As usual, this will be a fun thread to follow & look forward to it. 👍
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
Mezz, when you say “improve the seat” I’m assuming you mean in function. If so, you’ll get no argument from me there. When I put that nice, thick Liqudator style seat on the Cyclone last year it was like sitting on a completely different sled. The same could be said for the Mutt, for which I added 3” of foam base to the seat.

Even though it will still be a stock seat configuration, I’m going to stay with the seat that came on the sled. The previous owner had it reupholstered and the upholsterer stitched in a nice little extra touch on the seat. I think the Chaparral logo looks pretty cool.

IMG_3931_1.jpg
I am going to add more mounting snaps and ditch the Velcro tape.
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Function is where I was headed with that. In your initial picture I had not noticed the stitching on the top of the seat. No offense, It just looks like it needs more cushion, just my .02.
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
mezz said:
Function is where I was headed with that. In your initial picture I had not noticed the stitching on the top of the seat. No offense, It just looks like it needs more cushion, just my .02.
Click to expand...
Rider position does feel low but I suppose that if I was the age I was when the sled was new, I’d think nothing of it.

Speaking of low seats, last winter I mounted the seat and windshield I took off the 76 Cyclone on the 77. It’s funny how just a couple of things can change the look of a sled. A little cleanup and it doesn’t look too bad. Think I’ll keep the windshield but I’m going to replace the seat cover.

A final shot before the start of disassembly.
IMG_3723_1.jpg
 
E

euphoric1

Well-known member
"the age I was when the sled was new, I'd think nothing of it" how true is that statement, think of all the creature comforts and accessories you can set up a sled with today and the focus by some with LED lights, push button suspension, GPS and so on and so on. grooming technology that wasnt even a wet dream back in those days and guess what... we still had fun and as you put it... we thought nothing of it! crazy if you think about it and that same statement goes for many things today that we just take for granted and somehow managed without back in the day.
 
Last edited:
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Were there different seat configurations? Here is a picture of one of many that I found. Some had seats like the one pictured & some had a wedge. Chaparral SSX - 1974.jpg
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
mezz said:
Were there different seat configurations? Here is a picture of one of many that I found. Some had seats like the one pictured & some had a wedge. View attachment 71418
Click to expand...

There were two basic configurations. The SS models had the wedge seat while the non-SS Firebirds and the Thunderbirds had seats like the one in the photo. The Thunderbird also had an under-seat storage compartment. As was the case with many sleds of the day, I think it held about 24 cans.
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
mspease said:
Awesome news! I will be following the builds for sure. Can't wait.
Click to expand...

heckler56 said:
I am excited to watch. Popcorn on order. All kidding aside, I am excited to watch these develop!
Click to expand...

Settle into a comfortable chair guys, it’s likely to be a long run, with an as yet to be written ending.

I hope it’s OK but I plan to get down into the details a little more on this project with a lot of photos. There may be someone out there that is contemplating their first vintage sled project and those extra details may save them a little time and trouble. Also, in the past I’ve omitted some things, thinking they weren’t very interesting enough to include but that’s probably not for me to decide.

I must be getting exited about the project because I’m finding myself constantly thinking about it, going over stuff and trying to identify the critical points that will determine whether I can actually pull it off.
 
gary_in_neenah

gary_in_neenah

Super Moderator
Staff member
Kelly, I for one would be happy to see a few pics of your workspace. Some of the stuff you do is beyond my skill levels and I'm curious as what you have to work with. Painting, blasting, etc. Some of your posts appear to be in a large area, yet others look like a regular garage space.
Care to share?​
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
gary_in_neenah said:
Kelly, I for one would be happy to see a few pics of your workspace. Some of the stuff you do is beyond my skill levels and I'm curious as what you have to work with. Painting, blasting, etc. Some of your posts appear to be in a large area, yet others look like a regular garage space.
Care to share?​
Click to expand...

I’m planning on that being a part of posts on this thread, at least to the extent that it adds some value. I used to claim that all one needed for one of these projects was an impact wrench and a can of WD-40. Obviously, there’s more to it than that but they are essential.

I think I’ve talked about the size of my work/storage area in the past but some might be surprised at how small it is. Ignoring my wife’s advice to build a bigger garage, I figured a 24 x 32 ft. building with a 12 x 24 ft. shop and 20 x 24 ft. storage area would be plenty big. She was right and I was wrong. The shop is really not big enough and the storage area is packed to the rafters with sleds and parts.

At this point I don’t have the ambition to add on to this garage but at some point, I might consider another low-cost storage building, just dedicated to parts. Or I could just get rid of some stuff. What are the odds of that happening?
 
skiroule

skiroule

Well-known member
It’s August. The dog days of summer are here, the Outlaw Grass Drags are coming up fast, and Hay Days is only a few weeks away, so it only seems appropriate to fire off an initial project post.

The first step in the master plan was the Cyclone teardown. Having done a couple speeds the process along but it also gives one a preview of what will come apart easy and what not to look forward to removing.

Stripped (almost) to the bare bones.
IMG_3754_1.jpg

I probably don’t take enough photos but I do try to take photos like this because I’m sure I won’t remember how many shims go behind the secondary clutch.

IMG_3730_1.jpg
 
mezz

mezz

Well-known member
Well, your not wasting any time. Quoting a military phrase, "As you were".
 
Last edited:
heckler56

heckler56

Well-known member
I was going to write something smarta$$ like your an “influencer” and we are your “followers”, but, I prefer guys enjoying shop talk and watching a skilled craftsman at work.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top