Chaparral vs John Deere: A Build-Off Challenge

[mezz]

Nicely done! Kind of an odd combination of dash and headlight surround as one piece. That had to be a trick to get into place. You're making good progress between the two projects. Like I said before, busier than a one legged man in a butt kicking contest.

 

[gary_in_neenah]

The people at the Chaparral's Engineering were certainly thinking outside the box with some of their ideas and innovations. I don't recall seeing a dash with the speedo on one side and the tach. on the other. Nice fuel gauge too for that era.

 

[skiroule]

There was mild profanity during the dash install. Except for the small console extension, it is all one piece and you have figure out what can be hooked up after it is in place and what needs to be hooked up before then. As they say, it builds character.

Gary, it does look like a fuel gauge but it’s actually a temp gauge, which was also not very common in 1974. As you said, the instrument layout and square gauges were a big departure from the round crowd of the day. I’ve always thought that they couldn’t decide if this sled should have a luxury look or a performance look so it has elements of both.

Looking good! Stick with Chap, the heck with the Deere. My first Deere was a bad mistake. Should have went with the Merc Trail Twister!

I’ll admit that I have a soft spot for the Chaps. I like they way they look, sound, and ride. Conversely, most of the Deere line has never been a big draw, with the one exception being the 76 – 78 Cyclones, They are such a solid sled and incredibly tough. The 440 SSX will run circles around the 440 Cyclone in a speed showdown but if I’m in a cross country race, I’ll go with the Cyclone chassis.

Looking good! Questions that have been rolling around in my brain through this whole rebuild, where do you get decals and how expensive are they? If they aren’t NOS, how does someone find the dimensions to make a copy? I know for auto’s there are lots of alternatives, but snowmobiles?

I use a company called The Sled Printer, out of Slinger WI, I believe. I don’t know the process they use to duplicate the factory decals but it’s pretty amazing. The colors are dead-on and they fit perfectly,. They are some of the most service-oriented people I’ve ever dealt with. I’ve ordered complete kits, individual pieces, and custom work from them and they’ve nailed it every time.

Decal cost varies with the make/model/year of the sled and is usually in the $150 - $300 range. Let's take your "future" EW for example . They don't have an EW Kit but the SW kit runs around $150 and I’m sure they would change the SW decal to an EW for a small fee.

Next task will be to get the 440 CCW stripped down and detailed. Otherwise, all it should need is a carb cleaning and new jets. I figure it will take me about a week.

 

[C W]

Love the sound of a CCW engine!! Had one in a Scorpion Really enjoy watching your builds!!!

 

[rv245]

Skiroule, been following your builds, amazing workmanship. I also have a soft spot for the Chappy's and will be right behind you on restoring one. Here's mine a 72 Firebird SS 400, It does run which is good. We'll see how far I go with it once I drag it into the shop.

 

[skiroule]

Thanks guys, it’s great to be back. That sure seemed like a long couple of days.

Love the sound of a CCW engine!! Had one in a Scorpion Really enjoy watching your builds!!!

They are nice running motors and I’ve had zero problems with mine. Scorpion did use them a lot. A friend of mine has three Scorps, all with CCW motors. They are beefy. I don’t think I could bench press one.

Skiroule, been following your builds, amazing workmanship. I also have a soft spot for the Chappy's and will be right behind you on restoring one. Here's mine a 72 Firebird SS 400, It does run which is good. We'll see how far I go with it once I drag it into the shop.

View attachment 71811

Excellent! Great sled and great motor. Looks very nice, you really have something to work with there. Have you had this for a while or is it a new acquisition. I assume it has the twin Donaldsons, the best sounding stock mufflers ever produced, in my opinion. Should give that 400 a nice bark.

I am curious about the little things on the front of the skis. They almost look like an extension of the wear rods.

When you get to it, hopefully you’re going to tell the story of what you decide to do with it. I know I’m not alone in wanting to see what happens with the sled.