Chaparral vs John Deere: A Build-Off Challenge
- Thread starter skiroule
- Start date
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
Well-known member
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
skiroule
Well-known member
Thanks guys, it’s great to be back. That sure seemed like a long couple of days.
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.
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.
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.
skiroule
Well-known member
I didn’t get crazy on motor, just a general cleanup and painting a part here and there. It is sporting a brand-new set of mount bushings and I also switched the 77 motor plate that was on it to a 76 plate because the 77 plate won't work at all with the 76 chassis.
I originally thought the orange plug wire was something that someone just stuck on as a replacement but then I saw a photo of another stock Cyclone motor and it also had one orange wire. Apparently, at least some of the motors came with color coded plug wires.
I originally thought the orange plug wire was something that someone just stuck on as a replacement but then I saw a photo of another stock Cyclone motor and it also had one orange wire. Apparently, at least some of the motors came with color coded plug wires.
heckler56
Well-known member
Absolutely stunning!
Your comment about the orange wire brought a smile to me. When doing a renovation on my former RV, the schematics showed 5 different colored wires for the AC system. My rig came from the mfr with 4 blue and 1 white. Volt meter wasn’t entirely helpful so I just had to wing it!
Your comment about the orange wire brought a smile to me. When doing a renovation on my former RV, the schematics showed 5 different colored wires for the AC system. My rig came from the mfr with 4 blue and 1 white. Volt meter wasn’t entirely helpful so I just had to wing it!
I've had the sled for a while, just never got around to it. Your correct who ever had it before just basically used a piece of round bar and made wear bars from them. It has the twin pipes which sound awesome. I just recently got done doing my 73 TNT 294. I was hoping to do the Sled the Mac this year, but still trying to figure out a wheel configuration for it and my 72 TNT 292. Here's my 73
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skiroule
Well-known member
Gotta love the Silver Bullet. Beautiful sled and nicely done! Probably my favorite Ski Doo.
Looking at the photo of your 400 SS again, I like that it doesn’t have the trim piece that goes around the hood scoop. Kinda gives it the look of the early Chaparral race sleds. If you do restore it, I think it will look cool with or without it.
skiroule
Well-known member
A few years ago, when John still had his red RMK, he had to do an engine rebuild on it and I remember him running some of the parts through the dishwasher. Normally I wouldn’t do this but it seemed to work for him and I thought the clutch would be a good candidate for the process.
I did clean it up a little first and after that, ran it through a quick cycle in the dishwasher. It did go from grimy to not as grimy.
The new rear flap needed to be trimmed to fit the bumper modification (nothing like taking a jigsaw to a $125 snow flap). But it all worked out and looks almost like factory. The tunnel stripes also got applied and were the last thing to get done while the sled is on the table so the plan is to pull the sled off tomorrow. This should be the last shot of the sled on the table.
I did clean it up a little first and after that, ran it through a quick cycle in the dishwasher. It did go from grimy to not as grimy.
The new rear flap needed to be trimmed to fit the bumper modification (nothing like taking a jigsaw to a $125 snow flap). But it all worked out and looks almost like factory. The tunnel stripes also got applied and were the last thing to get done while the sled is on the table so the plan is to pull the sled off tomorrow. This should be the last shot of the sled on the table.
skiroule
Well-known member
Merry Christmas everyone 
Posting a little earlier than usual today since I’m knocking off early for Christmas eve.
Things moved along fairly quickly once I got the sled off the table and onto the lift. This shot looks like a scene from a Cheech and Chong movie. It fired right up and seems to run good right out of the gate. Don’t think it will need much tweaking.
After the smoke (mostly) cleared, it was back on the lift so I can finish a few loose ends and the remaining details.
We’ll be spending a quiet Christmas at home but will head out next week to see kids, grandkids, And grand-dogs. Hoping everyone has a great Christmas however you choose to spend it!
Posting a little earlier than usual today since I’m knocking off early for Christmas eve.
Things moved along fairly quickly once I got the sled off the table and onto the lift. This shot looks like a scene from a Cheech and Chong movie. It fired right up and seems to run good right out of the gate. Don’t think it will need much tweaking.
After the smoke (mostly) cleared, it was back on the lift so I can finish a few loose ends and the remaining details.
We’ll be spending a quiet Christmas at home but will head out next week to see kids, grandkids, And grand-dogs. Hoping everyone has a great Christmas however you choose to spend it!
