Datorfire is coming along

This is where you can post the story & photos of your John Deere Snowmobile project.
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

Getting close now
Attachments
IMG_4598.JPG
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
sledhead16
Posts: 1386
Joined: Sat Dec 14, 2013 3:39 pm
Real Name: Allan Campbell
Location: Saint Peter MN

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by sledhead16 »

that thing is looking fantastic
1975 340/s Speed Run Sled
1975 340/s I500 #161
1980 Liquifire SN# 4995 From WA Speed Run Sled
1980 Liquifire SN# 4996 From MN
1983 Sportfire
1984 Liquifire Deep Snow Tunnel 4/6 motor
1984 Sprintfire (2)

***Duelling Deere Garage***
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

https://youtu.be/sCBTDuH1UPk

A short YouTube progress update video
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Old Yamy
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Mar 09, 2015 10:28 am
Real Name: Jack
Location: Wisconisn

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Old Yamy »

Beautiful
Pretty amazing with what you guys do with your sleds.
Fritz
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:25 pm
Real Name: Eric Fritz

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Fritz »

Good evening, what sled did you start with for your project?
Fritz
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Jan 24, 2020 1:25 pm
Real Name: Eric Fritz

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Fritz »

Sorry, tried to edit to ask what model and year did you start with.
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

I started with a 1976 Liquifire. I’m going to try to post a link tonight if a short ride video.
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

https://youtu.be/2c_w7ZXnUTo

I’ve taken it for a few test runs. Here’s a link to a very short YouTube video of me taking it out on the trail.
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

A short video of my bro taking it for a spin at the tail end of winter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5G6EjIT1qk
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Bartman
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Real Name: Aaron friede

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Bartman »

I’m doing the same skid swap on a 77 LF. Do you have the measurements still for the skid bolt holes? Beautiful sled by the way.
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

Just noticed your question. I will try to get some measurements and will let you know as soon as I can.
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Liquifire 4/6
Posts: 1035
Joined: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:00 am
Location: Roblin, MB

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Liquifire 4/6 »

Measure forward from very rear top edge of the tunnel. Rear hole located at 37.4 cm from rear edge of tunnel and 4.7 cm above running board.

Same measurement method for front hole is 100.5 cm and 5.75 cm.

These are the locations for the mounting shafts I used in the 1976 Liquifire chassis I built my Dator clone on. I would assume they should work with your 77 model as well but am not 100% certain.

If I was doing it again though, I would check to see if it is possible (track-tunnel clearance wise) to mount the suspension ever so slightly higher within the tunnel. I say this because I ended up with just a tad more ski pressure than I would like for turning on hard pack surfaces such as a snow packed parking lot. It made it somewhat difficult to turn in such situations (steering effort is heavy). Though it did make it remarkably stable at speed on the trail.

I improved the situation considerably by installing an extra leaf on the ski suspensions which help the front end sit a tad higher and also lengthened the limiter strap out to its longest position and used the softest rear springs I had. Note: I am using the multi leaf style ski suspension which do accommodate adding an extra leaf. You could of course, not do that on the monoleaf set ups. I used a leaf from some old Ski Doo leaf springs and it's length was about half way between my shortest and second shortest existing leafs.

Believe me, this rig rides like a dream and even with it's conventional leaf front end, I would rate it on par with most late 80s and early 90s sleds for ride and handling.

I thought I positioned the skid as high as I possibly could without resulting in the track rubbing the top of the tunnel in some situations, but perhaps it could be mounted 1 cm higher without causing any problems? I know that with my set up, the track never rubs so it may or may not be possible to go just a wee bit higher. If you can't do that, it's not a big deal because my set-up does work perfectly well under 99.5% of riding conditions.

I should mention that the Liquidator style seat is also far more comfortable and shock absorbing that the Liquifire/Cyclone seats and that too does substantially contribute to the ride quality

Good luck with your build and keep us posted!
Peter from Roblin, Manitoba
Bartman
Posts: 14
Joined: Thu May 14, 2020 4:01 pm
Real Name: Aaron friede

Re: Datorfire is coming along

Post by Bartman »

Thanks so much!! Sorry I haven’t replied sooner but with the heat wave down here sleds kinda took a back seat. Once I get into this gem I’ll post pictures and a description of what not to do. Thanks again to you and all the rest of the community who have helped me keep my herd running!!!
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