Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

TASKY · Post by **TASKY** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:03 pm

That cat track is in Dennis Kirk. It is a now a conversion track from the original 16x121 3.29 pitch to as offered 15x121 2.52 pitch. TASKY

ChickenRat · Post by **ChickenRat** » Mon Mar 17, 2008 5:28 pm

Is this the right track? Dennis Kirk p/n 01406 ? This track should bolt right in to my '76 Liqufire?

Robb

TASKY · Post by **TASKY** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 11:48 am

Robb, that is the same part number in my Dennis Kirk book. The way I interpret it is that it should work I have not tried this track yet but look forward to doing so. It even looks like you could use the original drivers. I wonder what type of shaft the original Arctic Cat had vs the 76-78 John Deere shaft Hex or Round?

Tasky

ChickenRat · Post by **ChickenRat** » Tue Mar 18, 2008 12:26 pm

Another question circling my mind about this yesterday was that I'm not interested in making my '76's trailer queens but really decent reliable drivers. The rubber track I feel is safer and more durable than the cleated tracks. But if this track will in fact bolt right in, does that mean with a little modification I could bolt in a Cat skidframe of the '80-84 era and thus get away from 2-3" of travel and move closer to the 4-6" travel these skids would have. This would make the '76 Liquifire and even nicer riding sled for those who wanted to putz around with these sleds. And how about adding the high arc Snow/Sprint leaf springs to make a long travel '76 Liquifire?

Any thoughts on this one?

Robb

kenwaters · Post by **kenwaters** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:00 am

Robb,

Just use a 78 rear suspension and the single leaf springs off of them. The Sprint/Snowfire springs may not have the correct rate to handle the extra weight of the liquifire front end. The 78 suspension had at least 4" of travel, more likely 5-5.5" of travel.

kioritz · Post by **kioritz** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 10:40 am

Being you are going to have to drill holes anyway to mount a 78' suspension in a '77, why not just get a slide suspension out of an early Polaris Indy(NOT an extra 10 or 12). These suspensions are a dime a dozen and you would have a HUGE selection of 121" 2.52 pitch tracks to choose from. You would have to move your drivers inward, but overall, I think a pretty easy swap. Those "drop in" Arctic tracks are $500.00 new and I think you would be hard pressed to find a used one. There is an overabundance of used Polaris parts and they are fairly inexpensive. I realize by doing this mod your 'Deere' would not be all 'Deere' anymore, but in the quest for a better ride and deeper lug track I think it's an option. Just an idea. Jason

kenwaters · Post by **kenwaters** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 3:00 pm

Jason,

The biggest reason for not doing that swap is that you have to redrill the already weak round drive shaft. This way, the only "non Deere" component in the system is the track. It is true you already have to redrill holes in your tunnel, but at least you are keeping the integrity and reliability of the driveshaft. Modifying that driveshaft is not a good idea.

I have put a Trailfire driveshaft in a Cyclone with 2.52 sprockets, that would allow you to position the drivers anywhere on the shaft you want to. I have also mounted a Phazer track in my late model Liquifire for racing purposes, and had to customize setups to accomodate.

cyclone crazy · Post by **cyclone crazy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:09 pm

kenwaters wrote: Duane,

The Arctic Cat track I was talking about is for an 80-81 and 84 Panther. It is a 16 inch wide track, with 3.29 drivers which means you will have to use an 80-84 Liquifire drive axle.

'80-'85 Panther used the same track. The drivers are 2.52 not 3.29

cyclone crazy · Post by **cyclone crazy** » Sat Mar 29, 2008 5:10 pm

TASKY wrote: That cat track is in Dennis Kirk. It is a now a conversion track from the original 16x121 3.29 pitch to as offered 15x121 2.52 pitch. TASKY

16 x 121 NOT 15 x 121, it must be a misprint in their catalog

I500 · Post by **I500** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 6:57 am

The NOS tracks for the 80,s Panthers are 16" x121" and have a 3.29 pitch. These tracks are all over at swaps and salvage yards for about $125 NOS ....... These tracks were later changed by aftermarket companies in the 90,s to 2.52.

The cat track i,m refering to is part # 01-02-294..Yokohama

jayson738 · Post by **jayson738** » Mon Mar 02, 2009 3:12 pm

I know that it has been a while since anyone has replied to this post but I may have some more info that I have dug up. From the research that I have done it looks like there may be a even better track than the panther 3.29 pitch track. The lising for the replacment track states the following:
NOTE:
For 80-81/84-85 Panther this is a 15 inch conversion track from 3.29 pitch to 2.52 pitch and requires sprocket numbers 04136 qty. 1 and 04137 qty 2, which must be purchased separately.

Further yet listing for this track lists model fittment:
Part 01406 fits the following machines:
1985 Arctic Cat Cougar 500
1986 Arctic Cat Cougar 500
1987 Arctic Cat Cougar 500
1988 Arctic Cat Cougar 500
1985 Arctic Cat Cougar S.E.
1987 Arctic Cat El Tigre 5000
1988 Arctic Cat El Tigre 5000
1985 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000
1986 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000
1987 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000
1988 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000
1989 Arctic Cat El Tigre 6000
1989 Arctic Cat El Tigre EXT
1989 Arctic Cat El Tigre EXT Mtn. Cat
1985 Arctic Cat Pantera 440
1986 Arctic Cat Pantera 440
1987 Arctic Cat Pantera 440
1988 Arctic Cat Pantera 440
1989 Arctic Cat Pantera 440
1980 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1981 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1984 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1985 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1989 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1990 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1991 Arctic Cat Panther 440
1988 Arctic Cat Wildcat 650

If I am reading all of this correctly then the oem tracks that the models that are listed other than the 80-81/84-85 Panther 440. Should be a 121x15" x 2.52 with the correct or close to corect slide rail mesurment for the 76-78 cyclone/liquifires. If this is true than that would be the track that I would be searching for. I have gone even further to look at a camoplast aplication guide and none of these models listed are in their catalog ,which only has the more common 121 x 15 x2.52 tracks on current model sleds.

If I am completly wrong let me know but all of this makes sense to me.

Jayson

Dator76 · Post by **Dator76** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 6:21 pm

i bought a 87 eltigre 5000 track. i put the 340/s driver and suspension in it (same as 77 liquifire/cyclone) on the bench and it appears to fit. the track clips are slightly off center by about 1/4" but there is still about 1/4" clearance between side of clip and slide. track part number is 0102-317. im going to order clips and install it so in a week or 2 i should know more. 121X2.52 pitch

JDT · Post by **JDT** » Wed Mar 11, 2009 10:48 pm

Deere c-to-c spec is 12" and Cat is 11.75" so that is your 1/4" difference but it works peachy.

kenwaters · Post by **kenwaters** » Thu Mar 12, 2009 12:36 pm

Duane,

Yes, the track is a 121" track.

cowboy mark · Post by **cowboy mark** » Tue Mar 17, 2009 3:33 am

kioritz wrote:, why not just get a slide suspension out of an early Polaris Indy(NOT an extra 10 or 12). These suspensions are a dime a dozen and you would have a HUGE selection of 121" 2.52 pitch tracks to choose from.

just think if ya did this...you could call your machine a Deere Poo....lmao :lol22: