Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

General topics related to John Deere Snowmobiles
sparcat
Posts: 51
Joined: Wed Jan 14, 2009 1:00 am
Location: osceola, wi.

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by sparcat »

I just gave away a good used 16 x 121 Cat Track off of a 85 Cougar, and a 15 x 121 Cat Track off of a 89 Cougar. I didn't know until reading this post today, that the 16" wide, would help you guys out.

The good news!! I have 2 more of the 16 inch wide tracks. One is on a 1988 El Tigre 5000 parts sled, that is coming apart this week. The other is on a 1988 El Tigre 5000, project I am going to be working on, but this track has one drive lug missing. I would donate them to anyone that is looking for these tracks, as long as you come get them out here in Osceola, Wi.
Will_jdx
Posts: 104
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:00 am
Location: Burlington WI

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by Will_jdx »

Well, I am going to be going and looking at 2, 77 440 Liquifires tomorrow (one runs, one don't). From what I read here there is no direct replacement tracks for these machines? But a Cat track is close. Anything else to look closely at on the 77 LF's?


Thanks,

Will
1974 JDX6, 1974 JDX8
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by JDT »

Will Kimpex still makes that track used on the Cyclone-L-fire- JDX. 04-546 is the number.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
Will_jdx
Posts: 104
Joined: Sat Dec 20, 2008 1:00 am
Location: Burlington WI

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by Will_jdx »

JDT wrote:Will Kimpex still makes that track used on the Cyclone-L-fire- JDX. 04-546 is the number.
So, that is the same track as my 2 JDX's? Nice.


Thanks,

Will
1974 JDX6, 1974 JDX8
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5620
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by 400brian »

As far as I know Todd, that is Kimpex DID make the track.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by JDT »

Correct Brian, they have stopped production but the tracks are still in the pipeline.

MFGsupply still has some and they have been seen on ebay.

I do not know what Kimpex is going to do in the future when dealers reorder.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
JDT
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Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by JDT »

Dennis kirk has them in stock also as there website shows over 10 on hand at $426.00.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
User avatar
400brian
Posts: 5620
Joined: Wed Jul 20, 2005 12:00 am
Real Name: James T. Kirk
Location: South Central Wisconsin

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by 400brian »

Hmmmm. You must have more juice than I, I talked to MS a month or 2 ago and they told me they had none in stock.

'09 Vintage Challenge Survivor, and I wasn't late for supper!
'10, '11, '12, '13,'14,'15,'16,'17, '18, 19, 20, 21, 22 Vintage Challenge Survivor !
72 400 restored, Father bought new in '71
73 X8 restored
'74 340 green machine
'74 X8 9 time VC finisher
'78 Spitfire in progress
2 '75 340S 1 running, one on deck
'78 LF 440 future CC clone
'73 Skiroule RTX 440, 500 mi.
JDT
Posts: 5561
Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 1:00 am
Real Name: Todd
Location: Milbank South Dakota

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by JDT »

Brian they (MFS) still have them listed on the site but I see Pat's has pulled them.

DK says they have them. Grahams may also.
Todd Schrupp

Milbank SD
jayson738
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:00 am
Real Name: Jayson Murdock
Location: Fond Du Lac WI

Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by jayson738 »

One question........if you do the cleated to rubber track conversion, what idler wheels are to be used? I know that the wheels for the cleated track are placed higher on the suspention to allow the slide rails to drop down to the cleat. Do I re locate the axle in the rails or find bigger wheels?
Thanks
jayson738
Posts: 23
Joined: Sun Jan 04, 2009 1:00 am
Real Name: Jayson Murdock
Location: Fond Du Lac WI

Re: Suspension and Track Swap for 77 Liquifire

Post by jayson738 »

ok so its been a while since I have done anything to this sled, but this past snowless winter I had some time on my hands and got the sled mostly finnished including the track swap. I used a 16" wide track from a 79 panther 440. One of the issues is a slight width difference which will be solved i believe with just a little use(the outer sides of the track clips are going to wear the sides of the hyfax about a 1/16 of an inch). The other issue is that the AC track uses center drive lugs and they rub on the rear suspension arm. Most likely adding an upper shaft with wheels should take care of this. The stock idler wheels should work once the hyfax wear about .070 should be right on. I could have used slightly larger ski doo wheels but i want as much pressure on the track as i can get and felt that the rear of the suspension would be lifted too high with other wheels. This sled is being built for vintage ovals. I will try to add some pics of the sled.

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