Steele tunnel trailfire

[Skiwhizj]

Hey guys, Today while on a parts search I came across a steele tunnel trailefire. I now that this is not all that rare but it is the first one that I have ever seen. It is a 79 440 with a build date of 10/78 it is not by any means nice but it appears to be complete. I have a 79 440 trailfire with a aluminum tunnel so it seems odd that both would be produced in the same year. Does anyone have any info or knowledge about this? The sled can probably be had for around a 100.00$ but if its nothing special probably not worth it because I will more than likely have to buy more than one sled just to get it out of its spot. Any info would be great! Jamie

[lwb140]

the 79s are steel the 80-84s are aluminum 79s were built in 78 the 80s built in 79 and so on wade

[427cobra]

I think the steel tunnels will eventually be hard to find in good shape. The ones I have seen have holes..etc

If you can get a nice steel tunnel TF I think it would be a nice find.

[JoeRainville]

Hi Jamie,

Wade is correct. The 79 model year Trailfire, produced the the fall of 78 all had steel tunnel. This includes both the 340 and 440's. For 1980 - 84's, the tunnel was aluminum rivited to a steel bulkhead. And Eric is right, non-rusted 79's are getting hard to find in good shape.

The 79's, while not rare from the amount build (over 8,000), do not have the highest survival rate, and the are the first of the "New Breed of Deere" too. That makes them kind of cool in my book.

I hope this helps,
-Joe Rainville

[RAT540]

i too have the steel tunnel 79 trailfire
my wifes sled ,shape wise scale of 10 being perfect its a 9 with a coil over gas shock in susp.
what was the purpose make a steel tunnel cost? all my ealier ones all alum.

[80spitfire]

i too have the steel tunnel 79 trailfire
my wifes sled ,shape wise scale of 10 being perfect its a 9 with a coil over gas shock in susp.
what was the purpose make a steel tunnel cost? all my ealier ones all alum.

I was always told by an ex-John Deere mechanic and racer that the purpose of making them Steel was, they were concerned about if the aluminum would be able to handle the stress of two people riding on it at the same time; this, however, ended up being something that they didn't need to worry about. Atleast Deere was looking out for everybodys safety

[JoeRainville]

If I have my story straight, I thought one of the Deere engineers told me it was because they needed to re-use a huge welding machine and fixture that was purchased to weld the steel tunnel for the 73 JDX-4. Accounting needed that capital equipment used again.

If any of the Horicon members like Ed Kruel or Dick Teal can set us straight, that would be appriated!

-Joe Rainville

[400brian]

If I have my story straight, I thought one of the Deere engineers told me it was because they needed to re-use a huge welding machine and fixture that was purchased to weld the steel tunnel for the 73 JDX-4. Accounting needed that capital equipment used again.

If any of the Horicon members like Ed Kruel or Dick Teal can set us straight, that would be appriated!

-Joe Rainville

I believe Dick Teal told us that story at Robert Carlson's Induction party. The suits told them they hadn't justified buying the machine, so they used it for one last run. I've always wondered if it was used in the lawn tractor fabrication, or if it was just sleds.

[80spitfire]

If I have my story straight, I thought one of the Deere engineers told me it was because they needed to re-use a huge welding machine and fixture that was purchased to weld the steel tunnel for the 73 JDX-4. Accounting needed that capital equipment used again.

If any of the Horicon members like Ed Kruel or Dick Teal can set us straight, that would be appriated!

-Joe Rainville

I'm not gonna lie that's a way funnier reason to make em steel lol