We regrettably left the third page out of Joe Rainville’s article on the 400 snowmobile in our October issue. Here it is.
Lindner ’72 JD400 bogies installed: With the front and rear track axles installed, next up is installing the six trailing arm bogie assemblies. The ’72-’73 units had clamp on the center shaft using a two-piece clamp, plus a directional spring and bushing at each end and two “JD”stamped carriage head bolts to hold it together. It’s challenging to install, and a helper here makes life a lot easier. But doing it upside down is a much better choice than trying to install them with the machine on the side or right side up.
Lindner ’72 JD400 bogies installed: With the front and rear track axles installed, next up is installing the six trailing arm bogie assemblies. The ’72-’73 units had clamp on the center shaft using a two-piece clamp, plus a directional spring and bushing at each end and two “JD”stamped carriage head bolts to hold it together. It’s challenging to install, and a helper here makes life a lot easier. But doing it upside down is a much better choice than trying to install them with the machine on the side or right side up.
Lindner ’72 JD400 motor and steering: With the machine right side up, the steering spindles and skis could easily be slid into place. Brian had also found an NOS chrome front bumper that was unique to the ’72’s and bolted that into place. The restored motor was also dropped onto the power unit at this time. It should be noted that it’s best to insert the motor mount though the tunnel before the track goes in.
Lindner ’72 JD400 chaincase and clutches: The Salsbury 780 drive clutch was built from all NOS parts, so it’s basically a new piece. Years of collecting paid off again. The larger diameter driven clutch was reconditioned with NOS parts on top of the original sheaves.
Lindner ’72 JD400 fuel tank installed: The original muffler was in good shape luckily, as the unique ’72 unit is very hard to find in good used or NOS condition. So Brian repainted the original and bolted it back in. Also fortunate was that the green fuel tank was not rusted through and could be restored and re-used. The ’72 tank is at least the same as the silver ’73-’74 tanks minus the color. Brian also installed the optional electric start kit he located NOS and optional ski-shock kit, too.
Lindner ’72 JD400 hood: Despite the undercarriage taking a beating, the original hood was in decent shape on the Lindner machine. A little light body work on the nicks and scratches took care of it before the final layer of JD green was laid down. The ’72 flip up grill was painted gloss black and the “John Deere” across the front was re-lettered in vinyl graphics to give it that like new appearance.
Lindner ’72 JD400 tail light and seat: The unique rear grab bar was restorable for this resto, but the plastic tail light was NOS, as was the over-the-counter snowflap kit. No ’72 models came with flaps and the Lindner machine never had one installed until Brian restored it. The seat cover was aftermarket over the original foam, but looks nearly as good as the original molded cover.
Lindner ’72 JD400 complete: Brian was able to locate an NOS ’72 windshield with the unique chrome trim to finish off the restoration. After the sled was finished, he did take it out for spin, but felt it was too nice, with too many NOS parts to be made into a “rider.”
Lindner ’72 JD400 HOF: Since Brian has a small fleet of mid-mount Deere sleds to ride, he has kept the family’s 1972 JD400 for a show sled. He has it on display at the Snowmobile Hall of Fame in St. Germain for the next year, verifying that it really was a museum quality restoration.
