Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

MPH based on RPM?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 01:25 AM
  #1  
bull.nosed.dolt's Avatar
bull.nosed.dolt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
MPH based on RPM?

Speedo is inop, just got a tach from the junk yard. Have been just going with the flow of traffic, hoping not to get pulled over for speeding.
I have the the inline 6 with the 4 speed manual overdrive with 3.08 rear end and stock tires. Buying a speedo would be a good idea, but the gear inside the trans is stripped.

Can anyone tell me what speed they are going and what RPM and gear?

Any help would be appreciated.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 01:47 AM
  #2  
flyhound's Avatar
flyhound
Senior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 153
Likes: 0
Is all that is making the speedo inop. the stripped gear? Are you talking about the plastic gear at the end of the speedo cable where it goes into the tail houseing of the tranny? It is cheap part at dealership or junk yard, just need to know how many teeth on the gear. Give or take you should be running 2143 rpms in 3rd at 60 mph and 1607 in OD.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 01:59 AM
  #3  
bull.nosed.dolt's Avatar
bull.nosed.dolt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
The whole speedo cable was replaced, brand new gear on the cable, cluster was swapped with a known working cluster.

The RPMs sound about right though. Last night I found out that the new Honda Civics have massive digital speedo displays that can be seen day or night, too bad that they accelerate a bit faster than I can... Thanks for the #'s.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 02:24 AM
  #4  
81-F-150-Explorer's Avatar
81-F-150-Explorer
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 8,786
Likes: 28
From: Northern California
It's not too much work replacing the speedometer drive gear in the tranny on a 2wd.

You should be able to remove the tailshaft and put the new gear on.


Did you make sure you got the right speedometer cable gear with the correct pitch for your application? They have both Left handed pitch and right handed pitch on the speedo gears.
 
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 05:25 AM
  #5  
Greyf100's Avatar
Greyf100
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 2
Gear Ratio Calc
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 01:46 AM
  #6  
bull.nosed.dolt's Avatar
bull.nosed.dolt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
I guess adding in that it is a TOD/T170FT would help. The gear calc is mainly for the tremec... but thanks anyways.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 02:00 AM
  #7  
85e150's Avatar
85e150
Super Moderator
20 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 34,495
Likes: 2,809
Club FTE Gold Member
Need your tire size.

OD is probably .78, depending on which one you have. Do you have an iron side shift, or aluminum top shift, or the SROD, and was it out of a truck or is it the OEM trans?

Toploader 4 Speed Transmissions

Now to calculate mph at a particular rpm. It may be easier to just know the mph per 1000 rpms. If you have:

1000 rpms
30 inch tires
.78 high, 1:1 3rd
3.08 axle

You will have 37 mph per 1000 rpms in 4th and 29 mph per 1000 in 3rd.

You can plug in what you like here:

Novak Conversions - Gearing & Gearing Math for Jeeps

Yes I know there is a calculator on FTE but it does not allow the transmission variable.

Note the above is for 30 inch tires, you need to figure out what yours are, and there is a tire size to inch diameter converter on that site as well.
 
Reply
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 07:40 AM
  #8  
Greyf100's Avatar
Greyf100
Elder User
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 725
Likes: 2
Using the calc i posted with 1:1 you get (with a 235/75R15 Tire)
Engine RPM: 2151.04945336627
Vehicle Speed: 60
Read End Gear: 3.08

now take that RPM and multiply by your OD ratio (.78) you get 1678 RPM @ 60MPH

Tremec or not use 1:1 ratio then multiply answer by your OD and you'll get your RPM at whatever speed you enter.

If solving for an auto with NON Lockup converter you will need to add 200-500RPM for converter slip.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-3

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-5

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-9

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Jul 13, 2011 | 01:06 PM
  #9  
Franklin2's Avatar
Franklin2
Moderator
25 Year Member
Photogenic
Community Builder
Community Influencer
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 56,984
Likes: 2,738
From: Virginia
Club FTE Gold Member
It's very simple thing to check. Get on the interstate and get someone to time how much it takes to go from mile marker to mile marker. If it takes less than a minute, slow down a little bit and try again. If it takes longer than a minute, speed up. When you get it to a minute, you are going 60 mph. That will get you started marking the tach for speed, though this will only be good in high gear.
 
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 12:59 PM
  #10  
bashby's Avatar
bashby
Post Fiend
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,437
Likes: 4
From: Charles Town, W bygod Va
You could borrow a gps from someone if you dont have one.
 
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2011 | 12:28 PM
  #11  
1986F150six's Avatar
1986F150six
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
bull.nosed.doit,

I've been out of town and while trying to "catch up", I just read your thread. My 1986 F150 with 4.9L, 4 speed OD [SROD], 3.08 rear gears and original sized tires [215/75 X 15] does as follows in O.D.: 1000 rpm = 35 mph [going downhill]; 1500 rpm = 53 mph; 2000 rpm = 70 mph.

By the way, welcome to the forum!
 
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2011 | 03:05 PM
  #12  
1986F150six's Avatar
1986F150six
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,477
Likes: 19
From: Sheffield, AL
Maybe no interest as no response, but on my way to work this morning, same truck as previously described and determined the following speeds at 2000 rpm: 1st=17 mph; 2nd=28 mph; 3rd=55 mph.
 
Reply
Old Jul 23, 2011 | 10:04 PM
  #13  
custom1106's Avatar
custom1106
Senior User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, AZ
On behalf of bull.nosed.dolt...thanks a bunch! This is pretty much what he's looking for. He happens to be out of town at the moment on his honeymoon.


Thanks again!
 
Reply
Old Jul 28, 2011 | 12:27 AM
  #14  
bull.nosed.dolt's Avatar
bull.nosed.dolt
Thread Starter
|
New User
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Yeah, thanks for all the info.

By the way, on my honeymoon in the Caribbean, about half of all the trucks that I saw were 80-96 Fords (the other half was still Fords, just the most recent F-250's, oh, and like 2 chevys and a dodge,) doubtfully with anything other motor than the 300 based on the landscape. Anything else would crap out with the stop and go, ups and downs and minimally maintained roads after that much time. Probably would be my choice if I make the move after deployment.

Just another testament to the Fords...
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
reaper75032
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
15
Dec 28, 2012 12:28 PM
strokerfe
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
4
Jul 2, 2011 08:27 PM
PetesPonies
Clutch, Transmission, Differential, Axle & Transfer Case
6
Jun 2, 2010 11:04 PM
bchunter
Offroad & 4x4
2
Dec 18, 2006 12:23 PM
GeneStoner
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
13
Sep 29, 2003 03:37 AM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:51 PM.

story-0
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalytic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

Slideshow: Called the Fortress, the 850-horsepower pickup combines Raptor underpinnings with military-inspired features, survival equipment, and a starting price of $285,000.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-30 18:33:59


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

Slideshow: 10 most expensive Ford trucks ever sold on Bring a Trailer.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:24:34


VIEW MORE
story-2
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

Here's everything that has changed for the latest model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-27 16:17:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-4
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-5
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-6
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-8
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE