Notices

Missing VSS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 12:31 AM
  #1  
7DF250's Avatar
7DF250
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: socal
Missing VSS

I found a truck I want to buy but it has an issue that may cost more than I think.

The truck is a factory tubo 7.3 IDI ZF5, for some reason the rear Dana 80 was swapped for an earlier version that has no provision for the VSS on the housing. The spedo and ODO don't work, the seller says he bought it from his company and they put a new (from ford) engine and reman trans in it serviced the rear end but neglected to re fill the oil so it seized up. He sounds very knowledgable about IDI diesels and the truck looks like a good deal but am afraid I will have to swap rear ends, time and cash consuming.

So can I put the VSS in the ZF-5? Is there an unused port on it? It has the E brake mounted on the back of the trans.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 05:02 AM
  #2  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,695
Likes: 2,616
From: SE Florida
There probably is a way to put it in the trans but it's going to be off by the rear end gear ratio. If the ratio is 4.11:1 the transmission output shaft is spinning about 1/4 the speed that the VSS would be expecting. At an actual 80 MPH your speedo would read just under 20 MPH.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 09:35 AM
  #3  
7DF250's Avatar
7DF250
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: socal
I did not even consider that. All my searching and reading says that some IDI trucks had the VSS in the tail housing of the ZF and some were on the axle housing. I think the correct fix is a new rear housing with the VSS port. The bummer is the Dana 80 in the F-superduty is really only good for that truck making it less desireable but the "It's a Dana 80!!!" factor really up's the price.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 10:32 AM
  #4  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
`91 and earlier the speedo was cable driven. There would have been a port on the transmission adapter housing (between trans and brake assy.) with a drive gear on the trans output shaft. `92 up the speedo was electronic, driven by the sensor on the rear diff housing.
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 07:37 PM
  #5  
7DF250's Avatar
7DF250
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: socal
So what year rear axle will work? 92 up to 97? Are all VSS mounting points the same? This is a Dana 80 for an F-Superduty (F450)
 
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2011 | 10:07 PM
  #6  
7DF250's Avatar
7DF250
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 610
Likes: 0
From: socal
Spoke too soon, found one out of a 97 for $200. Any issues with putting a 97 into a 94? Vss the same? Brakes?
 
Reply
Old Sep 2, 2011 | 07:26 AM
  #7  
Lazy K's Avatar
Lazy K
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,402
Likes: 10
On the lighter duty trucks there was a rear anti-lock brake system fitted from `87 up which used a speed sensor in the rear axle, I don`t know if the F450 used that as well from `87. If they did then an axle from `87 would have the fitting.
I would think that the `97 axle with VSS would do however I don`t know if they changed the brakes.
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
71buickfreak
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
5
Jul 22, 2019 09:58 PM
mtrosclair
1987 - 1996 F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
32
Mar 29, 2017 12:00 AM
MONAVIERONJON
1999 - 2016 Super Duty
1
Aug 10, 2016 06:32 PM
rogerf100
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
3
Apr 8, 2006 09:11 AM
ford390gashog
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
4
Apr 6, 2006 06:25 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:25 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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
story-4
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-6
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE
story-7
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!

Slideshow: Ranking the 5 things owners love about their Super Duty and 5 things they don't

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:36:49


VIEW MORE
story-8
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!

Slideshow: Ranking all 12 Ford truck engines available in 2026.

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 13:32:20


VIEW MORE
story-9
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)

Slideshow: The best Ford F-150 deal for every trim level (XL through Raptor)

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-21 15:59:01


VIEW MORE