Well my tank hit the 5-0s today. Starting its 3rd trip through the numbers. 200,000 and still rolling strong. Anyone else hit or going to hit the 5-0s?

 

Congratulations on your accomplishment! Take good care of your truck and it will take care of you!

Now, I want to apologize in advance for highjacking your thread, but this is speedometer related and I want to take advantage of the photo which you provided, JayzDaddy.

Can anyone explain what the 3 sets of marks are on the face of the speedometers in trucks from 1980-1986 [later on F600 & up]? Look at 10 & 15 MPH, then 35 and 40 MPH and finally, on either side of 75 MPH.

Initially, I thought they were for suggested shift points. However, the marks are the same regardless of engine size, transmission, differential ratio or 2 or 4 wheel drive.

I then wondered if for calibration purposes, but I do not know if each and every speedometer was ever calibrated?

Ideas?

Mr. Moderator, if this starts a distraction to the OP thread, please move appropriately.

Thanks in advance!

 

They are good questions even though they have nothing to do with one's odometer rolling over (again).

I have no idea what Jay is referring to - 5-0s??? WTH does that mean? - but, so long as he doesn't complain your questions, I'm not gonna do anything to change stuff.

Besides, what would I do? Extract your post and create its own Gary Lewis-type of microanalysis thread?

 

Gary's would start at page 300 or so.

Chris, the 5-0s would be the blank odometer [minus the tenths], I think. Or, 100,000, 200,000... each has 5 zeros.

 

Yeah, i meant it to be 00,000 on the odometer. And no i have no problem with the question being asked.

 

Reminds me of when my odometer rolled around to my 5-digit zip code...took a pic!!

 

My 86 F250 351W HO C-6 still going at 205000 miles..

 

The marks are on Ford speedos in the same spots from the mid-60s at least...they are safe downshift points, it's in the owners manuals ~Bill

 

I remember 3 vehicles hitting 5-0s. The first was my dad's '70 Ch*vy Carryall. I was about 14 and we were driving home from church. He started taking a bunch of wrong turns through our neighborhood and wouldn't tell us why when we asked. When he finally pulled into the garage he proudly showed us the odometer with all zeros, to the tenth.

The second was my bullnose ('85 F-250) Much less fanfare. I was on my way to work, eastbound on highway 36 between Hamline and Lexington.

The third was my '95 F-150. I was driving home from Grouse hunting on New Year's Eve. And then a year later I watched it turn 15,000 on New Year's Day.

My '75 Jeep turned over, I think for the first time, while I owned it. But I don't recall the event. And my '71 Bronco turned over for the second time with me driving, but I don't recall that one either. I guess the milestones that happen earlier in life are easier to remember.

Edit: Of course in hind sight my '95 doesn't really count. It had a 6 digit odometer so it really turned 100,000 and then 115,000 a year later.

 

Wait! I've been gone and come back to find my name ...... used in vain? Poked fun at? (That's grammatically awful!) Made fun of?

Oh well, I guess I deserve it. And don't plan to change.

 

Thank you, Bill.I guess I need to read my owners manual more closely.

 

Gary,

As Carly Simon would sing, "You're so vain, you probably think this song is about you"!

 

I used to think it was me, but then she said his name is David. Sonofagun!

 

Ok, so it's safe to down shift I am assuming a standard tranny like a T18,19? Is for the autos as well? If so are the two marks relative to one and not the other?

 

But where does that leave a 2.75 axle truck, vs a 4.11?

The same applies with the speed/shift guidelines in the owners manual......mph figures are given, but no axle reference.