Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

Re-Calibrating Speedometer??

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 08:31 AM
  #1  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Wink Re-Calibrating Speedometer??

First off this is NOT for my SuperDuty.

It IS for my '03 Ranger 3.0 with 5speed AUTOMATIC trans.

I bought the truck in October and discovered it has the (optional) 4.10.1 gears.

I see absolutely NO reason to spin this little engine at nearly 3k rpm
at highway speeds.

I have my F350 7.3 S/D for any heavy hauling I need to do, the MOST weight I'd ever tow with the Ranger would be around 1k lbs

I'd like to swap to a 3.55.1 gear AND recalibrate the speedo.

I have asked on the Ranger forum how the re-calibrating is done nowadays-back in the day we used to just change the plastic gear on the end of the speedo cable.

No one seems to know......
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 09:39 AM
  #2  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
There are inline electronic modules that can be installed/adjusted to change the pulse counts of the VSS as read by the PCM. You may want to look into this option. Here a couple I have found: Superlift Truspeed (limited availability; I believe the #33002 is for your app) and Classic Instruments SN74 (available; universal). There are both shown in the Summit Racing online catalog. I was looking at the Truspeed modules before the Auto Enginuity was available with the tire size calibrator. I ended up using the Hypertech Speed Calibrator, but it is not available for your Ranger. Hope this helps.
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 09:54 AM
  #3  
Tugly's Avatar
Tugly
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
This is pre-OBDII, so AE is no help. Your truck was made when the national speed limit was 55, so the high RPMs are no surprise - my '92 Toyota P/U ran 4000 RPM at 75 MPH.

The sensor is pre-differential?
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 10:21 AM
  #4  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by Tugly
This is pre-OBDII, so AE is no help. Your truck was made when the national speed limit was 55, so the high RPMs are no surprise - my '92 Toyota P/U ran 4000 RPM at 75 MPH.

The sensor is pre-differential?
Not sure........I was told that a dealer can change/calibrate the speedo with THEIR computer.......not sure if this is true either......
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 11:15 AM
  #5  
clem1226's Avatar
clem1226
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

I'd call the dealer, I believe they can change the gear ratio in the pcm. Or look at tuners, I think superchips made one for the 04 ranger that had a gear ratio selector. Might be fun to tweak the ranger.

Or keep the deep gears and Pre runner it with some 35's .
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 12:51 PM
  #6  
Mark Kovalsky's Avatar
Mark Kovalsky
Frmr Ford Trans Engr
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 24,732
Likes: 2,661
From: SE Florida
I can make your speedometer work correctly with the new ratio sitting here at my computer. DONE. Go ahead and change the gears. The speedo will be exactly as accurate with the new ratio as it is right now.

The Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) reads the rotational speed of the rear axle shafts. Changing the rear axle doesn't change how fast the axle shafts rotate for any given speed, so the reading on the speedometer won't change when you change gears. If you change tire size you have to recalibrate the speedo, but not when you change gears.
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 12:57 PM
  #7  
Tugly's Avatar
Tugly
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
That's what I was thinking. Thanks for chiming in, Mark.
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 01:12 PM
  #8  
AllaboutMPG's Avatar
AllaboutMPG
Logistics Pro
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 120
From: Mcdonough, GA
Club FTE Gold Member
nevermind.........
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

 Brett Foote
story-4

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

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

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

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

 Brett Foote
story-9

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 10:52 PM
  #9  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
It is my understanding that a '93 Ranger uses a Speed Sensor in the tail of the Transmission/Transfer Case to read the Output shaft speed. A separate (ABS sensor) was used on the rear differential to read axle speed for the braking system. Wouldn't the ratio affect the speedometer accuracy due to it changing the Output shaft speed by speeding up, or slowing it down, at a given axle speed?
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 11:01 PM
  #10  
clem1226's Avatar
clem1226
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,502
Likes: 2
From: Bend Oregon
Club FTE Silver Member

03 ranger Roland.
 
Reply
Old Feb 3, 2015 | 11:14 PM
  #11  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Originally Posted by clem1226
03 ranger Roland.
My bad! I misread that. I swear I read it was a '93 this morning. But, it makes sense. No 5 speed auto in a '93. Also, Rich mentioned something about pre-OBDII and I got thrown off.
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 09:01 AM
  #12  
Tugly's Avatar
Tugly
Hotshot
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 18,849
Likes: 179
From: Puget Sound
It was '93 and edited... sneaky bugger.
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 09:18 AM
  #13  
mueckster's Avatar
mueckster
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,298
Likes: 25
From: Damon (South East Texas)
Originally Posted by Tugly
It was '93 and edited... sneaky bugger.
So I guess I wasn't seeing things after all.
 
Reply
Old Feb 4, 2015 | 01:44 PM
  #14  
F250_'s Avatar
F250_
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,288
Likes: 269
From: North of Greenville
Wow... I just read this for the first time and saw the '03 in the OP's first post, and I have to admit that I was beginning to think a few bats had flown out of y'all's belfry when you were talking about pre-OBDII kinds of issues.
 
Reply
Old Feb 5, 2015 | 09:00 AM
  #15  
Supercab's Avatar
Supercab
Thread Starter
|
Lead Driver
25 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 5,374
Likes: 46
From: Palm Bay, Florida
Club FTE Silver Member

WOW!!!! Thanks everyone, espessely MARK!! So, IF I were to say find a whole rear end (drum to drum) and swap it in with the 3.55.1 gears it would be a plug and play?

I'd REALLY LOVE to find one with DISC brakes too!
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:18 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Fords at 2026 Carlisle Ford Nationals

Slideshow: Top 10 Fords at 2026 Ford Nationals

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 11:10:08


VIEW MORE
story-1
3 Best / 3 Worst Parts of Modern Ford Ownership

Based on years of owning multiple modern Ford products.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-09 10:53:36


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Amazing Upgrades That Solve Common Ford Truck Owner Headaches

SPONSORED: From muddy boots to rain-soaked cargo, these upgrades address some of the most common frustrations Ford truck owners face every day.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-06-08 18:50:34


VIEW MORE
story-3
Every 2026 Ford Engine Explained

Here's everything you need to know about every Ford engine available for the 2026 model year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-05 12:58:01


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Ford trucks that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 09:51:16


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:58


VIEW MORE
story-6
Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic 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 | 2026-06-03 11:38:36


VIEW MORE
story-7
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-8
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-9
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

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


VIEW MORE