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

Speedometer probs

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Old Jan 27, 2016 | 08:49 PM
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Speedometer probs

Hey guys, been awhile since I've started a thread on my truck, been too cold to sit out there in the snow and dig in! The problem I'm having is with the speedometer. I changed the gear in the transmission however since absolutely no one makes those gears anymore I had to go back to the 1979 version... Same number of teeth however they go a different direction than the 80s ones.... Seeing that I also switched the driven gear out in favor of the 79 model because, again, opposite tooth direction and they have to mesh up appropriately, all of that and it's still not working, so I'm curious. Does this mean the cable is spinning the opposite direction and therefore essentially turning my speedo the wrong direction? It is not working in reverse either, I would think that would mean that theory is disproven based on that but I could be wrong. Also, opinions on converting to an electronic speedometer? I don't know too much about them and how to do the conversion but if anyone has any experience with it I want to know! 85 f-150 302 DS2, transmission is a 4-speed, thanks guys!
 
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Old Jan 27, 2016 | 11:37 PM
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I forgot to mention that this is a 2wd truck! I know that makes a big difference
 
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Old Jan 28, 2016 | 01:54 PM
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If you decide to experiment with an electric speedometer, I believe I have a speedometer from either a F600 or F800. It looks exactly like the ones in 1980-1986 F150/250/350s, but is electronic and registers 75 mph.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2016 | 02:47 PM
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Originally Posted by 1986F150six
If you decide to experiment with an electric speedometer, I believe I have a speedometer from either a F600 or F800. It looks exactly like the ones in 1980-1986 F150/250/350s, but is electronic and registers 75 mph.
Hmm I'm listening, how does it hook up? I'm not sure what I'd have to do to make it work
 
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Old Jan 28, 2016 | 02:54 PM
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Later model transmissions had a sending unit for the electric speedometer. When people [owners of 1980-1986 F150s] change from the 4 speed manual O.D. to the Mazda 5 speed, they have to find a donor vehicle from 1992 [I believe] down in order to use the mechanical speedometer.
 
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Old Jan 28, 2016 | 03:45 PM
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So, I need to find a sending unit that'll work with my transmission, did they change the 4-speed transmissions at all after 92? Mine doesn't have o.d. either...
 
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Old Jan 28, 2016 | 03:55 PM
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Side note: I just stumbled upon a website that actually does still make our speedometer gears, it's called bearingkit.com, does anyone have any experience with this website? Wanna make sure it's not a scam
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 06:02 AM
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BTFordGuy302, you are entering uncharted territory. That is how we all learn, but the easiest and perhaps smartest thing to do is to try to find the correct gear for your transmission.

Regarding the sending unit on the later model transmissions, I do not know if the signal went directly to the speedometer or whether it went to the computer and then to the speedometer? By the way, the odometer of the F800 speedometer reads to 999,999.9 miles.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 09:43 AM
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Yeah... For 22$ I'll take a chance on it, as for the electronic speedometer my truck doesn't have a computer, unless the duraspark module has those capabilities which I doubt... I don't care too much about the odometer, the truck is old enough that to get it registered here the miles no longer matter
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 09:44 AM
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Ill do more research on it if this gear is a dud
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 12:15 PM
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To answer your question if the cable is now spinning in the opposite direction your speedometer will not work as the cable has to spin clockwise for the needle to be lifted up. If it is now spinning counter clockwise the needle will just sit at 0 and never move.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Rusty_S
To answer your question if the cable is now spinning in the opposite direction your speedometer will not work as the cable has to spin clockwise for the needle to be lifted up. If it is now spinning counter clockwise the needle will just sit at 0 and never move.
Thank you! I was curious on that, I wasn't sure if there was something inside the unit to make movement in any direction register or not
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 12:43 PM
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Nope all it is, is a wheel that the cable spins and through magnetic influence it spins another outter wheel which is attached to the needle. Have to reach a specific speed before the magnetic influence is enough to start to raise the needle.
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 12:52 PM
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Huh that's interesting, always wondered what made them work! Thanks for the info!!!
 
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Old Jan 29, 2016 | 02:55 PM
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Did you check here for your speedo gear needs? Speedometer Cables & Gears-Broncograveyard.com


What about here Search Results
 
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