Ratio Adapter?
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Logistics Pro
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Ratio Adapter?
So, the lower speedometer cable (transducer to t-case) broke on the '85. Looked up replacements, but three different sources show the 4WD's have a ratio adapter which I was surprised to see, I thought they were old school.
But the lower cable for the ratio adapter is understandably screw in on both ends.
I have no ratio adapter on mine, just the conventional cable with the gear on the end with a clamp that holds the body with the o-ring into the t-case.
I bought such a cable, haven't installed it yet, but it's the cable listed for the 2WD.
So curious, are all the listings wrong? Or am I missing the ratio adapter? Or maybe I have a T-case that is not stock to the truck?
FWIW the speedometer has never been accurate in this truck, so it's completely possible I'm not running the stock parts.
Any idea?
TIA!
But the lower cable for the ratio adapter is understandably screw in on both ends.
I have no ratio adapter on mine, just the conventional cable with the gear on the end with a clamp that holds the body with the o-ring into the t-case.
I bought such a cable, haven't installed it yet, but it's the cable listed for the 2WD.
So curious, are all the listings wrong? Or am I missing the ratio adapter? Or maybe I have a T-case that is not stock to the truck?
FWIW the speedometer has never been accurate in this truck, so it's completely possible I'm not running the stock parts.
Any idea?
TIA!
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2011
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Ratio adapter is for cruise control I believe and was more of an add on from Ford at factory.
The 2wd cable will work as long as it's long enough with no hard bends you should be good, check your gear colors/tooth count and see if they are right for your truck if not you should be able to get a gear that will get you speedometer very close
The 2wd cable will work as long as it's long enough with no hard bends you should be good, check your gear colors/tooth count and see if they are right for your truck if not you should be able to get a gear that will get you speedometer very close
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Logistics Pro
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It's the transducer that's for the cruise control. The ratio adapter is how they calibrated the output to the speedometer and they were common on 60's and earlier rigs, but I think the listings are screwed up, never seen it on a newer vehicle. Yet.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
If you have a multi part cable you have dealer cruise.
These trucks didn't use a ratio adapter that I have ever seen, but with factory cruise control the cable goes into the vss, and the gear goes onto the vss rather than the end of the cable.
A 2wd cable probably isn't going to be long enough, I know it wasn't on either of my trucks that I built.
These trucks didn't use a ratio adapter that I have ever seen, but with factory cruise control the cable goes into the vss, and the gear goes onto the vss rather than the end of the cable.
A 2wd cable probably isn't going to be long enough, I know it wasn't on either of my trucks that I built.
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Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 5,330
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From: Dryden, ON, Canada
This is the setup that I am familiar with for factory cruise. 89-91 used it for speed signal for the E4OD as well.
Vss with a pass through for the speedo cable.
Vss with a pass through for the speedo cable.
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Logistics Pro
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The early '80s didn't have that kind, theirs was inline with the speedometer cable. You could call it a VSS I suppose, I'm not sure what Ford's terminology was. Delco had something similar called a transducer so I used the term here.
But the issue I was trying to convey was that the 2wd cable seemed to be the only option since it had the conventional setup on the end for the gear, the o-ring, and the clamp. All the 4wd listings I looked at showed the screw on fitting on both ends to accommodate the ratio adapter that this truck did not have.
It finally stopped raining here so I was able to install the new one. (Cheapskates, didn't include a new o-ring.) It was only 3" shorter than the original and fit and works fine.
But the issue I was trying to convey was that the 2wd cable seemed to be the only option since it had the conventional setup on the end for the gear, the o-ring, and the clamp. All the 4wd listings I looked at showed the screw on fitting on both ends to accommodate the ratio adapter that this truck did not have.
It finally stopped raining here so I was able to install the new one. (Cheapskates, didn't include a new o-ring.) It was only 3" shorter than the original and fit and works fine.
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