Notices
1948 - 1956 F1, F100 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Fat Fendered and Classic Ford Trucks

Speedometer Cable Routing help needed

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 12:25 PM
  #1  
jvmcc's Avatar
jvmcc
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Calais, Vermont
Speedometer Cable Routing help needed

I got a new speedo cable for my 53 F100. The truck's got a three speed on the column. I do not know the route that the cable should take between the speedo at the stock instrument cluster and the driver's side of the transmission. Does it run over or under the tranny? Right now I have it over, but running under would result in fewer tight turns in the cable. (I worry that if I run it under I'll snag a fallen tree branch, dead skunk, etc. while bouncing along on these Vermont back roads.) The existing cable exits the cab through a hole that is sort of centered in the firewall. So, it's heading toward the passenger side and slightly down when it leaves the cab. From here, it's got to do a 180 turn to head back towards the driver side, and then another 180 to turn and plug into the side of the transmission. Or, it should it do sort of one big loop under the engine into the tranny. How do other speedo cables get from the dash to the tranny?
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2016 | 09:01 PM
  #2  
abe's Avatar
abe
Fleet Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 25,401
Likes: 5,408
From: Central PA
Club FTE Silver Member

Bump to the top.

If I have time tomorrow night I'll look at my 54. Hopefully someone will beat me to it!
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 08:27 AM
  #3  
jvmcc's Avatar
jvmcc
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Calais, Vermont
Thanks, Abe. I feel like I'm asking another dumb question, but I have not been able to figure out how to run the cable without a tight turn (about a 3" or 4" radius) in it somewhere. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 06:03 PM
  #4  
filthy6's Avatar
filthy6
Elder User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 531
Likes: 8
From: Bakersfield, CA
I have the same question. Also curious how much you can deform the cable before it impacts performance or longevity.
 
Reply
Old Sep 23, 2016 | 11:13 PM
  #5  
Kurt G.'s Avatar
Kurt G.
Laughing Gas
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 815
Likes: 29
From: Richland, WA.
My old 55 use to run down and across the top side at the trans hump then drop down to output shaft for my 3 on the tree. It has been a long time but I will swear that it ran down the inside of the firewall ( IE inside passanger compartment under the floormat) then went under the trans cover and dropped down to trany. If my memory serves correct the cover had a raised place wear it went out to trans. I'm trying to remember but that was 35 yrs ago.
 
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2016 | 05:48 PM
  #6  
jvmcc's Avatar
jvmcc
Thread Starter
|
Laughing Gas
20 Year Member
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 823
Likes: 4
From: Calais, Vermont
I've reinstalled the speedo cable.IU've got it coming out of the same hole in the firewall, just behind the engine rocker arm cover. It angles down and along the passenger side of the bellhousing, and now makes a big sweep over the drive shaft and into the transmission. there is a single bolt that hold up the parking brake cable along the edge of the transmission cover/ floor piece. I am going to use a loose fitting cable holder here to keep the speedo cable from rubbing on the drive shaft. This seem to make sense. All the curves in the cable are as large as possible, and the cable is not hanging down in a way where it might catch something. My initial speedo cable routing question was borne out of the idea that maybe the routing had something to do with the speedometer not working. I know now that I have a couple of bad teeth on my speedometer cable drive gear. Hopefully a new gear will fix things up, and I'll never have to think about speedometer cables again....
 
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
clnilsen
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Jul 15, 2018 09:39 AM
coppertales
1967 - 1972 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
2
Oct 6, 2015 10:49 AM
RadioControlGuy85
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Dec 12, 2012 04:55 PM
cowboyty
1973 - 1979 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
12
Aug 30, 2006 03:46 PM
Nathan
1961 - 1966 F-100 & Larger F-Series Trucks
1
Apr 30, 2001 03:40 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:52 AM.

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