Thanks Matt
So it looks like a later cable based on the years.
I wonder how the trans end is different than ours?
Next time in the garage I will see if I can find my old cable to check the end.
Thanks again
Dave ----

 

The trans end is the same . The cable end is the same as the posted VSS all Autos and every non-screw on Ford speedometer cable will take the posted VSS.
See below pic of a non-cruise cable. As you can the end is the same as the VSS.

If you have the earlier style speedo that screws on to the trans there is a modern style VSS for that application also. See below. and since there are literally hundreds and hundreds speedo cable adaptors no matter what you use for a trans/transfer case you can add a VSS this one of the great things about doing driveline swaps in Fords no matter what you stuff in them you can always make the factory cruise functional.

 

I think Dave meant what is different about the cables on the transmission end? Dave?

Normal speedo cable without cruise control has this style drive on the transmission end:


If you have one of the transmission mounted VSS units like I have, you need a specific cable to go with it, and the transmission end looks like this one below. It has a shoulder on it where it snaps in the VSS under a clip.


So if you ever decide to install/use a factory style transmission mounted VSS, you'll need the correct speedo cable that goes with it. You can re-use the cable's driven gear on the VSS.

This is the cleanest way to get a speed signal on a Bullnose if installing an aftermarket cruise control IMHO. All factory parts and they're plug and play.

 

That's it. I noticed they had different part numbers for the cable if it was for cruise or not. If you have a earlier model car or truck that took the two cables with the sensor in the middle, you will have to guess at the length you need and order a cable for a late model car or truck that matches your earlier vehicle's cable length. But I am thinking this later model sensor may be the better way to go, especially since the other poster said he looked and could only find the older type used.

 

Here's what the old style sensor looked like. I found this one on ebay. https://www.ebay.com/p/1617837495

 

Yes Cory that was what I was asking as I did not think the old style cable would "snap into" the VSS with the gear removed.
The picture are worth a 1000 words!
Thanks
Dave ----

 

As to which way to go between a VSS that plugs into the trans or the earlier style that sits mid cable, it is sort of a 6 of one, half a dozen of the other situation.

To use the later style you only have to buy one speedo cable and the VSS and both are easily available.
But.. you have a longer wring run that is outside the vehicle that will have to come inside the cab.
If it is in a 4x4 that sees off road in brush there is a chance of tearing out wiring from under the truck.
The later style VSS has a tendancy to rot off over time (pretty much the only way they fail) especially if they see salt covered roads. The area that is crimped over the plastic body of the sensor has a tendency to corrode away over time and the sensor falls apart.
But this likely will not be much of an issue as most of these trucks probably are not driven in/on salt-covered roads in the winter.

The Older style sensor sits in the cab behind the dash keeping it out of the elements and making for a nice short wire run.
But you do have to buy 2 harder to locate and more expensive speedo cables then try to locate what I believe is now an obsolete speed sensor.
The old style is also more prone to failing by signal failure mind you with the limited use these trucks see today it is not really a major consideration.

So it is sort of a crapshoot what one is the better way to go. I guess it depends on the use the trucks gets. If it is off-roaded and driven in the winter then opt for the early style. Otherwise, the later style will be cheaper and the parts easier to find.

 

Thank you gentlemen. I will begin the search at home through my misc. Bullnose parts as I scrapped an 86 4x4 with cruise.......

 

It didn't take too long to file down the cable end from a non-cruise truck to fit into the VSS unit.

 

Love it, inginuity at its finest.

 

That is good but got a question?
What holds the cable into the unit as there should be a "hair pin" to hold the cable in place.
It looks like you can use bailing wire around the big part of the cable and the VSS to hold the cable in place if you need to.
Dave ----

 

I think I would clamp or wire-tie the cable in place on the frame rail, that would probably keep it from backing out and going anywhere.

 

Yes, a zip-tie has held it in place for several years now.