My 1950 cab is now on it's new frame and almost ready for the paint shop!!! All of the electrical and mechanical stuff is done, and now it's time for some dry-fit reassembly.

One thing I would like to do is set the odometer to 000000. I am using a cluster from an '84 Ranger and it is driving me nuts trying to figure it out.

This is a frame-off, frame doesn't match motor doesn't match cab franken-rod, so Johnny law can't have anything to say about the numbers when it's registered. Already checked with DMV and they ok'd it for me.

Any advice would be appreciated.

/Kris

 

there always the Drill.. other wise pulling it all apart and hopeing to get it back togather right

 

Yep a drill and a zip tie to set the speed don't want it to turn to fast and break things. I wouldn't take it apart most of the time you can tell becuase the numbers no longer line up.

 

Years ago I worked for a Caddy dealership. The odometers were a replaceable item, we even kept them in stock for late 50's thru early 80's Caddys. We would dissasemble the cluster and remove the old odometer, adjust the new odometer to match teh mileage and reassemble it and send it down the road.

The odometers had little tabs that protuded between each number wheel and a plastic tab that held them in line until you placed it in the cluster. To set the mileage you would remover the tab and start spinning at the lower end (the right) when the ones place was correct you would hold it tight to the tens place and rotate until that # was correct, then hold the ones and the tens and rotate to get the hundreds and ...so on and so forth until you had the mileage you needed. Then drop the odometer back in the cluster and make sure the gears meshed.

I'm not sure how the old ford gauges are but its got to be similar.
Good luck with it
Bobby

 

There is a row of star gears below the numbers wheel that "probably" holds everything in place as you describe. It is pressed in, so I think I am going to visit Mr. vice in the garage and see what we can do together.

Worst case scenario I have to get another one from the wreckers.

Thanks all,
/Kris

 

I think Bobby is right

 

Bobby is correct for the older speedo's. Here's a pic of a '56 speedo, sans needle.

On this one, the little tabs have a slot in them and line up on the piece that runs below the numbers. Kind of a "tongue in groove" thing. Not sure if the Ranger is similar, but it may be.
Good Luck,
Kent

 

fatfords,
Thanks for finding and posting a pic of the odometer. Its hard to draw a pic with words.

Bobby

 

Bobby,
I know what you mean. I think inflation has set in and I think a pic is worth more than a 1000 words these days.

BTW, this is my speedo-does anyone know how the needle attaches in that hole down there? I have the needle, but haven't taken it apart any farther than to reset the numbers. This was my "learning curve" as I figured I couldn't screw it up anymore than it already was.
Kris-sorry if I'm hi-jacking your thread!

 

I think the needle just presses in. I'm not sure how you are supposed to line it up or calibrate it but I think all you have to do is push it into the hole

Bobby

 

Well, I'll dig out that box of parts and give it a try. It's been awhile since I messed with that-too many other irons in the fire.
Thanks,
Kent