I am looking to re-zero my odometer on my '79. Has anybody any good or bad stories about doing this. I am nearing the end of an extensive rebuild with new everything and would like to start with a fresh odometer, without paying $500 for a new one. No, I am not trying to sell it.

 

Every once in a while a NOS unit shows up on ebay for a lot less than $500. There was a thread recently on setting a speedometer. Check out the search function for a lot of info.

 

Doggonit, I have one to mess with but it ain't in hand yet. :/
(Yer question is too stinkin early;)

Anyway it was a cinch to reset the odometer to zero on an old VW, never wanted to do that to my pickup (bought it new) so don't know what it's like. :/

I have adjusted the speedometer tho, gained a reading of about 6mph at 60mph by adjusting it to just -barily- zero. That 6mph gain was still 5mph shy of what was needed. Later fixed it -perfect- by swapping the axle gear ratio from 3L25 to 3L50. ;) Just a happy coincidence. If it'd been "too much" I could have adjusted the needle to "peg" just a little bit harder. Back in the direction is was stock, see?

Let us know how it goes. :)

BTW don't touch the numbers etc, that ain't paint it's more like white dust. :/
(almost made a big mistake on mine, but caught it quick enough;)

Alvin in AZ

 

Oh... BTW I don't care if you're going to resell it or not... buyer beware!

"don't believe anything you hear and only half of what you see"
(which half? ;)

Alvin in AZ

 

I got it. Sorry for hitting the Hot button. Just to assure those that may wonder about my intentions or Character - I have just over 20K in this project. I have practiced (6 trucks) and waited over 24 years to do a project of this magnitude. In '84 when I was 15, my first truck was my dad's 76 highboy. I put a tilt front end on it and a 460(hack Job) and Talked to Bob Chandler for ten Minutes(still can't afford what he was building then)( L&L was around back then too). And the Ford fire had been in me since Charles Bronson Jumped the white f-100 through the Watermelon patch in the '70's. I pretty much would rather a final ride in this truck as opposed to the hearst.
Any way I did what I should have done before and search around a little to find helpfull threads and to see the sensitivity of the issue. If I were to ever sell this truck It has 2 binders of reciepts and manuals for all the pieces and parts.
I am currently putting in a 100mph speedo. The truck had 145K miles on it. Reading the threads from Feburary - I will Date photo the original and the new/used one then reset the new one (unless I come across a NOS 100mph unit) and Photo again for the binders. Then Place a stamped and dated tag on the firewall under the dash showing the original miles and the new reset milage. Also it has a 4 inch lift, 351W, different frame numbers (another no comment) and Cursif 'Custom' emblems from the sixties- it is not like the thing is Original. But then neither is Chip Foose's stuff. This thing is really cool, But it is a Custom Custom.
As far as the Law goes, I don't trust any of 'em. Lawyers will convince a jury of any thing they want. But Showing Due Diligence versus Deceitfullness goes along way.
Again, my Appologizes.

 

When I say Hot button it's not your responce Alvin, It more refers to the earlier threads, where integrity and legal issues arise.

 

Should look around FTE some more, I found a thread about a month ago with a full how-to with pics. I was wanting to do the same with my truck after the rebuild, but I don't know what the story with the DMV and all that is...

 

I wouldn't worry a whole lot, first no one would believe zero miles if you were selling it, second most '79s have probably rolled over at least once anyway, and lastly speedo gears and cables often break and screw up the total on old cars anyway - some people wait a long time to fix them.. Condition and maintenance make the difference on buying an an older vehicle not mileage.

 

Usually there should be a spot on the title that you can check to show that the odometer reading doesn't matter based on the mechanical condition of these old trucks, even if it is in good shape. My 73 F100 has 32000 actual miles and hardley anyone believed me when I told them. So, the DMV really doesn't make any difference what the odometer says.

As far as rolling it back, I don't really see any reason for not doing it. If the truck is a complete restoration with new engine, tranny, etc. Than the odometer should read ZERO. I have wanted to do it also, just to start from scratch. When My truck is complete, it will have everything basically new also. Why spend close to 500 bucks on a new odometer when an old one will do. How many people will believe a NEW odometer showing zero vs an old one. yeah, you will have the receit for the new one, but still many people will be skeptical anyway. But, then if your building a custom custom truck, than why not put new custom gauges in them. But either way, these old trucks or any other old vehicle, people just don't believe when the odometer is zero or low miles.

 

Most state will check it as "exceeding its mechanical limits". Our trucks do, as they only show five digits. Until it's been documented every mile, you'll never know how many times it rolled over. Just check it, and all should be peachy from my viewpoint.

 

I just noticed the guy who gave me the truck (original owner) wrote the milage on 1-1-** in the cab above the door every few years. It was all mixed in with some phone numbers, so I didn't notice it until now...
I'll eventually mess with my odo, but first I'll have to get a hold of the shop that rebuilt my engine and find out how that works with my warranty...

 

if u send it 2 me, I will re-zero it 4 u, I have already done 1 with no problems, pm me 4 address and info

 

of course 2nd time around but original and works perfect.

 

Drac, What is it reading right now ?

 

I haven't recieved my used 100mph unit Yet, But I am told that it had 52,522 miles. I am Assuming it's on the second time around. The 85 mph unit had 47,846. Both have guages- I understand that is important, as the indicator light unit have different wiring plugs. The thread in Febuary was pretty clear on how to do and I have the 85 mph unit to practice.