Notices
1980 - 1986 Bullnose F100, F150 & Larger F-Series Trucks Discuss the Early Eighties Bullnose Ford Truck

MPG Gauge - Electrical VSS

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 09:21 AM
  #1  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
MPG Gauge - Electrical VSS

Id like to put in a fuel economy gauge that gives real time MPG results like the new trucks have, but I am running into some problems. I found the gauge, but It requires and electrical VSS. Is there someway of putting an electrical VSS on these trucks? I cant seem to find such a thing...

THanks!
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 01:08 PM
  #2  
Piffery1's Avatar
Piffery1
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,635
Likes: 0
From: Niceville, FL.
A Vehicle Speed Sensor (VSS) should be available at most parts houses. I think they have to mount in a hole in the transmission or rear end to be positioned where they can output an electrical pulse each time a gear tooth passes by. Which, if any, would work for your application will likely take some serious research.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 04:43 PM
  #3  
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Americanmadeford could you give more info about that gauge and cost and where to get one.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 04:51 PM
  #4  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
Originally Posted by Eddiec1564
Americanmadeford could you give more info about that gauge and cost and where to get one.
Eddie, the device is home-made by a person in Japan that goes by the handle of "Yoshi". THis is his "hobby", and is fairly limited in production. Right now Ive having problems finding a VSS that will output the signal the Supermid (this is what the device is called) needs.

Here's a thread with some more info and a couple pictures. THe device is a bit crude, but is supposed to be very accurate.

www.gassavers.org/showthread.php?t=906&highlight=supermid

Also, Piffery, would aftermarket products replace a OE hole, or would I have to drill a new hole in the transmission?
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 04:59 PM
  #5  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
I found a cheap VSS here...

http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Ive got a thread going over at GasSavers. Im hoping this will work.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 06:34 PM
  #6  
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Thanks for the info. I find www.gassavers.org a intresting site. I see now what you have. As a possiblity you could put magnets on the drive shaft with a hall effect sensor or even a reed switch(old tech way) the only problem is calibrating it as you have to figure the rear end ratio/tire size. As a side note, I use a vacuum guage on my F250 4x4. I found that to be a good investment with helping on MPG. Higher vacuum while crusing gives better MPG.
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 06:43 PM
  #7  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
the only problem is calibrating it as you have to figure the rear end ratio/tire size.
I sent Yoshi a PM asking how this is done. No response yet.


How hard was it to instlall a vacuum gauge?
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 08:07 PM
  #8  
Eddiec1564's Avatar
Eddiec1564
Cargo Master
15 Year Member
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,935
Likes: 34
From: Arcadia, Fla
Its easy, just mount it where you can see it, and run a vacuum hose to the manifold. The one I have I think came from JC whitney(pilfered out of a junkyard) has a lamp inside so you could use it at night. Its easy to use, once you get crusing, just let up on the throttle but stay crusing without dropping speed. I usually run about 12 to 15 inches of vacuum(at 60mph)I can also notice headwinds and weight of towing just by reading the gauge. On heavy headwind, vacuum is about 10 to 13 inches. Its a nice and easy way to get better MPG but its not going to tell you exactily the MPG.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Ford Trucks That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-2

Rezvani's Latest Post-Apocalyptic Monster Is a Ford F-150 Raptor Underneath

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)

 Brett Foote
story-5

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-7

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 08:08 PM
  #9  
srercrcr's Avatar
srercrcr
Postmaster
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 2,854
Likes: 0
Super simple...just run a vacuum line from a source to the gauge. Some of the cars had them in the 70s. All it tells you is the gauge moves when you lean on the gas pedal...duh!
 
Reply
Old Jun 1, 2007 | 09:19 PM
  #10  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
Alright, someone at GasSavers said that I might have an eletric VSS in addition to the mechanical one. Can anybody confirm or deny this?
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 12:57 PM
  #11  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
What engine do you have? What transmissionm? What year is the truck? If it's an 85 with a 302 and an AOD trans you have one, the computer uses it to determine engine rpm and help trim the fuel mixture. If it's not a computer controlled beast AND you have cruise you have one, it's in line with the cable. It'll be a round connector with two wires somewhere between the trans and speedo, maybe even behind the dash. If you don't have cruise AND you don't have a computer then you DON'T have one.
 
Reply
Old Jun 2, 2007 | 05:05 PM
  #12  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
85 302 EFi with the AOD is what Ive got. THanks for that info! Best news Ive heard in a while...
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 09:20 PM
  #13  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
Would you happen to have a bit more info? THe only things I see coming out of the transmission is the kickdown cable and the mechanical VSS
 
Reply
Old Jun 3, 2007 | 11:21 PM
  #14  
pfogle's Avatar
pfogle
Lead Driver
20 Year Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 8,140
Likes: 4
From: Oak Harbor, OH
Okay, take a look at the cable AT the transmisison. There should be a an electrical sensor there. It's bolted into the trans and the speedo cable hooks to it. Look behind the cable connection and you should find a connector.
 
Reply
Old Jun 4, 2007 | 06:29 PM
  #15  
Americanmadeford's Avatar
Americanmadeford
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
From: SE Alabama
I hate to be a pain in the ***, but mine is purely mechanical unless Im missing something...

<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y115/americanmadeford/speedo.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket"></a>
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:42 PM.

story-0
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-1
10 Things Every Truck Owner NEEDS (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: the best gifts for dads & grads

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 10:59:05


VIEW MORE
story-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-6
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-7
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-8
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE