View Poll Results: What does your speedometer go up to?
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Speedometer
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2008
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From: Halifx Pa
Speedometer
I am sure there is an obvious answer, but I am going to ask anyhow. I noticed my 77 has a speeometer that goes to 85 mph.
Then I see others that go to 100mph. Then I have seen a few that went to if I remember correctly 130.
I am thinking the year it was made, and or the package it came with.
Then I see others that go to 100mph. Then I have seen a few that went to if I remember correctly 130.
I am thinking the year it was made, and or the package it came with.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: MD
There are NO speedos that went 85MPH in 1973/79. It's either 100, 80, or 130.
1973/76 clusters were all black with red needles that went 0-100MPH and has no km/h conversion. No fasten belt light. Only BRAKE (left side) and HI BEAM (right side) NOTE: In 1975 only, "LOW FUEL ECONOMY" light was installed on the right side of the cluster.
1977 is the only year that still has an all black cluster, speedo went to 80mph with the km/h conversion. 1977/79 needles was changed from red to orange. There's some speculation that early 1977 vehicles still had the 100mph speedo. Added FASTEN BELTS light on the left side; HI BEAM went to a tiny rectangular blue lamp above the speedo. BRAKE went on the right side. Added 'NORMAL' under the range on gauges.
1978/early 79 have argent walls with black faces. Needles were still orange, and the speedo went 80mph with the km/h conversion.
Mid to end run 1979 (1/79 onwards I'm guessing) had argent walls and faces. Only the gauges themselves were black. Same orange needles and 80mph with the km/h conversion.
The 130 number is only for Canadian trucks. It is measured in km/h instead of MPH. It also has the MPH conversion. Added in 1977.
1973/76 clusters were all black with red needles that went 0-100MPH and has no km/h conversion. No fasten belt light. Only BRAKE (left side) and HI BEAM (right side) NOTE: In 1975 only, "LOW FUEL ECONOMY" light was installed on the right side of the cluster.
1977 is the only year that still has an all black cluster, speedo went to 80mph with the km/h conversion. 1977/79 needles was changed from red to orange. There's some speculation that early 1977 vehicles still had the 100mph speedo. Added FASTEN BELTS light on the left side; HI BEAM went to a tiny rectangular blue lamp above the speedo. BRAKE went on the right side. Added 'NORMAL' under the range on gauges.
1978/early 79 have argent walls with black faces. Needles were still orange, and the speedo went 80mph with the km/h conversion.
Mid to end run 1979 (1/79 onwards I'm guessing) had argent walls and faces. Only the gauges themselves were black. Same orange needles and 80mph with the km/h conversion.
The 130 number is only for Canadian trucks. It is measured in km/h instead of MPH. It also has the MPH conversion. Added in 1977.
Senior User
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The cluster I pulled out of my 76 was all black 100mph like it says above, however it did have the spot for the fasten seat belts light, it just wasn't operable...I put in a 78 ranger cluster which is 85 mph and grey instead of black, and might I add the lights are wayyyy better at night, I can see every gauge now instead of almost seeing one or two haha. Now that I read jermafenser's post a couple more times my original (original to me, who knows if it was original) was the cluster described for the 77/79. Either way I prefer the grey ranger gauges and the 85 mph limit, looks like I'm hawlin butt cuz the needle is ready to fall off at 70 haha. BTW the ranger gauge also had km/hr.
And BTW it goes to 80 mph in numbers, and has the line for 85 mph. Pics are in my gallery
And BTW it goes to 80 mph in numbers, and has the line for 85 mph. Pics are in my gallery
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 4,956
Likes: 10
From: MD
The cluster I pulled out of my 76 was all black 100mph like it says above, however it did have the spot for the fasten seat belts light, it just wasn't operable...I put in a 78 ranger cluster which is 85 mph and grey instead of black, and might I add the lights are wayyyy better at night, I can see every gauge now instead of almost seeing one or two haha. Now that I read jermafenser's post a couple more times my original (original to me, who knows if it was original) was the cluster described for the 77/79. Either way I prefer the grey ranger gauges and the 85 mph limit, looks like I'm hawlin butt cuz the needle is ready to fall off at 70 haha. BTW the ranger gauge also had km/hr.
And BTW it goes to 80 mph in numbers, and has the line for 85 mph. Pics are in my gallery
And BTW it goes to 80 mph in numbers, and has the line for 85 mph. Pics are in my gallery
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
1976 clusters definatly had the Fasten Belt lamp. It was also the first year Shoulder belts were standard equipment.
As for the changing of the 100MPH speedo, to the 85MPH speedo, this is due mostly to the 1973 oil embargo. They lowered the speed limit to 55MPH, and lowered the speedometer reading because 30 over the speed limit is reckless driving in most states, and you tend to drive slower if you don't know how fast you are going. Thus saving gasoline and oil.
As for the changing of the 100MPH speedo, to the 85MPH speedo, this is due mostly to the 1973 oil embargo. They lowered the speed limit to 55MPH, and lowered the speedometer reading because 30 over the speed limit is reckless driving in most states, and you tend to drive slower if you don't know how fast you are going. Thus saving gasoline and oil.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2009
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I got 100. I do know these clusters are some of the ugliest I've ever seen. It looks like three old square cheapo wind-up alarm clocks. I'm about to be swapping in a round 5 inch Oldsmobile speedo with 120mph on it from a '66 Dynamic 88. The Revs Per Mile is 748, so it's close. I do have to use the speedo cable from a '69 F100, but it works. I think I'm gonna eventually swap the whole dash.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Dec 2007
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From: Minnesota
I am not sure what mine was originally. My 75 F100 4x4. But it had the fuel economy light. I had an engine fire and it toasted my instrument panel. Got one from the local u-pull for like $10 and put it in. Didn't even notice it was a 100mph one till about 6 months ago. Cool find though. I have a 79 parts truck with the silver sides. Think I might put that on it. I think its 80 mph on the speedo part.
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The cutouts and lens and bulb for the lights are there they just dont light up.
As far as 76 being the first year for standard shoulder belts nope...Don't know what year it was but it wasn't 76 cuz mine is definitely original cab and I only have lap belts.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Northern California
I know this because they were standard on my father's 1976 F-100, and he wanted a 1976 truck without them, and was told he couldn't get one.
The only thing I can think of why the discrepency, (because you are not the first one to say this) is either it was California only, OR it was introduced mid year.
Shoulder belts were optional as far back as 1968 on the F-series.