Wimpy speedometer

[James Stern]

DV, I currently have a VDO electronic speedometer. It goes all the way to 120 MPH. I would like to replace it with a reversing 180 speedometer without replacing the sender. Are the senders universal or do they need a specific sender to go with a specific speedometer. This is not an "I need" but more of an "I want".

Not to make anyone jealous but they are calling for sunny and 54 out here on Sunday. If the weather weanies get it right I am going to get the COB out of the garage.

I saw the pic of your wife shoveling the snow out to the garage. She is obviously a candidate for sainthood.

Jim

[Ron61]

Jim,

Not trying to cut in on DV as he knows far more than I do. But I had a VDO electronic speedometer in my car that I sold that goes to 160 and it uses a Hall Effect Sending unit with 3 wires. I like the fact it is easy to adjust when I changed tire sizes or gears. I don't think you can use the sending unit you have if yours is electronic as it had one data lead to the speedometer where a chip counts the pulses and translates them into MPH or if setting it for a new tire size or gear ratio, It compares the pulses to what you should get in 1 mile and then sets the speedometer to the correct setting. I think you will have to go to a completely different set up to do what you want and I am not sure that VDO is even still in business.

Ron

[James Stern]

Ron, Thanks for the response. It figures that anything that I would like to do will not be "easy". I have seen some VDO stuff out on the web and thought they were still in business. I guess I'll have to wait to get some other responses to see if there is a consensus of agreement. Do you know how difficult it is to replace the sending unit? I probably would have been ok with a 160 MPH unit even if it was not reversing. It is not the end of the world but still worth thinking about.

[Double Venom]

Jim,
Ron is right on! One thing you can do is go to Enzo and buy a reverse speedo and the matching convertor (screws in) but you will need to go a cable system and a standard type cable outlet on the tranny-unless they too have gone to electric?
DV
PS all parts are over the counter parts at ford, depending on your gear ratio in the rear and tire size will determine what gear you buy ?? My guess is a Pink or white gear?

[James Stern]

Thanks Ed. Ron normally is the voice of reason. I didn't want to make a project out of it. I guess I'll just have to stick with the wimpy speedometer and be happy with the thought of it won't take that much to "bury the speedometer". I knew my speedo was electric and I was hoping they would be universal in the way that they worked or that VDO would have something that would work. Thanks again for the comeback.

[1ntCobra]

Hmm, did you look to the advertising to your left?

Tom Kirkahm electronic gauges?

http://www.thomaskirkham.com/gauges.html

[James Stern]

1ntCobra, I had seen their website ad and took a quick look at it. Tom seems to be a pretty good guy and might now if their speedometer works with the VDO sender. Thanks for the tip. I was trying to see if I could find an easy way to do this. Thanks for the input.

[onefastmustang]

I have an 180MPH reverse speedo that I got from Don. It only uses a couple of wires and works great.. http://www.classicinstruments.com is where they came from. They might have what you need.

[James Stern]

Thanks for the lead. That makes up for the comment about taking off and driving the cobra because it was soooooo nice.

[onefastmustang]

Originally Posted by James Stern

Thanks for the lead. That makes up for the comment about taking off and driving the cobra because it was soooooo nice.

Trust me.. All this nice weather here comes at a higher cost of living.. If it makes you feel better it's raining today..

[James Stern]

I know a little about your cost of living. My mom, my sister and my daughter all live in the greater SF area. I think I'll stick with the sometimes nasty weather. I guess I'm too damned cheap. Thanks again your lead looks promising.