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How hard is it to replace the speedo cable?

Dafey

Dafey

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It doesnt show how in Chiltons.
Also one catalog shows 1 and 2 piece,another catalog only shows 1 piece...?
Is there a way to test to see if its a broken cable or gauge?
Its a 77 w/ 350/350 , 203.
 
If your truck has cruise control, it will be a two piece cable.
If your truck doesn't have cruise, it will be one piece.
It is usually best to replace the cable and the shroud at the same time.
If your truck has cruise, it might not be the cable at all. It could be the transducer(box thingie on the driver side fender well with speedo cables in and out)
Jimbo
 
I don't have cruise.So its a 1 piece,thanks.
Whats the shroud,and where is it?Do you mean the plastic around the metal cable?If so thats the only way I have seen them sold.And there only $25 any way.
 
yep
real easy, took me about 20 min to get the old one out, and the new one in after i melted the new one on my exhaust
 
Is it easy to get up behind the dash?
I did one on a Bronco II once, I remember it was easy I just dont remember how I did it :doah:
 
No it's not. Pull the dash pad & dash bezel. Then remove the guage cluster, theres a spring clip on the rear of the speedo, push it in/down and just pull it out.
 
THANKS everyone ! ! ! !
I will order one in the next few days either from LMC or Classicparts.com .



Gives me an excuse to order some stuff any way ;)
 
I've done it without pulling the dash before. Saves time if you can accomplish it, but it's not easy. Gotta know what you're feeling for, and gotta have forearms you can really cram up in there.

You CAN test it first though. Pull the cable off the tranny, and the end of it into the chuck of a drill. Crank on the drill for a bit, can't remember if it needs to go clockwise or counter; try both. Anyway, have the truck turned "ON" and have someone watch the speedo. It'll be the only time you see your speedo top out. :D

I did this once when a friend was going to buy a new cable, found out we didn't need it. His speedometer adapter drive pin was stripped out. BTW, do you have a speedometer adapter, or does your cable screw right onto the case?
 
dont need to even go to the dealer I went right to the Quality Auto in town and they ordered it took two days to get in and it was like 20 bucks or so. As for installing the cable I remember it being a PITA to plug the new one into the back of the speedo but not too bad I just shoved my arm back there and felt around.
 
pvfjr said:
I've done it without pulling the dash before. Saves time if you can accomplish it, but it's not easy. Gotta know what you're feeling for, and gotta have forearms you can really cram up in there.

You CAN test it first though. Pull the cable off the tranny, and the end of it into the chuck of a drill. Crank on the drill for a bit, can't remember if it needs to go clockwise or counter; try both. Anyway, have the truck turned "ON" and have someone watch the speedo. It'll be the only time you see your speedo top out. :D

I did this once when a friend was going to buy a new cable, found out we didn't need it. His speedometer adapter drive pin was stripped out. BTW, do you have a speedometer adapter, or does your cable screw right onto the case?
Click to expand...

Well the forearm part leaves me out..:(

I`ll try the drill part as soon as the weather clears up!! Thanks!

And yes I do have a box in between them.Look.
{Don't look at all the dirt,I have only had it 3 weeks and its hard for me to crawl around under it too.It will get cleaned up soon,I promise}

IMG_0841.jpg


P.S. whats that thingy hanging in the top left corner with the 2 wires on it??
 
Check the gears in that little box. It appears to be a speed modifier, and the gears can strip out in them. I have had to replace the one in my Astro (slows the cable down because of lower gears in the rear), and am looking at one to speed up my cable for the K5. They are prone to failure and it will definately make it look like the cable is bad.
 
lectric80 said:
Check the gears in that little box. It appears to be a speed modifier, and the gears can strip out in them. I have had to replace the one in my Astro (slows the cable down because of lower gears in the rear), and am looking at one to speed up my cable for the K5. They are prone to failure and it will definately make it look like the cable is bad.
Click to expand...

Thanks.Do I just pull the screws and look at the gears?

With 33`s and 3.08`s would my truck move? Because it does..That box make me wonder if the gears have been replaced?
 
It most likely hasn't had the gears replaced. The ones I have seen for dropping the speed of the cable are offset top and bottom. That one appears to be compensating for the larger tires. Mine has 3.08's and 33's and at 45 on the speedo I am actually at 70 miles an hour, so that may have been a correct and easy way of getting the speedo accurate.

Yes just open the box up, there will be four gears and two will be free floating and the other two should be fixed. One of the fixed gears may be turning on the shaft and not allowing the speedo to pick up the speed. I am not sure what you mean by would your truck move.
 
There may be a different number of gears in that box since the one I opened up was reducing speed. But it should be pretty apparent how it should work.
 
Yep, I'd definitely pull the cable off the box and stick it in the drill. Might help you out some with your troubleshooting.
 
lectric80 said:
I am not sure what you mean by would your truck move.
Click to expand...
You know...Like would it get out of its own way.Have any power.

Ok thank guys,I`ll get out there in a few days with the drill 1st,if thats good I`ll open up the little box next.And go from there.
 
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