Metric Speedometer conversion to Standard?

[Tofudebeest]

I bought an HJ60 from Australia. I've adapted to the Right Hand Drive (actually, I prefer it now). I've always thought metric was more logical than the stupid archaic standard system here in the U.S., but it's what I grew up with and am comfortable with and would like to see my speed in mph w/o having to think about it. So...

I have a speedo cluster from an FJ60 and wish to convert my truck. So, do I:
1) Replace the entire cluster (to hell with the accuracy of the "mileage" on the vehicle (unless I roll the new speedo to reflect the truck's actual odometer reading)? By the way, in metric territories is it called "kilometerage"?
2) Just replace the face plate?
3) Go low-tech and paint or use decals on the kph speedo faceplate to indicate the speed in mph also?

Problems with option 1: The calibration is probably set up, I suspect, for kph and the speedo will not give me the correct velocity, and it will not (as just stated) reflect the the accurate odometer reading, regardless of the units. Am I wrong?
Problems with option 2: The kph markings on the two faceplates don't match up (i.e. 80kph on one faceplate is not at the same place as 80kph on the other). The markings on the face plate will indicate that the odometer and trip odometer are in miles when they're in kilometers.

If I go with option 1, is there an easy way to recalibrate to reflect that this is now a standard speedo/odometer?

Any suggestions???

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[roscoFJ73]

I would have thought replacing the face would have solved the kph into mph but the figures are in different positions.
Maybe the plastic gears in the gearbox are different.
I would fit the FJ60 speedo and odometer and then measure it for accuracy.
If need be then swap the plastic gears.

Yeah sometimes we talk of kilometerage but its a mouthfull. Most people talk in "Ks". eg How many Ks has it done?

 

[Godwin]

I'd just swap in the FJ60 cluster. I don't think calibration is an issue and you'll have both units displayed. Then get a GPS so that you'll really know how fast (or slow) you're going.

 

[Waggoner5]

I did this swap but on my HJ61. I used an FJ62 speedo head only and it works perfectly. I remember wondering the same thing about the calibration, but my 62 graphics were in line with the 61 graphics more so than yours and you can get a correction gear to fix any discrepancies.

 

[2mbb]

I like the way the metric gauge looks. Very clean. If I were in this situation, I would ask what do I really need to know about how fast I'm going. There are probalby only three or four different speeds that are really critical, based upon your local streets and posted speed limits. What if you painted little marks or dots on the dial for these speeds: 25 mph (40kph), 45 mph (72kph), 65mph (105kph). If you need a speed between these marks, you can easily extrapolate --35 is halfway between 25 and 45. If you get pulled over for speeding, the officer might give you some slack if he see's that your speedo doesn't show miles per hour.

Additionally, the metric speedometer will give your passengers the illusion that you're going faster than you are and they will be impressed that you have a diesel that top's out at 160...

 

[Tofudebeest]

That's pretty funny...

I very well may just swap them out and see what happens or put some markings on my metric face. I'll have the other speedo ready if someone knows for sure what to do...

 

[cruiserjunktion]

My bj60 has both kmph and mph on the speedo.....

the kmph are big and the mph are small

opposite of the fj60 unit

you are welcome come swap one of yours if you are interested

 

[alkaline747trio]

[offtopic] All these BJs are making me wonder how smooth the import process goes for >25 yr vehicles [/offtopic]

 

[Tofudebeest]

Yo, I would LOVE to do that. Since yours is already geared to kph, it should be accurate. You can have both of my speedos for the trade...

 

[Tofudebeest]

OK.. Old thread, new update:

I am converting to the H55F (from the H41). Now would be a good time to swap in the adaptor so I can swap in the standard speedometer (which I have) so I will be able to see mph and mph. Anyone know if I will need to, and if so, where to get this adaptor?

 

[astr]

For you guys that have swapped out or want to swap out a metric speedometer for a US-type, I have a good one out of a 62 that I would love to swap for a metric unit. I'll even set the miles to whatever you want.