Electronic Speedometer Help

[sfrolich]

Hello,
I've searched around and found some information but I'm wondering if it is possible to "easily" put an Autometer Electronic Speedometer into my 71 FJ40. I have an Orion but that probably doesn't matter.

If someone has done it, please let me know the steps you did to do this and how long it took. Since my kid is 2yrs old, I don't get much time to work on the rig anymore.

Thanks for the help, Scott

 

[workingdog]

Someone here will chime in with part numbers, but it is very easy. You remove the speedo cable and in it's place on the tranny or the t-case you screw in a sending unit. I know that several of the FJ on line stores carry these. Then just run wires to the speedo and and calibrate according to the Autometer instructions. I'm going to do it in late April when the new Autometer dual Speedo/Tach is available.

Peter

 

[90 Weight]

yep like mentioned above...just buy the guage and get a sending unit...I got mine from downy offroad for about $150 I believe...screws in just like your mech drive but converts the signal to digital...then simply run wires to guage.

Presto

 

[sfrolich]

You remove the speedo cable and in it's place on the tranny or the t-case you screw in a sending unit.

How does the sending unit sense the car is moving? Does it use the speedo geat that's in the transfer case or does that come out? Does the new sending unit actually have the correct thread to just screw in?

Thanks, Scott

 

[pappy]

The gear in the transfer case spins the sender. The sender creates an electrical pulse that is used by the gauge. I bought mine from Speedometer Service Co, Milwaukee, WI, 414/463-6660. I paid $109.04 to my door.

Edit: I need to toot these guys more. I've used them twice. Once for the sender for the speedo, and a second time for a very special custom VSS to run my 3FE ECU that piggybacked to the first sender. They know their stuff, were very helpful, and fast getting me what I wanted.

 

[bsevans]

You will need to get an adapter to adapt you Hall Effect Speed Sender to the speedo gear in the xtansfer case. The Hall Effect Speed Sender I purchased from egauges.com for my VDO electronic speedometer screws on the xtansfer case threads without issues. I purchase an adapter shaft that mates the Hall Effect Speed Sender to the speedo gear. Most any speedometer cable shop can sell you one. The adapter shaft is fairly common.

 

[wtmtnterror]

So...this is the same thing as a vss? I was wondering the same thing. Going to replace my instrument cluster with autometer gauges as well.

 

[sfrolich]

The gear in the transfer case spins the sender. The sender creates an electrical pulse that is used by the gauge. I bought mine from Speedometer Service Co, Milwaukee, WI, 414/463-6660. I paid $109.04 to my door.

Thanks for the details. When you bought "mine" was it just the sender or was it all ready to go to fit into the transfer case and speedo gear? If so, how did you order it? With a part #?

Thanks, Scott

 

[pappy]

Thanks for the details. When you bought "mine" was it just the sender or was it all ready to go to fit into the transfer case and speedo gear? If so, how did you order it? With a part #?

Thanks, Scott

Scott,

I called them and told them what I was doing, e.g. Toyota transfer case with a parking brake to Autometer Speedometer. It was ready to screw onto the transfer case with an 18" cable, and had an electrical pigtail to wire to the speedometer. In the pic you have the speedometer sender on the left, and the VSS for the ECU on the right. Not showing in the pic is the 18" cable that attached to the transfercase. The cable was necessary to clear the sender away from the parking brake. Note that the wires are not terminated when they arrive and the Weatherpac connector was added by me.

 

[sfrolich]

I called Speedometer Service in Milwalkee and talked to Rodger. He seems to know what I was talking about (he even knew to ask about the parking brake backing plate).

Here's their web site: http://www.speedometersolutions.com/
Phone#: (414) 463-6660

I'll update once I get the part in and installed.

Thanks (especially PAPPY)!!! Scott

 

[sfrolich]

Ok, I got the cable and 2-wire sender from Speedometer Service in Milwalkee. Hooked it all up and it works well.

I'm just wondering what is the real difference in performance between the 2-Wire and 3-Wire senders. My Autometer speedo kinda jumps around from 0 - 20 MPH then starts to even off. Would a 3-wire sender fix this?

Who out there are using electronic senders? 2 or 3 wire? any problems? which is better?

Thanks, Scott

 

[mtquivr]

I have a two wire sending unit from Jags That Run, that I installed three or four years ago. The sending unit works just fine, it was the speedo that gave me problems.
The first Autometer speedo worked fine for a few weeks, then I noticed that the odometer reading would change by several miles when the engine was restarted. I sent it back to Autometer for a replacement.
The second speedo would bounce and peg the needle. This one was sent back also.
The third one has been working fine ever since.

 

[projektdotnet]

I called Speedometer Service in Milwalkee and talked to Rodger. He seems to know what I was talking about (he even knew to ask about the parking brake backing plate).

Here's their web site: http://www.speedometersolutions.com/
Phone#: (414) 463-6660

I'll update once I get the part in and installed.

Thanks (especially PAPPY)!!! Scott

Talked to Rodger also and he was most helpful. I will be purchasing my parts from them when I have the money to make this upgrade

 

[sfrolich]

Anyone have experience with a 3-Wire setup? Does it work well under 20 MPH?

Thanks, Scott

 

[kabota19]

I used the autometer sending unit http://store.summitracing.com/partd...rt=ATM-5291&N=700+4294849272+115&autoview=sku
and it works great at all speeds (for a land cruiser)..have not had any problems yet
brandon

 

[sfrolich]

I used the autometer sending unit http://store.summitracing.com/partd...rt=ATM-5291&N=700+4294849272+115&autoview=sku
and it works great at all speeds (for a land cruiser)..have not had any problems yet
brandon

I ordered this yesterday and I'll give an update once I get it in. I figure, more wires is always better!

Scott

 

[cpratt]

Did that sending unit ordered work well? Slide right in?

I have a stock toyota running gear, except for the motor and am looking to replace the cluster. Speedo is the last piece I need.

 

[r80ranger]

Did to my 69. It's a breeze, have fun it's easy.

Night Rider

 

[bsevans]

Anyone have experience with a 3-Wire setup? Does it work well under 20 MPH?

Thanks, Scott

My spedo is a VDO unit with a three wire Hall Effect Sensor and does not have the fluctuation issues you are experiencing.

 

[sfrolich]

Did that sending unit ordered work well? Slide right in?

I have a stock toyota running gear, except for the motor and am looking to replace the cluster. Speedo is the last piece I need.

No the 3 wire sensor didn't work with the cable I ordered from:
http://www.speedometersolutions.com/
Phone#: (414) 463-6660

I haven't had the chance to look into the problem further so I'm just living with it. I have heard alot of positive feedback on this setup so it is probably something wrong with my particular setup or speedometer.

Scott