speedometer

['69 Yota]

Does anyone know if the stock speedometer cable will thread on to a "common" aftermarket gauge (like an autometer, SW or Dolphin, etc.)? I've been through three used stock speedo's in my '66 FJ45 and they have all been pretty old and rough looking to start with and I'm kind of tired of messing with it and not having a speedo. I could make a nice looking insert to go where the speedo is in the stock guage panel to just mount a small aftermarket speedo but I don't know if those threads are metric and wouldn't work. I have a brand new speedo cable from
SOR and it turns well and the gear looks good. Thanks for any input.

 

[Poser]

No, the factory cable will not thread onto an aftermarket speedometer.

Time for a custom speedometer cable.

 

['69 Yota]

No, the factory cable will not thread onto an aftermarket speedometer.

Time for a custom speedometer cable.

Thanks Steve. I put an electric Dolphin speedometer in my street rod and I had to put a "pulse generator" on the tailshaft, but it was pretty slick and easy to calibrate. Do you happen to know if there's a "toyota" pulse generator that might work?

 

[cuencanolenny]

No, the factory cable will not thread onto an aftermarket speedometer.

Time for a custom speedometer cable.

Poser, can you tell me if there is a difference at the transmission between my 1970 3 speed and 1979 4 speed transmission? I had the outfit AutoMeter recommends (MN) make me a cable for my new AutoMeter gauge. Works great. Now changing to the 4 speed and wonder if I have to order a new cable. Thanks.

 

[shelfboy1]

the cable is the same at all transmissions but not at the speedo

 

[cuencanolenny]

Thank you! Hope my length is enough, it is a rather expensive cable, seems like it was around $65 or so.

 

[cuencanolenny]

Does anyone know if the stock speedometer cable will thread on to a "common" aftermarket gauge (like an autometer, SW or Dolphin, etc.)? I've been through three used stock speedo's in my '66 FJ45 and they have all been pretty old and rough looking to start with and I'm kind of tired of messing with it and not having a speedo. I could make a nice looking insert to go where the speedo is in the stock guage panel to just mount a small aftermarket speedo but I don't know if those threads are metric and wouldn't work. I have a brand new speedo cable from
SOR and it turns well and the gear looks good. Thanks for any input.

I'm sure you have this fixed by now but when I bought AutoMeter gauges the website directed me to a place in MN that would make me a new cable. That worked out very well.

 

['69 Yota]

I'm sure you have this fixed by now but when I bought AutoMeter gauges the website directed me to a place in MN that would make me a new cable. That worked out very well.

Thank you. I took the original to a place that restored guages and they pretty much took three old ones and made one that works. Wasn't cheap. About $300.

 

[cuencanolenny]

Dang, I think it cost me $65! All brand new. The "issue" is the square drive at the speedometer.

 

[cuencanolenny]

I was looking through my 1970 FSM and found that the item I was missing is the speedometer gear ratio. The FSM shows gear combinations relative to final drive ratio and tire size and then lists the speedometer gear ratio so a person can match it up. So I needed to check AutoMeter to see what the speedometer gear ratio is and found this (I was wrong, it is Wisconsin, not MN);

"We first suggest contacting Speedometer Service out of Milwaukee, WI. They can assist you with adapters, cable gears, and new cables for virtually every application. The phone number to reach them at is: (414) 463-6660.

Speedometer cables may be purchased at your local auto parts store. Auto Meter speedometers come with a standard 5/8" x 18 threaded cable input that requires a .104" sq. male drive. The speedometer is calibrated for a 1:1 drive ratio (1,000 RPM at 60 MPH input at the speedometer head.)

If the vehicle tire size and/or rear end differential are not stock, a different driven gear in the transmission may be required for speedometer accuracy. If a change in the driven gear is made, you very likely will also have to change the drive gear in the transmission to maintain the proper gear tooth arrangement. Another approach is to use a "correcting ratio" drive joint to adjust the speedometer input to 1,000 RPM at 60MPH. The ratio can be determined by comparing your speedometer reading against another car having an accurate speedometer and dividing the same speed (Accurate speed / Your speed = Ratio needed.) Auto parts stores or speedometer specialty shops (see above) carry "correcting ratio" drive joints."