Speedometer Conversion

[smilinjack]

Hello to all, hope everybody is stayin' healthy!
Dilemma----- I've swapped a 351 (carburetor) Cleveland , w/ manual trans into my 95 Ranger. After the wiring nightmare I THINK I've solved I'm now faced with an electronic speedometer that needs to be cable driven OR whatever conversion I can do.
Any ideas out there, short of tearing out the instrument panel?? Thanks

 

[franklin2]

Here's a article on it. https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/speedometer.shtml

What are the chances your original speed sensor that plugged in the transmission will insert in your new/old transmission? How many wires did you get rid of?

 

[smilinjack]

Thanks for the info, although I trashed the computer and the Power Distribution Box underhood. So I've got a 95 Ranger speedo and instruments with a 1971 Cleveland and toploader 4 spd. I was hoping I could somehow adapt the stock speedo or perhaps replace JUST the speedo (previous year cable type) into the existing configuration??? I really don't want to replace the entire cluster but, if I have to I'll start with a blank and configure with new gauges

 

[holyford86]

if the trans uses the pretty standard ford speedometer cable the vss from the 95 will fit right into the trans and operate the speedo, no conversion necessary

 

[RonD]

+1 ^^^

Ford electric speedometers use 8,000ppm(pulse per mile) AC Volt signal
Starting in the mid-late 1980s Ford was running a VSS(vehicle speed sensor) AND Speedometer cable using the same transmission drive/driven gear setup used since the first cable driven speedometers

The VSS was used by cruise and computer, cable was used for speedo/odo

So on your older transmission there will be a the drive/driven gear setup that you can use for VSS

Get that combo VSS/cable unit from original trans, look like this: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/speedsensor.gif

Pull out your cable only drive from current trans
Pull off its driven gear and install it on the VSS/cable unit and reinstall, looks like this: https://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/images/speed/vss_withgear.JPG

Your 1995 Ranger wiring harness should still have the VSS connector back by trans tail shaft
Just plug it in, its wired directly to electric speedometer

If speedometer reads higher or lower than actual speed then you can change the driven gear to calibrate it, just like "the old days"

 

[smilinjack]

To be clear, you're saying that after I change the gear drive on the existing VSS to fit the toploaders gear drive there is no further wiring changes other than just reconnecting the original harness connector? Even after deleting the PCM? I've finally thrown the towel in on deleting the Engine Compartment Fuse/ Relay Box. I decided to mount it in the dash where the Air Bag would go. I figured I may as well use the relays and fuses to power what's left instead of just buying new ones (relays) and finding a place for them?? Thanks for the info you forwarded, HUGE help!!

 

[RonD]

Correct, no changes in wiring needed on a 1995-1997 Ranger if using VSS sensor on transmission

If speedo reads higher or lower than correct speed then you change the driven gear on the VSS to fewer or more teeth, just like in the "Olden days", lol

 

[smilinjack]

Great news!! Thanks