Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Hazieview · 11-05-2007, 02:59 PM

I am wanting to swap out my guages with modern day guages and just flush mount them in the plastic bezel. All the guages look pretty straight forward expect the speedometer guage. The factory guage runs off of a cable.

Would I need an adapter to hook up an aftermarket speedometer?

Does anyone know where to get good guages for a good price?

Thanks for your help!

Hazieview · 11-05-2007, 07:29 PM

I called a few auto parts stores and they looked at me like I was talking about building a rocket soooo... I'm pretty much relying on you guys to help me out. I have searched all over the net and I can not find anything.

My speedometer hooks into a cable. The newer guages have wires....? Is there an adapter I can buy? I've seen it done. How'd they do it?

boxrodz · 11-05-2007, 07:57 PM

To run an electrical speedometer, you'll need a mechanical -to- electrical sending unit. Autometer, VDO, Steward Warner and a few others offer a speedometer sender for these trucks, including Summit Racing: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...23594&D=323594. They can be had for around $55.

Check out Autometer's site (http://autometer.com/cat_gaugeseries.aspx) for their product line. They make good gauges. You may also try VDO and Steward Warner. Then, visit Summit Racing for prices.

Hazieview · 11-05-2007, 08:13 PM

dude your my new hero. Thanks a million!

PhilaTruck · 11-06-2007, 09:12 AM

Swervin-Ervin's guide:

73-87.com-Dashmounted guages It's one of the best around.

You might also check the FAQ.

Good luck! Post your progress with pix, if possible.

Thanks-

-Todd

**old Rusty C10** · 11-06-2007, 09:28 AM

my buddy just did a similar swap and the only problem he ran into was that his new guage also had a tach and because the vehicle he took the guages out of was a six cylinder and the truck he put them into was a large eight, the tachometer was off. He said something about having to do some kind of adjustment on the computer or something? I dunno i dont get that far into these mods but its something you may want to investigate into.. also he did this on another brand of truck

Hazieview · 11-10-2007, 12:43 AM

Instead of converting to an electrical guage could I just use a mechanical speedometer with an adapter. Like this...

Mechanical Guage
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku

Adapter
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=VDO-200203

Would this work on my '81/'87? It's not fuel injected.

Thanks for your help.

Hazieview · 11-10-2007, 10:20 PM

anyone?

**Captkaos** · 11-10-2007, 10:52 PM

I was going to suggest just getting a mechanical speedo. So yea, it will work.

11-05-2007, 02:59 PM	#1
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! I am wanting to swap out my guages with modern day guages and just flush mount them in the plastic bezel. All the guages look pretty straight forward expect the speedometer guage. The factory guage runs off of a cable. Would I need an adapter to hook up an aftermarket speedometer? Does anyone know where to get good guages for a good price? Thanks for your help!

11-05-2007, 07:29 PM	#2
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! I called a few auto parts stores and they looked at me like I was talking about building a rocket soooo... I'm pretty much relying on you guys to help me out. I have searched all over the net and I can not find anything. My speedometer hooks into a cable. The newer guages have wires....? Is there an adapter I can buy? I've seen it done. How'd they do it?

11-05-2007, 07:57 PM	#3
boxrodz Until Seventy Times Seven Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Rocky Mountain Front Range Posts: 1,301	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! To run an electrical speedometer, you'll need a mechanical -to- electrical sending unit. Autometer, VDO, Steward Warner and a few others offer a speedometer sender for these trucks, including Summit Racing: http://store.summitracing.com/egnsea...23594&D=323594. They can be had for around $55. Check out Autometer's site (http://autometer.com/cat_gaugeseries.aspx) for their product line. They make good gauges. You may also try VDO and Steward Warner. Then, visit Summit Racing for prices. __________________ boxRODz 1983 C10 SWB Fleetside When two halves is gone, there's nuthin left. Two nothings is nuthin. That's mathematics son. You can argue with me but you can't argue with figures. Two half nothings is a whole nuthin...

11-05-2007, 08:13 PM	#4
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! dude your my new hero. Thanks a million!

11-06-2007, 09:12 AM	#5
PhilaTruck Right on the line, baby! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Phila, PA 19130 Posts: 1,486	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! Swervin-Ervin's guide: 73-87.com-Dashmounted guages It's one of the best around. You might also check the FAQ. Good luck! Post your progress with pix, if possible. Thanks- -Todd __________________ 83 GMC 406 th400/3.73 Eaton Truetrac posi, headers, x pipe, & racePros. Tubular control arms, lowering rear springs, caltracs. Still ugly, but getting built right, although slowly Click and scroll down for site vendors! Subscribe here!

11-06-2007, 09:28 AM	#6
old Rusty C10 Robert Olson Transport Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: recent transplant to NC USA Posts: 20,310	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! my buddy just did a similar swap and the only problem he ran into was that his new guage also had a tach and because the vehicle he took the guages out of was a six cylinder and the truck he put them into was a large eight, the tachometer was off. He said something about having to do some kind of adjustment on the computer or something? I dunno i dont get that far into these mods but its something you may want to investigate into.. also he did this on another brand of truck __________________ Bob 1951 International running on a squarebody chassis "If a man's worth is judged by the people he associates himself with, then i am the richest man in the world knowing some of the fine people of this board" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/a...t.php?f=25&a=9 (you can review the site rules here!) PM Me for your vehicle/parts hauling needs in the North East US or see my Facebook page Robert Olson Transport Live each day to the fullest.. you never know when fate is going to pull the rug out from under you... I hate cancer!!

11-10-2007, 12:43 AM	#7
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! Instead of converting to an electrical guage could I just use a mechanical speedometer with an adapter. Like this... Mechanical Guage http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku Adapter http://store.summitracing.com/partde...art=VDO-200203 Would this work on my '81/'87? It's not fuel injected. Thanks for your help. Last edited by Hazieview; 11-10-2007 at 10:19 PM.

11-10-2007, 10:20 PM	#8
Hazieview Building Dreams out of Dimes! Join Date: May 2005 Location: Bonham, Tx Posts: 892	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! anyone?

11-10-2007, 10:52 PM	#9
Captkaos www.73-87chevytrucks.com Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 6,935	Re: Replacing Speedometer Guage Help! I was going to suggest just getting a mechanical speedo. So yea, it will work. __________________ Chris Lucas 1973 Chevy C-10 1978 GMC Jimmy (2WD) - SOLD 1987 R10 twin turbo LS 1991 R3500 SRW CrewCab 1985 K5 diesel swapped project 1989 K5 2WD conversion w/ Vette susp Project Captkaos Customs 73-87chevytrucks.com

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