Speedo gear or electic

[tenikiwon]

What year did they switch from a gear to electric?

 

[Okrazie1]

The speedo in your '97 is electric, but it uses a gear driven VSS. I believe 1998 was the first year that the rear ABS sensor was used for the speedo signal.

 

[tenikiwon]

So to compensate for going with 33s what do I need to swap, change, or adjust, or is it even worth it?

 

[Alec]

You just need to change the $7 speedo gear, and yes it is worth it. Tell us what gears you have (if you're changing them) and exactly what size tires you're getting and we'll tell you how many teeth to go up or down.

 

[tenikiwon]

I put 33s on and my truck is at the shop. I asked the shop to pull the gear and they just said it was electric. Because I need to other other parts I was going to have them include that in the list. Where exactally is it, what do I descript.

I had small stock (not the over sized) Mine were like 28.9 P235 Maybe.

Now I have true 33x12.5

I have Axle code D4 3.73 LS, and my speedo is off by 7mph at 60mph according to GPS.

 

[Alec]

I think you need a speedo gear 2 teeth smaller than stock. Your speedo sensor will be inserted into the transfer case.

BTW, 3.73s will be a bit high for 33s. 4.10s or 4.56 would be much better. Don't change the speedo gear if you are planning on changing diff gears.

 

[tenikiwon]

Yeah, I'm thinking about 4:10s or 4:56, but that'll be a while. Trying to decide if I should just save up to get gears with lockers, or wait for gears and get a rear locker and possibly a winch.

Driving I've done isn't too bad, but haven't taken it off-road yet.

 

[Alec]

You'll save approx $300 on labor by getting the rear locker and gears at the same time.

I had 3.73s for 4 months with my 33s and it was doable. Keep in mind though I have much more power than you do and I still didn't like it after a short while. Now I have 4.30s (not an option with a stock front diff) and love it.

 

[tenikiwon]

Originally posted by Alec
You'll save approx $300 on labor by getting the rear locker and gears at the same time.

That's why I was thinking about waiting and getting lockers and gears at the same time. Money wise I have to wait

Power in normal driving doesn't bother me. It's the off-road ability that will speed up my decision for gearing. Do you think it will be that different?

 

[Alec]

Since you have low range, you'll just want to use that more. Since I'm only 2wd, I needed the gearing to make up for lack of low range.

I'm also getting better highway mileage since the gear swap.

 

[Robert]

I put 33" metric equivalents on my '97 SOHC that came equipped stock with 4.10s. Now if power wasn't a primary concern of mine, the 4.10s are doable. As soon as I am able though, I am willing to spend $1700 to regear to 4.56s to put my power band back to where Ford designed it. The deciding factor? Getting beat by a mid to late '90s Ford super cab diesel while it was pulling a trailer loaded with landscaping equipment. It took me to about 40 MPH before I could catch back up and pass him.

 

[tenikiwon]

Acceloration doesn't concern me. My main concern is off-road ability. My X isn't going to grow to Ricks capabilities but I would like to to perform well enough to enjoy it and then be the tow vehicle for when I build a true off-roader.

Along with what I stated above. I plan to eventually swap in an 8 and will prolly go to 4:10, but will wait and do front/rear ARB......that's the plan for now. With money the way it is I might just wait and get a PowerTrax Auto-locker for now