Stovebolt.com Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk GPS speedometer

This item is certainly NOT for everyone.
I have a 1995 Nissan truck with a speedometer that works now and then.
It probably has a bad solder joint somewhere. It works for a while and then it goes to zero for a while.
So I bought a dashboard digital display GPS speedometer. The screen has large numbers and many functions besides the speed. It was around $29 on Amazon and it actually works pretty well. All it needs is a 12V cigarette lighter socket for power.
I mention this because I know some folks here have an old truck with a nonfunctioning speedometer and you might like to get one of these. Simply unplug it and store it in the glove box at the next car show and nobody will ask questions (if such a thing might embarrass you).
Mine was reading 2 MPH higher than my phone GPS app so I read the instructions and calibrated it to read correctly.
Photo attached shows minutes of driving time as 8, distance is 4.5 miles and speed is 63. Since that picture I’ve changed the screen to show the time of day instead of the driving time. I’m pleased.

I'm going to look into that since I'm changing my single speed rear axle gears to a 2 speed, my current original speedometer is not accurate anyway due to larger than factory tires.

Lugnutz,

Is that device mounted via a suction cup to the windshield???

Got a source for it???

I like the thinking behind temp install and packing away for show and tell time. 👍

Here’s a link. Amazon link for GPS speedo I bought. [smile.amazon.com]

Suction cup to windshield or sticker on dash options. About the size of a large cell phone.
Does Km or MPH. No fees to pay.

Thanks for the info.

Thinking I will look into this a bit further.

Thanks again! 👍

You can buy a speedometer ratio adapter to get your dash gauge in sync with the transmission after you change tire size and rear end, etc. Compare the gauge reading with actual speed from a GPS or mile marker. Determine percentage that it's high or low and order the adapter with the correct ratio.

It threads into the tranny and the cable threads into it and your gauge will then read correctly.

http://www.clarkbrothers.net/ratio_adapters.html

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/ratio-adapter-other-ratios-available-call-jim-1-888-2012066/

If you want to go that route on an old truck, this here probably blends in much better,
and if you resurface it to match the original appearance, most folks would probably never notice.

Frank

You can buy a speedometer ratio adapter to get your dash gauge in sync with the transmission after you change tire size and rear end, etc. Compare the gauge reading with actual speed from a GPS or mile marker. Determine percentage that it's high or low and order the adapter with the correct ratio.

It threads into the tranny and the cable threads into it and your gauge will then read correctly.

http://www.clarkbrothers.net/ratio_adapters.html

https://transmissioncenter.net/shop/ratio-adapter-other-ratios-available-call-jim-1-888-2012066/[/quote]Thanks Otto for the added info, my truck already has a ratio adapter on the tranny so I know that everything will fit, I should try running it without the current adapter and see what my speedo reads. One thing I didn't want to try to add is the 2 speed vacuum actuated adapter under the dash, I can barely get the speedo cable attached as it is!

I've bought 2 replacement 'used' speedometers for my truck. I've bought a replacement gear adapter for it also.
The speedometer still doesn't work.

I now have a speedometer app for my cell phone that I use. It's not because I speed, I just like to know how fast I'm driving to keep above the 40 mph minimum on the Interstate.

I tried every color gear in a tranny cable kit and ended up back at the white one po had in it. Mileage indicator was way off with the others. Not that it means much on these old trucks considering the engine and drive train swaps that happen. My speedometer is off by 30 mph on average. I might bend needle the next time I have speedo out if dash. I purchased a magnetic based phone holder (they sell them for use on lockers at the gym) and stick it on the driver side corner of dash. With free iPhone app, Speedometer, I have a speed, time, temperature, weather, and maybe a compass. You can double tap screen for HUD view if you like the reflection in your windshield.