Author Topic: Which speedometer cable to use?  (Read 4349 times)

Offline greenacres

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Which speedometer cable to use?
« on: August 13, 2011, 11:32:57 AM »
Will a speedometer cable for an 83 Chevy pickup fit onto the speedometer of a 79 Chevy pickup?

It's a long story. I have a Chevy 1979 ½ ton four wheel drive that was originally built with a manual transmission. Last year someone converted it to an automatic transmission, and they put in a turbo 400 transmission and transfer case out of a GMC 1983 3/4 ton. They also put a 3" body lift on the truck. Now the original speedometer cable is just barely long enough, and it is almost kinked where it attaches to the transmission.

Recently the speedometer cable is making a loud noise like they do when they are worn out and so I'm going to replace it. If I buy a cable made for an 83 will it be long enough and will it attach okay to the speedometer?   
« Last Edit: August 13, 2011, 11:35:02 AM by greenacres »

Offline 1979C20

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Re: Which speedometer cable to use?
« Reply #1 on: August 13, 2011, 07:18:49 PM »
You need to buy one for a 4x4 truck with a th400  and it should be lonh enough. I dont think the year should matter, unless the different years had different transfer cases and the speedo output is on different sides. Id say do it for the 80s truck since thats what the tcase is out of.
1979 SCLB C20 Q-jet 350 SM465 14b F.F. 4.10 G80
1989 GMC Suburban V2500 TBI350 TH400 4in lift 35's 14b SF

Offline 1979C20

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Re: Which speedometer cable to use?
« Reply #2 on: August 13, 2011, 08:03:31 PM »
Also, you can pull your current speedo cable and take it to the auto parts store and have them match it up to the ones they have in stock and try to find one that is 3 or 4 inches longer. That would probably be your best bet. Then, youll have the part number and you can ask them what vehicle it was from for future reference.
1979 SCLB C20 Q-jet 350 SM465 14b F.F. 4.10 G80
1989 GMC Suburban V2500 TBI350 TH400 4in lift 35's 14b SF

Offline greenacres

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Re: Which speedometer cable to use?
« Reply #3 on: August 13, 2011, 09:59:29 PM »
Quote
Also, you can pull your current speedo cable and take it to the auto parts store and have them match it up to the ones they have in stock and try to find one that is 3 or 4 inches longer.

I guess that's the only way I can be sure of getting one that's long enough. Thanks for the good advice.
« Last Edit: August 13, 2011, 10:01:10 PM by greenacres »