i'm ordering (hopefully) a new VSS gear to correct my speedometer because of larger tires. I told the company i wanted an 18 tooth VSS gear because thats what i've read and been told i need for the tire size i have now.
this is what the guy responded to me -

"What color, and how many teeth do you have on the
speedo gear that you now have. This will help me to determine the correct
direction of the teeth and the length of the stem for the 18 tooth gear that
you need."

can anybody tell me what i have in a 97 2wd F150? or is this something unique to each truck i have to take apart and look for?

thank your for any ideas and comments!
John

 

The VSS unit is easy to remove to check the gear for color and # of teeth. It's mounted on the side of the tranny near the rear and held in place with 1 small nut.

 

ok i tried to find the VSS gear last night and took apart the plastic housing that was sitting on top of my tranny. When we pulled it out of the pumpkin, we only found black oil/liquid. I couldnt see where there woiuld be another place for this gear. I'll look again, but do you know where i could find a picture of give me a more specific place to look?

thanks for any and all help! and thanks for your response fasterhorses!
John

 

You may not have one, my f-150 does not have one.
I just have a plate on the side on the tail shaft housing
of the tranny to cover up the hole were one would go.

All of my speed Info for the PCM(EEC), speedometer
odometer, Speed control and RABS comes from the
VSS sensor on the top center of my rear end housing.

I do not know how you would calibrate the speedometer
on these trucks.

 

weird,

maybe we both have the same problem, hopefully somebody will be able to point us in the right direction!
thanks for the reply though, i'm thinkin i might be goin crazy!

John

 

OOPS, I lied. I forgot mines a 4x4. The VSS comes out of the drivers side of the tailshaft housing just ahead of the driveshaft. It's black plastic looking held in place by a flange with one nut. To adjust my speedo after installing 4.56 gears I went to a speedo shop and the guy put a small gearbox between the VSS and the tailshaft housing. There are 3-4 gears in the box that you can change until you get a perfect reading on your speedo. There is a picture of the VSS & adaptor in my photo gallery

 

The sensor will be on the driver side of the tailshaft housing. Here are a couple of pics that may help you find it.

 

Here is what it says in the service manual from FORD

 

Hello Subford,
This is what I was told by the speedo shop guy. If your VSS is attached to the top of the diff then it can be adjusted electronically with a tuner. If the VSS is attached to the tranny or transfer case then it cannot be adjusted with a tuner. You can adjust it mechanically with gears (Tyre Match Box) or electronically by hardwiring in a chip (Yellow Box or Truspeed)

 

Thanks fasterhorses.

But mine is a 1995 and as far as I can find out a tuner only works with a 1996 or newer.

 

So this information is good for a 97. My service DVD says its on the tailshaft housing on a 97 F-150 4X2???

 

Subford,
What I have heard is in 96 and on back none can be fixed with a tuner. In 97-98 the VSS was being changed so some can and some can't. You have to verify where the VSS is on your vehicle. 99 & newer can be adjusted with a tuner but I would still find the VSS first.

Darrin,
Thats right, on the drivers side in the tailshaft housing just like in the pictures posted earlier. Good pics by the way

 

Thanks. I stole those fair and square

 

hey everybody, thanks for your repsonses and the pictures Darrin Burch, i will definitely be able to find the gear housing now! thanks again everybody its greatly apreciated!

John

 

It was in the manual.