Gps Speedo

Anyone tried adapting a cheapo gps speedo to your original speedo face plate? Im thinking tear the gps speedo apart mount it to the back of original faceplate, attach to old pointer . What things am I missing?

 

Spacing on the face numbers may not match what the gauge is registering. 25 may show 30 etc. Now if your willing to memorize what the numbers really mean 30 mph = 22 mph than its fine . My Harley gauge is 7 mph off,and I just adjust in my head when I ride.

 

I think that would be the real issue. On my OT 1 ton that needs a new speedometer or upper cable I have an inexpensive Ebay gps speedometer that is usually set in the cubby in the dash that one's cigarette pack or phone would set in and plugs into the lighter that works fine going down the road. On a rod or custom it could be hidden out of the way until you figure out what to do with the actual speedometer.

 

They make lots of different ones, if you could find one with the same sweep and same speed range as yours you might be able to make it work.

 

There’s an ap for that use your smart phone for a speedometer.

 

Well, mine "ain't " pretty. I have been running a Speedhut GPS speedometer with tach since about 2012. I am a hack , according to some. BTAIM. I cut pieces of corrugated cardboard to fit the back of the speedometer, Glued them , maybe 4 pieces, together. Velcroed to the back of the GPS and Velcro to the glass of the original speedometer. Works for me.

Ben

 

Could always print a decal with the vintage script to put over the GPS speedo face. Planning a GPS speedo myself but just getting a plain black face one with standard white block numbers

 

Speedhut makes a GPS sender that spins a cable to use on older speedometers

 

Or, you could install a real speedometer. It's traditional, or at least traditional looking.

 

They sure do! Works real well as long as the original speedometer holds out.

Ben

 

It depends on whether your transmission has a speedo drive, or not. When I built my Plymouth, I used an AX-15 5 speed. It wasn't until I was pretty far down the road that I looked at the tranny and asked myself, "where's the speedometer drive?" Oh shit, they used electronic signals (probably off the ABS) to generate the speedometer function. At that point, I was relieved to find a nice looking set of gauges that fit in with my build and that had a GPS driven speedometer option.

 

You'd have to make sure the numbers on the face and sweep of both gauges match exactly or the readings would be off. You'll also need to make sure you have the physical room for the guts, since they use stepper motors.
I've got a GPS speedo in my 55. It reads dead nuts, but it can be slow to react to fast changes in speed and can occasionally lose connection in heavily wooded areas and tunnels.

 

I have really liked the speed hut speedo I put in my 1979 MGB. I combined it with a gas gauge and turn signal indicator model. The font matches pretty well with the Stewart Warner triple gauge set in the console.

 

Nice thing about that is that it has a mode where it picks up a transmission signal and uses the GPS to calibrate the output — after which the GPS becomes redundant.

 

Where I am phone-based speedometer apps are way inaccurate — and they underread, which is a problem.

 

Since this is in the OT section and talking about GPS and even has mention of phones already, I'd like to tap the knowledge bank. What is a good app? By good, I want a good reliable reading and no intrusive caca from the app, like tracking and personal data gathering. Just a downloadable program that uses the phone's installed GPS to convert to rate of speed, no gimmicks, no reporting, no connection to the mothership.

 

I like "Speedometer Simple" if you have iOS. Nice and clean appearing. You can have a on-screen gauge, just numbers, or both. You can also mirror the numbers and use as a HUD on your windshied if that's your jam.

 

Android, but thanks! More input the better. I asked at the local phone store, but they gave the usual corporate answer. Check reviews, you want one that has a lot of them, all good.
Since I've currently got no speedo or tach, it's just by traffic or ear.
There are a couple nearby school zones with radar signs, but I think they would frown on me checking engine tone to speed higher than 15 MPH!

 

While we're on the subject, and as RodStRace noted this is the OT forum, I grabbed one of these for my recently acquired Camaro since the EFI display blocks the factory speedo.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDKJNN7H?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

You do need a USB connection to power it, but it seems to be pretty accurate. If the form factor bothers you, it looks like the display and guts can be removed and hidden away pretty easily to be less conspicuous.

 

On my Android phone I use "Speedometer"...works great.

 

Actually can use an Apple Watch…speedo on your wrist!

 

Just a GPS Apple Watch is 230.
https://www.samsclub.com/p/apple-watch-se-gps-44mm/P03024067
I don't wear watches, either. I think I'd rather get the dash install. Thanks for the suggestion, though.
I may get the one @Mr. Sinister posted, but hate supporting the megalopolies.

 

I use 2 different app's /Device.
Speed Box 8 or so year's ,
Dragy , the size of Bic lighter .

 

Honestly when using my phone to check speed I just use Google navigation. Just type in a random address and it'll keep track of speed. Actually how I checked the accuracy of the mechanical speedometer in my 53 after I got it running

 

Like so lol