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4 different speedometers in CJ5s?!

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by evanjm, Apr 11, 2007.

  1. Apr 11, 2007
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
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    This has been bugging me for a while. Maybe someone older and wiser has an answer to this...

    From what I can understand, from '55 to '83 CJ5s have had 3 different speedometer gauges.

    The first black and white face, with white needle, and a white ring around the middle. numbering 1 - 9. I believe this to be '55 up through maybe '60-ish? (My '57 has this gauge, where my '62 does not)

    The second gauge is black and white face, with red needle, and no ring around the middle. numbering 1 - 9. You can still buy these gauges as factory replacements.

    The third gauge is black and white face, red needle off chrome ring. numbering 0-90. chrome ring surrounding gauge. The funny thing is that these gauges are listed as fitting 55-75..? I believe this gauge came about sometime around '72 when AMC started offering the upgraded trim model CJs.

    The fourth and final gauge is black and white face, red needle, numbering 5-85. I believe these gauges came in 80-83 CJ5s. These are also available to buy.

    Now what I'm confused on is this: what happened to the original gauge with the white ring around the middle? You can't seem to find these anywhere to buy as replacements. And to make matters more confusing. I've seen '55 - '60 CJ5s with the "second gauge" in them instead of that first gauge.

    Does anyone know when they switched the gauges over? Or have anything to shed on this?

    Thanks,
    Evan
     
  2. Apr 11, 2007
    ghost122488

    ghost122488 AKA Jason

    Leesville, Louisiana
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    I have the second gauge listed... the one with the red needle numbering 0-9. That is a '70 manufactured in Oct. '69

    mine currently looks like this...[​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2007
  3. Apr 11, 2007
    Boyink

    Boyink Super Moderator Staff Member

    Tulsa, OK
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    Don't let the years that the aftermarket suppliers indicate in parts listings confuse you -- what they list is a "Fits" number, not a "correct for" number.

    The 0-9 speedos aren't available new, so the aftermarket offers the intermediate version as it will "fit" an early.
     
  4. Apr 11, 2007
    Doug/Tucson

    Doug/Tucson Member

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    What I was told yesterday by Willys works that the early CJ fives had two
    Different speedometers but were actually the same speedomer with a different face. I do not know what the years he was talking about but it was only the face that was changed. Meaning there was only one
    with a different dial face. I am sure once the jeeps were capable of a higher speed. They must have changed them definitely buy this point. Again, this is only what I was told
    Duog/Tucson
     
  5. Apr 11, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    Jeep speedometers (CJs at least) never went higher than 9 or 90.

    What Boyink said is correct.
     
  6. Apr 11, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    As near as I can tell, this is a 1955 CJ5 speedo, someone please correct me if I'm wrong!

    [​IMG]

    And as near as I can tell, this is a 1956 CJ5 speedo. AFAIK, the only ones that stopped at 8. I have two of these, and this one was in another '56. I'm sure that's not the right needle though. Mine are both straight, white lines with a round hub.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Apr 11, 2007
  7. Apr 11, 2007
    Doug/Tucson

    Doug/Tucson Member

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    This is the speedo that came with my 1955. It is the same as the one that came with my 1963 no guarantee It is original to the 55 Cj5
    Doug/Tucson

    [​IMG]
     
  8. Apr 11, 2007
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
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    Rons' first pic = '55 only, second pic is correct for '56 (same as my original),Dougs pic is correct for '57-on. AFAIK
     
  9. Apr 11, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Hey SIDSCJ, can you put up a photo of yours?
     
  10. Apr 11, 2007
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
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    My '57 is the same as Ron's second pic, only mine has a white needle and the numbering goes to 9.

    Seems like Willys was pulling another one of it's infamous "use up the parts that you've got before making new ones"

    - Evan
     
  11. Apr 11, 2007
    SIDSCJ

    SIDSCJ Jeep addict

    14th State
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    Ron, if I can get my camera to work I will, although the white needle is busted off, lying in the bottom of the gauge:( . Evan, note the difference in the faces of the two. '56 has white numbers over dots, later has numbers over dashes with orange pointers for speed and temp/fuel. FWIW, I've never seen the '56 version (number/dots/white pointers) numbered up to 9 as OE, but that don't mean it aint so............................
     
  12. Apr 11, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Evan - does yours have the white dots and the white ring, and it goes to 9? On both of mine, the skinny white pointer needle is also broken off. I've seen another '56 with a broken needle too. Must be why they changed them.
     
  13. Apr 12, 2007
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
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    Yep, mine has the white dots, the white ring, and goes to 9... Here's a picture:

    [​IMG]

    What I'd like to find are replacement temp and fuel gauges for that. I haven't seen them anywhere. Any ideas?

    - Evan
     
  14. Apr 12, 2007
    1960willyscj5

    1960willyscj5 Well-Known Member

    Mesa, Arizona
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    The one in my '60 is black face with orange letters/numbers and needle.
    I can't post a picture of it right now, cause the site won't let me.

    It's been acting weird since Saturday, or maybe it is just me. Although none of the others I go to are acting up.
     
  15. Apr 12, 2007
    sparky

    sparky Sandgroper Staff Member Founder

    Perth, WA
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    I'm gonna be saving this pics in the picture bank for future reference and help IDing years. This is good stuff.
     
  16. Apr 12, 2007
    kaiser_willys

    kaiser_willys Well-Known Member

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    :drool: that looks nice
     
    Last edited: May 27, 2007
  17. Apr 12, 2007
    Rondog

    Rondog just hangin' out

    Parker, CO
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    Guess I need to get my '56 speedos out of their box and shoot some pics, thought I had some but guess I don't.
     
  18. Apr 13, 2007
    brandon11130

    brandon11130 Master ghetto fabricator

    bethlehem PA
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    anyone have a pic of a 71 speedo? mine is not like the early ones previously listed, and its not like the AMC ones either. ill get a pic of it when i get home.
     
  19. Apr 13, 2007
    evanjm

    evanjm Yeah, it's got an F-head.

    Leesburg, VA
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    I remember seeing an early 70s CJ5 Renegade with this speedo:

    [​IMG]
     
  20. Apr 13, 2007
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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