Speedometer year changes

Z · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 6:31 pm Post subject: Speedometer year changes

OK, I know it's here, but I've searched and can't find it. I'm looking for the year differences in speedometers, and their interchangeability.

I'm sure the year to year changes are posted somewhere, but I'm not sure if I've ever seen any discussion of whether early speedos will work in a later bus, 6v with 12v, etc.

Thanks in advance....

VolksFire · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 7:02 pm Post subject:

Not sure about barndoors.

March 55 - 1960 70 MPH, Clear needle, red turn signal diamond.

(Note: I've heard the May 59-1960 bus with "bastard 40" has a unique speedo, but I'm not sure of exact details, looks the same as March 55 - 60 to me. Maybe someone else has more info.)

1961- December 1963 80 MPH, white needle, green turn signal arrows.

December 63 - 1967 Same as above, but with different ratio to accommodate new 14inch rims.

To my knowledge, those are the major differences. Voltage doesnt matter.
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SCZ9-1-1 · Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 9:39 pm Post subject:

Volksfire has it about right. There is a difference after 63 between the 14" and 15" rims. there is worm gear that is different inside to accommodate this change. You need to change the instrument bulbs to 12V if you are running a 12V system otherwise they burn out.

sventinker · Posted: Mon Aug 29, 2011 10:59 pm Post subject:

on July 2 1963 the USA bound buses had gear change markings on the speedometers.

http://oacdp.org/progref6268/e002.jpg
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Emeritusx · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:21 am Post subject:

in my 58:

Image may have been reduced in size. Click image to view fullscreen.

it's 6v but I am sure it would work on a newer model since they are mechanical just change the bulbs...
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EverettB · Posted: Tue Aug 30, 2011 9:24 am Post subject:

Interesting - My Bus Is July 8th and before that VIN # and it has gear change markings.

My '55 Bus has gear change markings... my '61 does not.
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Riff Raff · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 6:09 am Post subject:

Resurrecting this thread as recent activity suggest more subtle changes in speedos throughout their evolution.
For one thing, my June 61 has red directional flashers, not green as mentionad above.
Also, what are differences with the "bastard" May, June, July 60 speedos?
What makes them unique?
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Gabass · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:31 am Post subject:

Bastard speedos go up to 80 mph (90 for bugs), have no shift marks, and can have opaque or clear needles. These are worth a lot more than other speedos since they were only made for three months.

BarryL · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 10:54 am Post subject:

This doesn't affect you early cool speedo guys but late '67 is different on the face. It has smaller stubbier hash marks and a couple other subtle differences.

Kommercial · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:18 pm Post subject:

Its a may- july (3 month only) 1960 speedometer. The first 80mph speedo, but still had the clear needle. I still need to pick one up for my 60 mango.

Gabass · Posted: Sat Mar 16, 2013 4:50 pm Post subject:

Not all of them had the clear needle. Since they were made in the transition point of needles some had the clear and some had the opaque. Guess they were just trying to use up the leftover clear needles.

KOMBI NIKO · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:09 am Post subject:

mg6770 · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 8:27 am Post subject:

Correct me if I'm wrong, I've seen examples of '61 only buses with the red diamond. Does anyone know the exact dates of this? Thanks
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Gabass · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 4:02 pm Post subject:

4.60 was the last month for OEM speedometers to have the red diamond but they did continue to make speedometers like that afterwards to be sold as spare parts in dealerships and such. The one you saw was probably one of those. There was no 61 only speedo, it was 61 - 63.

Stocknazi · Samba Member Joined: June 18, 2004 Posts: 5150

Gabass · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 5:41 pm Post subject:

The speedo and engine were never paired together on purpose. They both however are called bastards and for that reason many people think they are related.

mg6770 · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 6:21 pm Post subject:

Riff Raff · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 7:18 pm Post subject:

To consolidate:

March 55 to April 1960 - 70 MPH, shift marks, clear needle, red diamond turn signal.

May, June, July 1960 - 80 MPH, no shift marks, clear or opaque needle, red turn signals.

August 60 - ?? 80 MPH, no shift marks, opaque needle, red turn signals.

?? to ?? shift marks reinstated.

?? to ?? green turn signals.

1964-1966 - Same as above but with slightly different gearing to account for 14" wheels.

1967 - smaller stubbier hash marks and couple other little differences.

Notable mention:
Aussie speedos with orange needles 61-63
Euro speedos were 100 kph during the 70 mph era and 120 kph in the 80 mph era
Dates unknown, but May 61 Euro (kph) speedo has no shift marks, but a red mark at 50 kph

Anybody able to clarify the date change for resurrection of shift marks?
Change from red turn signals to green?
What is the difference between a May- July 60 speedo with an opaque needle and an August 60 onward speedo?
Were there colour differences for the inner circle?
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Gabass · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:17 pm Post subject:

Green turn signal came about 8.60
shift marks came back on the 64 models so 8.63
Also the 64 model is geared different from 65-67
I believe the early 60s speedo is 8.60 to 7.63
Almost all speedo year changes were done in August. So saying a speedo is for a 63 means it was made between 8.62 and 7.63.
Only exception for this is the bastard speedo and the late barndoor speedo

EverettB · Posted: Sat Nov 23, 2013 10:34 pm Post subject:

To add some data points.

My old 2.60 Double Cab (70mph, red turn signal)

My 8.60 Double Cab (80mph, red turn signal)

My 7.63 15-Window (has shift marks, 1500cc model)

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