speedo dial diameter

An alchemy of sparks, copper wire and earth

Moderators: User administrators, Moderators

Post Reply
User avatar
jordan01070
Registered user
Posts: 25
Joined: 09 Jun 2024, 10:49
80-90 Mem No: 17724
Location: Birmingham

speedo dial diameter

Post by jordan01070 »

HI does anybody know the speedo diameter for a late 1.9 dg petrol engine as the cable has broken again and I am looking at getting a gps speedo, I would like the one from slaughter house customs but they have been out of stock for a while and I don't really want to spend £300 plus for the gowesty one. 

Amazon have some 110mm and 85mm speedo so I was going to try and retro fit one but my camper is away getting some work done hence the question.

cheers

Jordan
1988 t25 Autosleeper Trident 1.9 DG called Rodney

User avatar
Aidan
Trader
Posts: 7298
Joined: 11 Oct 2005, 19:21
80-90 Mem No: 742
Location: Llanfyllin, mid Wales : )

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by Aidan »

about 97mm I think
AIDAN :)

keynsham1
Registered user
Posts: 507
Joined: 27 Sep 2015, 06:41
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by keynsham1 »

I bought mine from GoWesty in the USA. They are $175 which works out around £175 or thereabouts when including postage, and there is no VAT or import duty to add on. It is brilliant!! You can set the mileage to your current mileage and it has a button which I mounted just above my headlight switch for trip meter selection and resetting.

Literally a couple of wires and a plug in GPS aerial.

Electronic Speedometer Kit (MPH) [Vanagon] | GVW-SPEEDO-KIT | GoWesty

User avatar
jordan01070
Registered user
Posts: 25
Joined: 09 Jun 2024, 10:49
80-90 Mem No: 17724
Location: Birmingham

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by jordan01070 »

I did consider ordering from gowesty but knowing my luck I would also end up paying vat and import duty etc.
1988 t25 Autosleeper Trident 1.9 DG called Rodney

silverbullet
Trader
Posts: 17475
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
80-90 Mem No: 6908
Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
Contact:

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by silverbullet »

You can buy a lot of speedo cables for the price of a GPS widget. Why try to reinvent the wheel?
Is there an installation fault? The cables should have a P clip to secure them to the front underframe iirc
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys

keynsham1
Registered user
Posts: 507
Joined: 27 Sep 2015, 06:41
80-90 Mem No: 0

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by keynsham1 »

silverbullet wrote: 18 May 2026, 20:20 You can buy a lot of speedo cables for the price of a GPS widget. Why try to reinvent the wheel?
Is there an installation fault? The cables should have a P clip to secure them to the front underframe iirc

I just couldn't stop my speedo clicking loudly and the needle jumping all the time. I drove me mad. I tried a new cable and a different speedo but the issue was caused where the cable comes into the dash as it comes through a hole then goes down under the edge of the servo and then up again into the speedo. I guess VW knew how to make this work silently but I tried everything and failed!! It is also nice to have a speedo which is deadly accurate as well there being so many daft speed limits and cameras around these days!!

I did the SHC rev counter and wiring mod at the same time!!

The Hairy Camper
Registered user
Posts: 434
Joined: 03 May 2017, 00:19
80-90 Mem No: 16820
Location: Cheshire

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by The Hairy Camper »

I'm currently using a speedometer app on my mobile as I've broken 2 brand new speedo cables. I installed/routed them the same way as the old one, but they both lasted less than 10 miles.

I've ordered a 3rd cable from brickwerks, but the app has been working fine so far. The app was free too!
1984 Autosleeper, pop-top, 1.9 1Y, 5-Speed

User avatar
jordan01070
Registered user
Posts: 25
Joined: 09 Jun 2024, 10:49
80-90 Mem No: 17724
Location: Birmingham

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by jordan01070 »

I would love to keep the original speedo but this would be the third speedo cable I have replaced, the last one lasted 57 miles. The square drive that goes into the speedo is what keeps snapping I have checked that the speedo drive rotates freely and that there is no sharp bend in the cable that could increase friction.

There are a couple of gps gauges on Amazon ranging from £40 to £70 and the diameter is either 85mm or 110mm, having a trip gauge would be nice but I would settle for total mileage, which if fitted would be a cheaper alternative.
1988 t25 Autosleeper Trident 1.9 DG called Rodney

The Hairy Camper
Registered user
Posts: 434
Joined: 03 May 2017, 00:19
80-90 Mem No: 16820
Location: Cheshire

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by The Hairy Camper »

Same part kept snapping on me. No sharp bends or kinks either. I have a spare speedo which may be worth testing though.

I would like the original speedo to function, but I could honestly get used to just using my phone app instead. I usually have google maps on if it's not on the speedo app anyway.

My mechanic told me not to worry about the mileage not increasing. Said it doesn't matter on older vehicles?
1984 Autosleeper, pop-top, 1.9 1Y, 5-Speed

silverbullet
Trader
Posts: 17475
Joined: 08 Jun 2009, 09:51
80-90 Mem No: 6908
Location: Surrey Syncronaut #156
Contact:

Re: speedo dial diameter

Post by silverbullet »

keynsham1 wrote: 19 May 2026, 13:40
silverbullet wrote: 18 May 2026, 20:20 You can buy a lot of speedo cables for the price of a GPS widget. Why try to reinvent the wheel?
Is there an installation fault? The cables should have a P clip to secure them to the front underframe iirc

I just couldn't stop my speedo clicking loudly and the needle jumping all the time. I drove me mad. I tried a new cable and a different speedo but the issue was caused where the cable comes into the dash as it comes through a hole then goes down under the edge of the servo and then up again into the speedo. I guess VW knew how to make this work silently but I tried everything and failed!! It is also nice to have a speedo which is deadly accurate as well there being so many daft speed limits and cameras around these days!!

I did the SHC rev counter and wiring mod at the same time!!

Installation error by a PO. On a RHD, the cable should come off the Speedo in a gentle downward arc over the lip of the speedo and out though the front bulkhead, down the side of the radiator before sweeping back over/behind the spare wheel towards the nearside stub axle.
Can't speak for a LHD, never had one.
1985 Oettinger 3.2 Caravelle RHD syncro twin slider. SA Microbus bumpers, duplex winch system, ARC 7X15 period alloys

Post Reply