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Speedometer Restoration Referral

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by RMC1960, Jan 20, 2023.

  1. Jan 20, 2023
    RMC1960

    RMC1960 New Member

    Fort Worth TX
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    Dec 30, 2022
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    I am in the process of restoring my 1970 CJ 5, and the speedometer is tired - Any referrals are appreciated.
     
  2. Jan 20, 2023
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Dec 12, 2009
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    I don't know of one, but you may be able to find a good speedometer shop that can restore yours for less than the price of an NOS unit - or you may not.

    The NOS units have been increasingly hard to find over the past several years, and are becoming more expensive when they do pop up. Here's an example:

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/144863443128?_trkparms=amclksrc=ITM&aid=111001&algo=REC.SEED&ao=1&asc=20160811114145&meid=448d0ab0d6534e34addb6c89d17a5187&pid=100667&rk=1&rkt=8&sd=144863443128&itm=144863443128&pmt=0&noa=1&pg=2351460&_trksid=p2351460.c100667.m2042

    I believe Debella Jeep Parts had some NOS speedo assemblies a few years back, but I'm not sure if they still do, or if so what their price might be. It might be worth checking, though.

    If you do end up going with an NOS one, you'll need to open it up and carefully clean out the old grease, which tended to harden over time, and replace it with new white lithium grease.
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2023
  3. Jan 21, 2023
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    just wow . 500 bucks :shock:
     
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  4. Jan 21, 2023
    RMC1960

    RMC1960 New Member

    Fort Worth TX
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    Dec 30, 2022
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    Thanks - I had a speedo rebuilt for my 1983 MB 380 SL a few years ago cost me $235, I would hope getting the 70 CJ done would be at or less than that.

    $500 is approach the acquisition cost for the jeep!!
     
  5. Jan 21, 2023
    RMC1960

    RMC1960 New Member

    Fort Worth TX
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    Dec 30, 2022
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    Btw that speedo is for an AMC, mine would have been produced as a Willys --
     
  6. Jan 21, 2023
    nickmil

    nickmil In mothballs.

    Happy Valley, OR
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    Sep 23, 2002
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    That is a Willys era speedometer style and correct for about 1958ish up to 1971.
    Do you currently have something different? Maybe it’s been changed if so.
     
  7. Jan 21, 2023
    RMC1960

    RMC1960 New Member

    Fort Worth TX
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    I will post a picture later today.
     
  8. Jan 21, 2023
    Beach66Bum

    Beach66Bum 1966 Tuxedo Park Mark IV 2024 Sponsor

    Big Island on...
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    wow the price has jumped! It was already pricy at $300 USD when I bought mine years ago from the eBay seller bluemoonscooter.
     
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  9. Jan 21, 2023
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    Yeah I bought mine from bluemoonscooter too, probably 7 or 8 years ago. When I found that one on eBay for $500, I checked his eBay store to see if he still had any listed, but I guess he must have eventually run out of them.
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
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  10. Jan 21, 2023
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    got one when he first started selling them 150
    didn't know at time he had a hundred of them . and the price kept going up
    but that was more than the one I got in early 80's for a mere 90 bucks . from a catalog
    still on shelf in box . sorry not for sale
    speedo - Copy.jpg
     
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  11. Jan 21, 2023
    maurywhurt

    maurywhurt Member 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Western North...
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    I remember reading somewhere that bluemoonscooter’s stash of NOS Jeep speedos and gauges had come from a warehouse in Vietnam. The story was that during the war, the US Govt had supposedly stockpiled a bunch of Jeep parts for models used by the military, like the M606 variant of the CJ-3b. After the US left the country, the warehouse was taken over, and some of the contents eventually ended up on eBay.

    I don’t know whether it’s true or not, but it’s a good story!
     
    Last edited: Jan 21, 2023
  12. Jan 21, 2023
    Cj5dale

    Cj5dale Member 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Knoxville, Tn
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    I bought one about 3 years ago for $250
     
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  13. Jan 21, 2023
    tom h

    tom h New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Buffalo NY
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    Dec 3, 2006
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    I have read good reviews at a company named , Red Line . I personally had a bad experience with Bob’s Speedometer.I sent my gauges for estimate, waited one month for estimate. Then I called , was told he will call me back tomorrow by 3PM three different times at which time I ask for gauges back. Instrument Specialty in RI is my worst experience with this type of vendor, he quoted my gauges within a week , and I was told 4 months and the price. I waited 6 months and finally had to call,1 month later they were at my door . I opened the package was very disappointed, new gauge was 1/4 inch higher than the other 3 in cluster , no graphics update to volts scale , no gauge read 0 for calibration. If I can save you a disappointment, maybe my experience was not in vain. Good luck, Tom H.
     
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  14. Jan 22, 2023
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    The one time I had a speedo restored I found the rebuilder in Hemmings Motor News.
     
  15. Jan 22, 2023
    44bz

    44bz Member

    Oregon City OR
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    Abbott Instrument Restoration in Portland, OR is an option. It's a father and son operation run by Bruce Abbott, 503-246-1287. I toured his shop a few months ago. He's a great guy and very knowledgeable. His work is concourse restoration level and he does gauges for clients all over the world. He has a huge inventory of NOS parts and pieces, recreates graphics, and modifies gauges to your desire. That being said, his work isn't cheap and there is a waitlist.
     
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  16. Jan 22, 2023
    tom h

    tom h New Member 2022 Sponsor

    Buffalo NY
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    Another place is Southern Electronics in Virginia, very nice guy on phone with reasonable prices.
     
  17. Jan 22, 2023
    RMC1960

    RMC1960 New Member

    Fort Worth TX
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    Thank you for the responses.
     
  18. Jan 22, 2023
    alpina72

    alpina72 Member

    Georgia
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    Mar 1, 2015
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    Has anyone ever attempted swapping out the original faceplate onto one of the reproduction units?

    Can it even be done?
    I'm rather fond of my 0 thru 9 speedo but also fond of my money and just can't justify the cost of a rebuild or NOS unit on a Jeep that's gauranteed to never get a speeding ticket.
     
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  19. Jan 22, 2023
    RedWing

    RedWing Member

    Sutton Bay
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    Oct 30, 2005
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    I had real good results with Bob’s speedometer in Michigan. They rebuilt a speedometer for a 49 Jeepster.
     
  20. Jan 22, 2023
    mickeykelley

    mickeykelley Well-Known Member

    Republic of Texas
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    I too got one back in 2015-16 from bluemoonscooter and I think I paid $200. A couple months later I decided to get a backup just in case and the price was up to $225 I think. I think the last I saw, he had them for $300 but I sure was running out. I talked with him at one point and he told me he got them from an old us military stock warehouse in Vietnam.
     
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