i am swapping in an 86 EFI 5.0 into my rig with a T-18 dana 20 setup. also converting from Speed Density to Mass Air. the VSS from the bronco does not go into the dana twenty so first question is do i even need it?

if yes to the first question how can i get something that will work. i do not plan on having cruise control.:confused:

I don't think you should have a problem the speed sensor was probably just used for the cruise or the speedo

I have the SEFI on my Bronco and was told by many that you didn't need it. I don't have it on mine and it is fine. I think it does two things. First is for cruise control and the second is while moving it brings your idle up so when you come to a stop your motor doesn't die. If your're running a manual, you're fine.

-Jack

well i will soon find out, i will be doing the meld of the two wiring harnesses together the next two days and i hope to turn the key on saturday.

Well, worst case, you have to put it in. It goes where the speedo cable is on the back of the 20 (I believe where the rear drive shaft goes in).

-Jack

is there some conversion or adapter that can be used to install it. it wont fit in the same place as the old speedo cable went. different hookup totally. has someone figured out a way to install it. that was the original reason for the post was to find out what others have done to install it.:confused:

i dont think i will need it per say to fire up the engine but i will eventually have to get it past a smog referee in washington so i need to have all the stuff there.

The VSS shouldn't be required for smog. I know you can get the part from Napa. I'll email a friend of mine who is using it to see if he has the part number laying around somewhere.

-Jack

i have two VSS's from the donor vehicle, it just wont go into the dana 20. at least i dont see a way. or were you talking a PN for and adapter?

my understanding when you go to a referee the first thing they do is verify the vin number of the donor vehicle, then they verify that all required equipment is in fact there. this includes all sensors, relays, and equipment. i have never gone this route through a referee. just going by what i have been told.

be prepared for the worst and take the guy some crispy creems or something to make his day pleasant, without appearing to bribe him;)

I think it does two things. First is for cruise control and the second is while moving it brings your idle up so when you come to a stop your motor doesn't die. If your're running a manual, you're fine.

I'm running a manual, but your point #2 was enough to make me go through the trouble of installing the VSS. The engine revs would always drop to almost zero when I came to a stop using compression braking. I'm running a '90 5.0 and a '73 EB D20. The Mustang VSS fits right into the t-case, and the 'stang speedo cable just barely reaches my speedo. Once it was in, the idle control problem vanished...

Here's a pic of the 'stang VSS in the EB D20:

http://www.bc4x4.com/chrisw/projects/frameswap/vss.jpg

Since then I've gotten the proper retainer thingy to hold the VSS in place. I was astonished that this all just bolted up, but hey...

Sounds like your later-model Bronco VSS isn't the same shape as the Mustang unit, so maybe get your hands on one of these and see how it goes?

Chris

looks like what i need to do is find an EB transfer tailshaft housing and replace m ine. i dont know what the 20 i have came from originally it was attached to the t-18 when i got it. possible a j series jeep truck? i had to change the tranny input shaft as it was about two feet long to a shorter one so i think it came from a truck. anyway it looks like the tailshaft housing id different where the speedo cable goes in. cool i have access to a broken EB 20. i can probably get it for free or maybe a part to be named later:D :D :D :beer: thanks a bunch that is exactly what i needed to see.

Oops! Now why'd I think that you were using an EB case?

Anyhoo, the Jeep D20 is obviously pretty different externally, but maybe the EB tailhousing will bolt on. Failing that, maybe there's a Jeep VSS that you could use. The # of pulses per rev might not be right, though.

Another option would be to have a custom speedo cable made up with an inline VSS somewhere near the firewall, where it could easily be connected to your wiring harness. There's a place here in Vancouver that makes custom stuff like this, so maybe someone local to you does as well.

Good luck,
Chris

whats the name of the place? do they have a website? i am running down a lead on a broken EB case to get the housing off to see if i can swap it for mine. wont know till tomorrow but failing that having something made up will have to suffice. i already have to have the end of the cable changed so this might be an option. either the bronco cable where it goes into the gauge cluster or the jeep cable where it goes into the VSS. vancouver is only an hour away.....or they might be able to direct me to someone who does similar things here. i cant even think of what to look up:confused:

__________________
Check out my Jeep's web page:
www.bc4x4.com/chrisw


i just realized i read your writeup on doing this swap and i found it the most usefull of all the writeups i read. thanks for taking the time to write it. i am also curious as to how your shifters worked out as i am soon gonna add another D 20 case. i think they call it the cold duck.....

Hip,

I just talked to a guy at United Automotive Distributors at (604)291-8494. They do custom speedo stuff and can splice a VSS inline for you, but only if you provide all the parts :(. Sorry, I thought they could provide a complete solution.

Talk to local shops that make speedometer cables, and go from there.

Hopefully the EB D20 tailshaft will bolt up. Be aware that the EB output shaft is a coarse 10-spline unit, and the biggest Spicer yoke that fits it is for a 1310 joint. I think the Jeep/IH D20s use more splines & different yokes, so you may be sacrificing strength for this VSS...

Sorry buddy, wish I had better news. Keep at it.

Chris
PS: there's some pics of my gearbox setup and shifters in the frame swap writeup on my site.

Look for a 1986-1989 Ford Crown Vic/Grand Marquis, they have a VSS on the back of the speedometer. It has an input like a regular Ford speedo and attaches to almost any Ford speedo. Basically something that you could easily splice in by changing some speedo ends. Should have the same plug and specs as the truck VSS too.

What vehicle is this on??

my rig is an 82 CJ-7 with very little jeep left in it. mostly ford stuff as i hang with the 2BIGBRONCOS club. it has a EB ford nine that is heavily trussed, SOA, T-18/D-20, (soon to be two 20s), 44 up front and all locked up. 36"TSLs, 8274, custom fabbed bumpers both ends. this engine swap was the last major piece. didnt get to turn the key today my friends kidnapped me and took me wheeling in the snow. hopefully tomorrow.:p

I have a spare 20 I could let you measure it up to see if it will even work or not on your 20. let me know I could run it up. Just a side note the T5 was scrap top to bottom but now it is in my garden instead of yours :)
Steve

thanks steve i have a housing on its way. one i had given to someone who broke the output shaft and i had one. it just happened to be still in the housing so i gave the entire unit to him. he will give me the one from his bronco which we verified to have the ford style speedo cable mount which my VSS will fit right in. as to wheter or not the housing will fit my D-20 we have not verified. new years day i will go get it and see what the difference is. missed my goal of turning the key today as my wiring guru could not make it over.