Recalibrating your speedometer - - Jeep at Off-Road.com
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Recalibrating your speedometer

Source: Jeep at Off-Road.com


After lifting our Cherokee and installing new tires the next job was to recalibrate the speedometer.? Since the tires were a different diameter (10% larger) this would throw off our speedo, odometer, etc. Fear not!? We are $10 and 10 minutes away from solving the calibration problem.

Your local Jeep dealership will be able to order the necessary part for you called a speedometer drive gear. This small plastic gear should cost around $10-20.? The install should cost you nothing since it requires one hand tool and about 10 minutes of your time.

Here is a list of common gear/tire combinations that should help you find what gear is right for you:

 

 

33"
32"
31"
30"
29"
28"
3:07
SG26
SG27
SG27
SG28
SG28
SG29
3:55
SG31
SG31
SG32
SG33
SG33
SG34
3:73
SG32
SG32
SG33
SG34
SG34
SG35
4:10
SG34
SG35
SG36
SG37
SG38
SG39
4:56
SG36
SG37
SG37
SG38
 
 
Editors Note: The Numbers in inches across the top represent your tire Diameter in Inches. The numbers down the left hand side represent your axle ratios gearing. The numbers in the table actually represent the tooth count of the gear that you are going to replace yours with.

Check your vehicles VIN number at your dealer to find out what axle ratio you have.? Most 2.5L engines with manual transmissions had 4.10 ratios.? If your XJ had a manual transmission with the 4.0L inline six engine then you should have 3:07 gears in the axles.? And finally, what most of us have is the 4.0L with an automatic transmission and 3.55 gears.

All Cherokee's came with 28" or 29" tires depending on the package.

First step is to go to the drivers side of your Cherokee and crawl under the rear door.? You will easily locate the rear driveshaft that connects the transfer case to the rear axle.? Now the gear that we will be changing is in the transfer case.? You will see a wire loom that plugs into the rear upper part of the transfer case - this wire loom feeds the vehicles computer the rotational speed of the output shaft and that, along with other information, is used to compute your speed.

There is only 1 bolt that we need to remove along with the retaining tab that holds the connection in place.

Now pay attention to how the plug is oriented prior to removing it - you may wish to mark it right now for proper positioning when re-installing.? This is not critical for the gears or other internal parts - it will make it easier to re-install the mounting tab and screw.? Now wiggle nice and easy while pulling and the whole assembly should pop right out.

The stock (orange in this case) speedo gear can be removed with a firm tug.

The new gear will be installed with the metal end first.? Make sure the part is seated all the way prior to re-installation.? A solid push should be all that is necessary to install your new gear.

The rest of the installation is just the reverse order of the steps that we have already taken.? Now you are done and your speedo is right on the mark.

You may wish to verify that you have made the correct adjustment.? This is easily accomplished at the highway.? Find a mile marker (they are spaced one mile apart) while traveling at 60 MPH and time the distance between mile markers.? At 60 MPH you are travelling one mile per minute so you should be right at 60 seconds between mile markers.



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Comments and questions from our Readers
 Posted Aug 14 2007 03:13PM
Got the new gear from the dealership, installed it and have yet to get the Spedo, Tach, and Odometer to get a reading yet. this article makes it look so simple (and it probably is), but what did I miss? Any help would be appreciated.
 Posted Jul 16 2009 09:01AM
Because your an idiot. if your tach is also not working than you have other issues inside your dash like a grounding problem.
 Posted Jul 29 2009 12:44AM
Hi there...this was really helpful...but i have a different problem...my speedometer/odometer is broken(and by broken i mean dont move an inch)...i was told something about getting a new sensor maybe...can anyone tell me where this is on a 89 jeep cherokee and how to fix it...please
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