86 speedometer cable question

[ratrapp]

i found a good deal on a 4wd transmission and transfer case and driveshafts for my 86 2.8 truck.does anybody know if the speedometer cable is the same for a 2wd and 4wd?rockauto doesnt specify,just says without cruise control which it doesnt have.

[eaglescout526]

Typically the 4wd cable is a little longer than 2wd. Otherwise there’s not much of a difference. 

[ratrapp]

thats what i was mostly looking for was if anybody new for 100 percent they were longer or not.

[derf]

18 minutes ago, ratrapp said:

thats what i was mostly looking for was if anybody new for 100 percent they were longer or not.

The speed sensor is in the tailshaft of the transmission in 2WD trucks and in the transfer case in 4wd trucks.  That moves is back a foot or two.  The cable has to be longer to reach.

 

But a 4wd cable will work with a 2wd transmission.  It just needs to have the excess tied up.

[coheed]

If I remember correctly the one on my 86 is 90" long and it has a few inches of excess. As long as the one you have is around that length it should reach.

[Greenjeans]

I also did the 2wd to 4wd conversion (XJ).  I bought a new one from rock auto, I’m pretty sure it is 94”.  That is without cruise control.  The 63” is shorter because it goes to the cruise control under the hood.  You need the long one if it’s going all the way to the speedometer.  

[ratrapp]

i think thats way I'm going to go if i do this.