I know this use to be common 6+ years ago when i had my 82 280ZX. But can you still get the 140MPH kit?(I drive on the Highway alot, Pathfinder normally sees 80-90MPH commutes) And also I see some of you guys have a white face kit, looks good where can I get that? I'm starting on my 81 280ZX Auto(AKA new daily driver) in November. I got the car two months ago for $400.00, replaced the ignition module and fuel pressure regulator. Run O.K. but still needs some TLC. Everything works PS,PB,AC,CC,PW,PM, you name it. so I think it will be a good car. It sat for about 2 years but it drives and shifts great. Good to have that exciting feeling again. The sad part is my 84 300ZXT has to sit untill I can replace the Borg Warner T-5. But hey thats what Income taxes are for. Right?

 

Isn't the "kit" you speak of just a 1979 280zx speedometer? They read to 125 I think and the last mark is about 130mph.
They just bolt right in but don't have any connections to activate your "parking brake is on" warning or cruise control. Both of which have a sensor that reads the speedometer.
Also they only have 5 digit odometers so they will "roll over" every 100,000 miles.

I have heard of people succesuflly having a shop recalibrate their speedometer with the guts from a '79 and get all the features of the '81-83 but with the higher speed readout. $$$$$$$

 

So basicly if I want to keep my Cruise Control I'd better stick with the 85MPH Speedo, Well That Just Sucks! How about the white face guage kit?
Thanks for the reply Bleech!

 

The white face gauge kit comes in both 85 and 130 styles. I bought the kit for the 85 but have not put it on yet. I now also have a '79 gauge cluster. I'm in the same boat...

Change to 130mph cluster, and never drive that fast because I'm not supposed to? Or keep my cruise, proper odometer reading and still use the white face kit I have?

...or try to swap the face and movement from the 130 into the odometer and sensors of the 85 without destroying both gauges! haha! I don't really use cruise very much so that's not too big of a deal for me. I guess maybe I'll do the swap some day.

130mph speedometer certainly is more fitting for a car of this type. Its kinda embarasing having an 85mph speedometer when a Kia has a 120mph speedometer! ...even my Datsun truck goes to 100mph.

 

HAHAHA yea I agree, I'm hopeing to use this car for my 30min commute to work eveyday and when I go see my customers, so the cruise would be nice to have.I am putting way too many miles on my pathfinder with my job. Just sucks if I get in a good draft with other cars after 85 i'm in the dark. Oh well its not the end of the world I guess, heck mabey it will slow me down alittle. NOT!

 

I changed mine over to a 130 speedo almost a year and a half ago and I have not had any problems to date. I even had a friend who is a cop radar me at 115 and it was accurate within a couple of miles an hour

 

Hmmm ... no cruise for a 130 speedo? I really like my cruise, but if I have to replace any more speedo needles (I'm on my fourth one in 6 months!) I'll go nuts ... Cuz nothing breaks needles like ventures over 80 ...

I will be purchasing some Defi gauges in the future, and noticed that they have a digital readout screen that shows just about anything - speed, temps, pressures, rpm - and I was wondering ...
If I were to get one of these, how would I connect a speed sensor? The digital gauge requires an electronic speed sensor from a newer car (I would probably use an Infiniti sensor, or a newer 300ZX unit ...). I'd then put the digital gauge in front of the speedo, and remove the needle from the stock gauge, so I don't break any more, but I'd still be able to use the trip odometer and see my odometer reading. It'll also stay legal - the odometer must be visible and untampered with on our cars out here in Utah ... probably the same in every other state .

Oops - forgot to post this ...
www.defi-shop.com - take a look at this stuff - excellent gauges!

 

I forget about the other mod you can do on the 85mph speedos. Just remove the trip reset button. The needle will continue around in a full circle or more and still be accurate. You'll just have to mark the guage yourself for the speed.

 

Maybe I should have thought of that when I replaced my speedo needle the FIRST time ...