Re-setting Odometer - 1998 Tacoma

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I've got a gauge cluster out of a 1998 Tacoma that I am using in a 1st gen truck I am building. The truck is going to be all new, so I want to reset the odometer. It is electronic.

Does anyone out there have any insight.

I know it's not legal, or at least frowned upon, but it's all in the intent. I am not selling used cars...

 

[screwball48]

It is my understanding that resetting the odometer is a common practice in the hot rod world. Once the vehicle is rebuilt to the level you are going with this truck an odo with 0 is used to display milage since built. Simply provide documentation of the milage on the components used such as engine and transmission. As to resetting the panel I have seen individuals locate the sending unit and chuck up a dewalt drill and run the miles all the way back to 0 (I frowned uppon that experience because it was used as a means to missrepresent useage of a truck).

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

It is my understanding that resetting the odometer is a common practice in the hot rod world. Once the vehicle is rebuilt to the level you are going with this truck an odo with 0 is used to display milage since built. Simply provide documentation of the milage on the components used such as engine and transmission. As to resetting the panel I have seen individuals locate the sending unit and chuck up a dewalt drill and run the miles all the way back to 0 (I frowned uppon that experience because it was used as a means to missrepresent useage of a truck).

That's exactly where I'm coming from. It's all new so why not?

I am not going to try to run the numbers back with a drill. I wonder how many times I would have to warranty the drill before I got back to zero. And besides, I don't think you can go backwards. Even older mechanical odometers had a ratchet mechanism that wouldn't allow it to reverse direction.

 

[AxleIke]

Technically, I believe Toyota can do this for you on the electronic odometers, since you are building a new truck. They set up new gauge clusters in cars where they have to replace the unit, and they have a way to set the odometer to the mileage that the old one had.

I enquired when I wanted to do a cluster swap (not set it to zero, but match the milage of the truck the cluster was going into).

However, there were hoops to jump through, and it wasn't something they were willing to just do at the service department, without authorization from elsewhere. I decided not to do it. However, you may have better luck at your local dealership, especially since you are trying to build a new truck, rather than match mileage. Any chance your local government can give you something to prove you are building the new truck? New VIN, or some such? That might help at Toyota.

 

[Martinjmpr]

I don't think it's illegal to reset the odo, what is illegal is resetting it and then misrepresenting the mileage when the vehicle is sold.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Agreed on both counts.

You guys ever seen Swingers? I'm looking for the guy behind the guy behind the guy. That's the guy who will help me reset this thing. I don't expect to walk into a dealership and have them do this for me.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

I'm a million miles before you, I'm a million miles behind
I'll take you straight and narrow, I'll ramble and I'll wind
So curse my broken brimstone, or kiss my bricks of gold
I'm not the reason - I'm just the road
- Aaron Watson, "The Road"

I just watched that movie in the shop today. Not a great movie, but certainly a great story.

 

[AxleIke]

Agreed on both counts.

You guys ever seen Swingers? I'm looking for the guy behind the guy behind the guy. That's the guy who will help me reset this thing. I don't expect to walk into a dealership and have them do this for me.

Ah sorry man, wish I had the hook up. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

 

[Stoffregen Motorsports]

Ah sorry man, wish I had the hook up. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

Well thanks to you I at least know it is possible. Thanks.