Jumpy Speedometer

hey guys, my buddy has a 96 and he says when he starts his truck the speedo jumps up to the 40mph mark and bounces up and down making a chirping noise and rattling....is there a gear he can get or is it possible/worth it to update the gauge cluster? what do you guys think

 

The '96s actually have a speedo cable, unlike later models. Your friend could try lubing his cable, they make a graphite lube for this purpose. Or just replace the speedo cable altogether. There is a gear that drives the cable but its unlikely that is the problem or the cluster itself.

 

he said he'll give it a try and let me know, thanks for the advice

 

2 days ago I was driving to go snowboarding and as soon as I got on the highway and gassed it my dash started screaming like a banshee for about 30 long seconds and the speedo needle was jumpy. This was about 80-90 kph and about -15C so the cold might have had something to do with it...

It went away and didn't come back. I'm guessing a speedo cable lube issue.