Cruise control

[Mikesimp70]

Clocking 1000miles this weekend it occurs to me that cruise would be nice to have.

Anyone done it? I did a search but no specific threads popped up.

 

[stoker]

Back in the early 1980’s I bought an add-on cruise control unit from Sears. It worked well. They were commonly available back in the day. I haven’t seen one for sale for a long time though.

 

[Bajabrewer]

I did it back in 1990 when I was daily driving mostly highway with the Bronco. It was a Dana aftermarket unit sold at Sears, K-Mart & other stores, it worked great - not too hard to install. Unfortunately I took it off & used it on my next car then sold that car with the cruise - wish I'd have kept it. I don't know if you can get new versions or maybe find one on Ebay.

 

[Broncobowsher]

I have recycled a factory Ford cruise from the 80s.
Simple wiring. Need a factory VSS. Couple resistors and switches.

 

[Steve83]

I recently installed a common aftermarket cruise system on an '88 Land Cruiser using the factory VSS inside its speedometer. That system came from Amazon. But I built Frank's '75 Bronco with an '88 F150 XLT, using that truck's factory vacuum cruise & cable-mounted VSS, which fit into the eB transfer case, and that cable worked (although it didn't actually connect) with the eB speedo.

 

[Remos69]

Back in the 90s when I drove back my bronco from Colorado to Virginia I used the throttle control cable for the pto winch. It was not perfect, but it worked for that 1800 Mile trip with no a/c, no radio and no company!

 

[pipeline010]

throttle control cable!

Ditto on this, but be careful if you have an automatic.

I still have the original transmission (3otT) and, as standard since I started driving a stick at age 17, if I hit the brake I also hit the clutch. Which is only part of the story.

If you do this you really need to keep your head on straight.

 

[Powerbyford]

I put cruise on mine in February and love it. I drive 60 miles round trip to work and it makes it much better. Rostra universal kit plus switch plus speed sensor on the rear drive shaft. Parts RPC-250-1223, RPC-250-4165 and RPC-250-3032 from Summit Racing. $265 total. I have a manual and a holley carb. Tap the brake and it shuts down. Clutch it first and it shuts down as soon as the engine starts to rev without the speed increasing. The switch I chose required cutting the turn signal to mount and you may not like that. They have others. I reinforced the speed sensor bracket because it is way down to reach the drive shaft, and I also reinforced the throttle cable bracket because it didn’t seem very rigid. So far absolutely no problems.

 

[904Bronco]

Oddly enough I use to install the Dana units for Sears back in the early 80's. They sold a lot of them... In comparison, things were very primitive back then with hook ups, bead chains, cables, magnets on the driveshaft, but they worked.

I also installed the Rostra #RPC-250-1223 universal unit, but on a 98 Explorer EFI motor and 4R70W. I used the signal off the mustang VSS on the speedo cable, which made the install a breeze. Couldn't find the part#, but used the Rostra universal control switch which goes on the turn signal arm. Very pleased with its performance, and I believe Dirtdonk is also happy since he bought my Bronco. Those long trips to Wildhorse's and back from Sam Jose!

 

[Hozr]

I've had my Rostra cruise for about 7 years (universal kit with wireless rf switch on the wheel). It's just now giving me an issue with the RF switch. Other than that it's pretty easy to install and works awesome. You can use a ford signal generator on the Dana20 for your vss.

 

[Mikesimp70]

Taking a look on Summit, wouldnt the 250-3020 switch screw directly to my Flaming River turn signal mechanism?