GTBradley's build - Still Kick'n!

[GTBradley]

I was asked recently about the cruise control I installed and responded with: well it goes like this, blah, blah and "I wrote it up on my build thread". For which the response was "ah, no you didn't" or something like that. Anyway, I remember now that I decided to omit it because others had already done it. But it may be handy to have it here for someone, so here goes...

After seeing firsthand how TMartinLVNV's cruise control works, I purchased a cruise control kit from The Cruise Control Store. Since I have the drive-by-wire accelerator pedal for the Coyote I opted for their pedal interface cable. You don't need it, but working under the dash in this car really sucks and this part of the wiring is quick with the harness. For the interface I used the Universal control switch without indicator light because I wanted to mount it under the dash where it would be out of sight.

250-1882 Universal Cruise for Drive by Wire ETC Hotrod classic Cars
250-3593 Universal Cruise Control Switch Dash Mount Without Engage light
250-2761 Ford / Chrysler / Mopar Rostra Pedal Interface Harness
Installation instructions PDF

The system is simple enough, but getting my head wrapped around the wiring took some thinking and a call to the Cruise Control Store to verify my thoughts. The problem is, their wiring schematic includes more than one model and it makes you think that you need to do more than you do.

The work is all done under dash and at the driveshaft. I mounted the control module to the left footwell wall; the control switch to a dash support bracket; and the transducer/pickup coil to the driveshaft safety loop.
There are also two magnets which are affixed to the driveshaft itself with marine epoxy and a zip tie to keep them in place until it dries. The epoxy is messy stuff and as you can see is white and tends to get on everything. The two magnets are on opposite sides of the shaft and are positioned left and right in the picture. The spacing between the transducer/pickup coil and magnets is not critical, but I set it as close as I thought I could. One caution is, don't use the speed nut provided to mount the transducer. Use a nylon locknut as the speed nut backed out on me from vibration.



The interface harness is straight forward, just unplug Coyote harness from the pedal and connect the supplied harness in-between the pedal and Coyote harness with the third plug going to the CC module.



Some connections need to be made to the brake, clutch, ignition switches and they are time consuming but not difficult.



There is a divider module that gets incorporated into the wiring and it complicates things a bit but is actually not bad either. I made notes on the wiring diagram to help me visualize its wiring. Use with caution:



I'm very pleased with the Cruise Control unit and the support I got from the people at the The Cruise Control Store.

I love being able to pull my leg back from the gas pedal on long trips, it has made a big difference to my back comfort. The module is out of sight and I did have to get used to the functions by feel, but it's easy to access. One drawback on the location of the control switch I realized is, it is in-line with the water drip area from the windscreen post. I'll need to address that at some point.

It is very precise and quick to respond. It guns the engine a little bit to let you know it is in control, but it sticks to the speed you set it at. I can accelerate, decelerate, resume, turn off and on, but there is no cancel function, which would have been nice. A quick and slight tap of the brake pedal, just enough to actuate the brake lights, is enough to cancel/disengage the cruise, but keeps it ready to resume its previous speed.