Can you put a 1969 Imperial cruise control into a 1969 Newport? Or would that job not be worth the effort?

[Northern Australia]

Just wondering if it is possible to put cruise control into a 1969 Newport? I am not sure if it was ever an option, or whether it a realistic option. Grateful for your learned advice. I am across the water, but I want to visit the US later in the year and return with a bunch of parts to upgrade my 69 Newport....

 

[MONC440]

It is the same system, You need to change the speedo cables (standard has one cable, auto pilot has 2), add the vacuum controller, turn signal stem and run the wires for the switch down the inside of the column, change the brake switch and all the wiring. It is a job but not to bad. I have done it a few times. The system is pretty much the same for all Mopars of that year. I put a c-body once in a b-body one and worked just fine.

 

[Northern Australia]

It is the same system, You need to change the speedo cables (standard has one cable, auto pilot has 2), add the vacuum controller, turn signal stem and run the wires for the switch down the inside of the column, change the brake switch and all the wiring. It is a job but not to bad. I have done it a few times. The system is pretty much the same for all Mopars of that year. I put a c-body once in a b-body one and worked just fine.

Great news - thanks for your reply. I will give it a try. I'm sure the parts are out there somewhere. Thank you for your help

 

[traintech55]

An additional note, The switch is different between Tilt, and Non tilt steering columns.

 

[david hill]

Be sure the turn signal /cruise control lever is correct for your car. 69 was the last year before ignition key locking steering columns starting in 70. FYI

 

[marko]

if you want to see what other options you could get on your newport i suggest you get a 69 sales brochure and also look on the excellent

The 1970 Hamtramck Registry - 1969 Chrysler Dealership Data Book - Features

 

[CBODY67]

One unsuspected thing about an Imperial is that the 3" of additional wheelbase is in the front stub frame, not in the floor pan (as I long-time suspected). That can mean the speedo cables will be longer, as can be the servo cable to the throttle linkage, I suspect. No problem with the additional length in the wiring harnesses, though.

OTHERWISE . . . the architecture (position of the engine to the cowl and such) between all of the other C-body cars, related to the engine position in the body and such is pretty much identical between the Slabs, Fuselage, and Formal body platforms. Main differences can be in the "kill" switch on the brake pedal and the turn signal stalk, the way it looks to me. For example, my '70 Monaco has the turn drum, whereas my '80 Newport has the slide level . . . both OEM factory-installed cruise controls.

See the recent thread on adding a factory cruise control to a '68 Polara.

Enjoy!
CBODY67

 

[crv]

Why not just get an Imperial with all the options?

 

[Northern Australia]

An additional note, The switch is different between Tilt, and Non tilt steering columns.

Thanks for the tip.... Have a great day

 

[Northern Australia]

Why not just get an Imperial with all the options?

I have become increasingly impressed with the features in the Imperials - autopilot, cornering lights, automatic headlight dimmer, fasten belts light, time delay switch for headlights, safeguard sentinal lighting... these features were decades ahead of their time.... Money aside, I am not sure there is even an Imperial in Australia. I will keep a sentinal look out for one !!!

 

[crv]

I have become increasingly impressed with the features in the Imperials - autopilot, cornering lights, automatic headlight dimmer, fasten belts light, time delay switch for headlights, safeguard sentinal lighting... these features were decades ahead of their time.... Money aside, I am not sure there is even an Imperial in Australia. I will keep a sentinal look out for one !!!

A few have come up for sale lately, two '68s, a '65 Crown Coupe, a super clean '64 Crown 4-door... there's a '57 and '59 on the market atm on fb marketplace too, as well as a cheap '63 project over in WA, they are out there!

 

[Northern Australia]

if you want to see what other options you could get on your newport i suggest you get a 69 sales brochure and also look on the excellent

http://[URL]https://www.hamtramck-historical.com/dealerships/1969ChryslerDealershipDataBook-09.shtml

[/URL]

Thank you sir.... It's a great source of information... By luck (rather than good management), it turns out my Newport has a few good options - AC, Power windows, 3 speed wipers, power seats... The AC isn't working, but after many paydays that can be fixed

 

[Northern Australia]

A few have come up for sale lately, two '68s, a '65 Crown Coupe, a super clean '64 Crown 4-door... there's a '57 and '59 on the market atm on fb marketplace too, as well as a cheap '63 project over in WA, they are out there!

Thank you mate - I will keep a look out. For some reason (it doesn't make sense, I know) I am obsessed with the fuselage years

 

[crv]

Thank you mate - I will keep a look out. For some reason (it doesn't make sense, I know) I am obsessed with the fuselage years

I know of a '73 4-door LeBaron which will be coming up for sale in SA, silver/black top, black interior.

 

[Welder guy]

Here is a 1969 cruise control setup from a 1969 Imperial with tilt /Telescopic steering column. The 68/69 only cruise controls had 2 vacuum hoses coming off of the servo , one going to the vacuum/ electric solenoid brake switch . When the brake pedal is pressed the small arm onto the switch activates the solenoid open and disengages the Cruise Control . When the Cruise Control is activated on the solenoid, closes the vacuum switch and energize the system . The vacuum switch operates the Cruise Control only, it does not have anything to do with the brake lights , that is a separate system altogether . The other vacuum line goes to the brake booster for vacuum to the system. The signal light stock for the tilt steering is a screw in stock. Not tilt steering columns the signal light stock is held in with a screw. Is it worth installing? Absolutely. It’s a bit of a pain in the butt to get underneath the dash to install the brake switch as well as running the wiring through the steering column but I wouldn’t be without it on my car. 1970 and newer Cruise Control will work just fine in your car, but it will not be original . Their brake switch is not a vacuum set up , it is an electrical switch . It will install and work just the same.

 

[Welder guy]

A few pictures from the shop manual

 

[Welder guy]

Here are a couple pictures of the brake switch under the steering column in my 69 Sport fury . It is best to take your front seat out to get access under the dash and a few of the Cruise Control carb linkage.

 

[Welder guy]

non tilt Cruise Control signal light stock. A screw hold it in place.

 

[Welder guy]

The 1968/69 Cruise control was a two year only system . That being said a cruise control system out of let’s say a 1977. New Yorker would work just fine in your car as long as you have the complete system. They used the same servo right into the mid 1980s. Be sure to get the proper signal light stock if you are looking into a later model Cruise Control. The brake switches can be adapted to the car . Good luck with your project. You can PM me anytime if you have questions. I probably have two or three (different year) Cruise Control setups ups on the garage shelf for reference .

 

[Big_John]

The 1968/69 Cruise control was a two year only system . That being said a cruise control system out of let’s say a 1977. New Yorker would work just fine in your car as long as you have the complete system. They used the same servo right into the mid 1980s. Be sure to get the proper signal light stock if you are looking into a later model Cruise Control. The brake switches can be adapted to the car . Good luck with your project. You can PM me anytime if you have questions. I probably have two or three (different year) Cruise Control setups ups on the garage shelf for reference .

I've put the system in a couple of post '70 cars and the difference I see is the brake switch. Electric in '70 up rather than vacuum. They changed the column switch to a different style around 1973, but I believe they will interchange.

So, I think a later one with the electric brake switch that's combined with the brake light switch would be probably be easier to install, but the switch is harder to find.

And I really like that "recall" steering wheel.