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

[traintech55]

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.

The switch change was done in 1974.

 

[Welder guy]

Unidentified Cruise Control Lever Here is some really good info on the different signal light stocks. And what year they were used.

 

[marko]

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.

Enjoy!
CBODY67

ive always been led to believe that that the drivetrain in an imperial sits the same distance from the firewall as in a plymouth, dodge and chrysler and that its the hub/spindles etc are mounted further forward depending if its an imp, chrysler etc...... so therefore the speedo cables would be the same ? ive not verified this myself but a friend says he has used a driveshaft from a chrysler in a plymouth before..........

 

[MrMoparCHP]

The parts book as all the answers.

The only part difference is the mounting bracket (probably to keep the relative distance for everything else.


Alan

 

[CBODY67]

I had always suspected that like other C-body cars, where the rear seat leg room increased as the wheelbase did, yet the front legroom was "the same", that the Imperials were similar. This also then led to my suspicion that the powertrain section of the car, related to trans cooler lines, would be the same (as the wheelbase difference was in the rear floorpan area). I was corrected in that on the Online Imperial Club forum about 20 years ago. It was pointed out to me that all of the wheelbase difference was in front of the cowl, which meant the normal C-body trans cooler lines would need to be longer. I got busy doing research on the rear leg room dimension, which revealed, contrary to my suspicion, to be the same as for a New Yorker. This was later confirmed in the great Fuselage C-body article in "Collectible Automobile", that all "cabin dimensions" were common to both Chryslers and Imperials.

I knew that Imperial front ends were different than normal C-body cars. I always suspected that was due to an isolated K-frame section for better NVH isolation than on normal Chryslers. I may need to find the body dimension checking dimensions (as in body shop collision "squaring" checks) to possibly get a view of the total Imperial construction. I believe I can find them in a FSM.

In the OIC discussion, seems like somebody produced pictures of the engine compartments of a Fuselage Imperial and a similar Chrysler, with more distance between the engine and the cowl, to prove their point? As I have found out over the years, things are just different on Imperials, underhood, for whatever reason, than on similar New Yorkers.

CBODY67

 

[rambunctious]

A few pictures from the shop manual
View attachment 722547View attachment 722548View attachment 722549View attachment 722550View attachment 722551View attachment 722553View attachment 722554

FWIW, in the picture above is a brake switch mounting bracket. Do NOT forget to snag that from the donor car. IIRC, it's attached to the steering column with four fairly unusual screws. If you use the 1970 and up unit, you don't need the bracket.

While it's neat to have the year specific unit to your car, the 1970 and up unit is my preference for parts and service. Nobody but us Mopar geeks will ever notice the difference.

 

[Northern Australia]

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.
View attachment 722537View attachment 722538View attachment 722539View attachment 722540View attachment 722541View attachment 722542View attachment 722543View attachment 722544View attachment 722545View attachment 722546

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.

Thanks Big John - I'm leaning towards the electric system. Being a daily driver in fair condition, non-original suits me just fine... I've added it to the shopping list for when I visit late this year (if Australians are still allowed to visit America, of course).... I have worked out that the money I have paid in freight for parts already would have bought me a return flight - I might as well enjoy a holiday and pick up parts while I am there.

 

[Northern Australia]

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 .

Thank you welder guy - I really appreciate your help. I may reach out as I continue my research. It's great to have helpful people like yourself in this community.

 

[Northern Australia]

FWIW, in the picture above is a brake switch mounting bracket. Do NOT forget to snag that from the donor car. IIRC, it's attached to the steering column with four fairly unusual screws. If you use the 1970 and up unit, you don't need the bracket.

While it's neat to have the year specific unit to your car, the 1970 and up unit is my preference for parts and service. Nobody but us Mopar geeks will ever notice the difference.

thanks Rambunctious - it sounds like the 70 unit is the way to go. Functionality is my preference. I think I have the only C body in my city, so I doubt anyone would notice. The car itself stands out like it arrived from another planet - even young people are amazed and ask me about the car !!!!

 

[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]

Thanks Marko - this is a really good resource. Purely by accident, I got some of the good features available in 1969. Again, just amazed how many features you guys in the US had back in 1969 !!!!

 

[Northern Australia]

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.
View attachment 722537View attachment 722538View attachment 722539View attachment 722540View attachment 722541View attachment 722542View attachment 722543View attachment 722544View attachment 722545View attachment 722546

I absolutely agree its worth installing. Thank you for the photos. You must have an impressive garage / warehouse will all of those parts

 

[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!

Hi again - I would be interested in the fuselage imperial that may become available in SA. Is it the imperial in your photo? Thanks for the tip.

 

[crv]

Hi again - I would be interested in the fuselage imperial that may become available in SA. Is it the imperial in your photo? Thanks for the tip.

No, my avatar is just a random photo, click on the link and you'll see it: All American Day 2019- Adelaide.

 

[Northern Australia]

No, my avatar is just a random photo, click on the link and you'll see it: All American Day 2019- Adelaide.
View attachment 722792

Thanks. I'd be interested.... Keep me posted....

 

[Northern Australia]

Thanks. I'd be interested.... Keep me posted....

Hi again. Hope things are going well. If old mate with the imperial in SA that may come up for sale is getting closer to that stage in the vehicle life cycle, I might be in a position to add a vehicle to my collection later this year....

 

[crv]

Hi again. Hope things are going well. If old mate with the imperial in SA that may come up for sale is getting closer to that stage in the vehicle life cycle, I might be in a position to add a vehicle to my collection later this year....

Haven't heard yet.

 

[ceebuddy]

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 .

That is all very good reading! Thank you for all the pictures and information.

In the 1970 and up system, the silver rotating ring/barrel on the stalk not only has the "resume" position (as in 1968/1969, albeit not marked on the switch as such) but also has an "on" and "off" position. Before setting the speed by pushing the button at the end of the stalk, you first must move the switch to the "on" position. Moving the switch in the "off" positioin shuts off the system without need to touch the brake pedal.

If you want to activate a 1968/1969 system, you just push the button at the end of the stalk which will activate the system and set the speed. If you want to deactivate a 1968/1969 system, you have to move the brake pedal so it opens the vaccuum bleed switch (or turn off the ignition).