carguy300
Well-Known Member
Was wondering if anyone has added cruise system to non cruise car? What year system can work, how difficult a task? This is for my 68 300. any info will be great! Thanks.
To cruise, or not to cruise
- Thread starter carguy300
- Start date
I have. It's not that challenging. The harness is stand alone, and it's otherwise a bundle of parts.
Typically the system's mounting brackets and control (dash controls etc) are model year specific, so most important is getting all the right parts from a donor vehicle.
Typically the system's mounting brackets and control (dash controls etc) are model year specific, so most important is getting all the right parts from a donor vehicle.
thrashingcows
Senior Member
I too have done it in the past and you can mix and match some of the parts if your handy and can follow wiring diagrams, but as Ross mentioned best results would be to get a complete system from a donor car.
Off the top of my head you'll need...
-possible different throttle bracket on the motor that has the support for the cruise cable.
- carb may require a special bracket as well for the cruise control cable connection.
-inner fender mounting bracket for cruise control servo, and obviously the servo itself.
-you'll need an upper and lower speedo cables
-vacuum hose and possible fitting for your brake booster
-wiring system
-may need a different stop light switch with a plug/fitting for the cruise cut out circuit.
-steering column mounted cruise turn signal lever with on/off, set
Think that is about it.
Off the top of my head you'll need...
-possible different throttle bracket on the motor that has the support for the cruise cable.
- carb may require a special bracket as well for the cruise control cable connection.
-inner fender mounting bracket for cruise control servo, and obviously the servo itself.
-you'll need an upper and lower speedo cables
-vacuum hose and possible fitting for your brake booster
-wiring system
-may need a different stop light switch with a plug/fitting for the cruise cut out circuit.
-steering column mounted cruise turn signal lever with on/off, set
Think that is about it.
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Xenon
Senior Member
This is one of the easiest unit to install...
Two speedo cables (can be from about any mopar)...
Four prong brake switch..
Turn signal lever control which can be gotten as a "clip on"..
Vacuum hose.. (plugs into power brake booster fitting...)
And the attachment lever on carb for the cable...
ARA in Texas used to offer this setup for the aftermarket..
Looks like a standard Chrysler unit..
Two speedo cables (can be from about any mopar)...
Four prong brake switch..
Turn signal lever control which can be gotten as a "clip on"..
Vacuum hose.. (plugs into power brake booster fitting...)
And the attachment lever on carb for the cable...
ARA in Texas used to offer this setup for the aftermarket..
Looks like a standard Chrysler unit..
When it was popular to add cruise controls, back in '73 or so, after the national speed limit came to be 55mph, I thought that would be neat to do to our '66 Newport. I found an independent shop in Lubbock, TX that was doing the Perfect Circle/Dana cruise kits, which were pretty much factory-correct for Chryslers anyway. No problem, they said, as a '74 kit would work.
I then went to the local Chrysler dealer out there, Fenner Tubbs, and talked to a tech out there that had done many of them. He said the major thing would be to enlarge the rectangle that the turn signal stalk went through. He took a ball point pen and marked mine, which basically put the area to be removed forward toward the instrument panel from the existing hole (which would become twice its width. To clear the electric wires which came out of the stalk. From there, just making the connections with the '74 factory cruise accessory kit.
I then looked at the new '74s at the dealer at home. The more I looked, I saw the same spatial relationships/measurements in that area of the two cars were pretty much the same. Steering wheel to cowl and cowl to carburetor. Which meant the speedometer cables could work, IF they had the same connections on each end between the '74 and '66 (which there probably were not the same, but the length probably was very similar). In other words, the architecture of that part of the car was close enough for things to work better than suspected, as mentioned. Would not have bothered me that the turn signal stalks between the earlier models and the '74s were different (although the '66 had the dash-mounted controls and a completely different factory system). But, never did get it done. The marks are still on the steering column "bowl", though.
Find a good C-body donor car, for the wiring harness, brake switch, and turn signal stalk. You might plan on getting a rebuilt cruise transducer and/or vacuum diaphragm/cable assy, IF the one you find might be aged too much. Be sure to get the throttle cable linkage AND the Lost Motion Link at the carb, from the donor car, too!
I always did like those Chrysler cruises as they had "memory", plus "resume" in them. Ford had those, but it took GM until the early '80s to get there.
Enjoy!
CBODY67
I then went to the local Chrysler dealer out there, Fenner Tubbs, and talked to a tech out there that had done many of them. He said the major thing would be to enlarge the rectangle that the turn signal stalk went through. He took a ball point pen and marked mine, which basically put the area to be removed forward toward the instrument panel from the existing hole (which would become twice its width. To clear the electric wires which came out of the stalk. From there, just making the connections with the '74 factory cruise accessory kit.
I then looked at the new '74s at the dealer at home. The more I looked, I saw the same spatial relationships/measurements in that area of the two cars were pretty much the same. Steering wheel to cowl and cowl to carburetor. Which meant the speedometer cables could work, IF they had the same connections on each end between the '74 and '66 (which there probably were not the same, but the length probably was very similar). In other words, the architecture of that part of the car was close enough for things to work better than suspected, as mentioned. Would not have bothered me that the turn signal stalks between the earlier models and the '74s were different (although the '66 had the dash-mounted controls and a completely different factory system). But, never did get it done. The marks are still on the steering column "bowl", though.
Find a good C-body donor car, for the wiring harness, brake switch, and turn signal stalk. You might plan on getting a rebuilt cruise transducer and/or vacuum diaphragm/cable assy, IF the one you find might be aged too much. Be sure to get the throttle cable linkage AND the Lost Motion Link at the carb, from the donor car, too!
I always did like those Chrysler cruises as they had "memory", plus "resume" in them. Ford had those, but it took GM until the early '80s to get there.
Enjoy!
CBODY67
I agree, the old ARA cruise kit was a clone of a factory Chrysler system, in looks and configuration. The "clip-on" control was for the generic kit, though.
Of the many aftermarket systems I saw, back then, the "on-off-resume" functions were there, but were backward in order from the Chrysler factory systems. Not sure why, unless there was some trademark infringement issues somewhere.
Nice picture!
CBODY67
Of the many aftermarket systems I saw, back then, the "on-off-resume" functions were there, but were backward in order from the Chrysler factory systems. Not sure why, unless there was some trademark infringement issues somewhere.
Nice picture!
CBODY67
USSMOPAR
Active Member
There are 3 generations of cruise control, the last 2 from 68-69 then 70 & up thru the 80's. There is some variation in servos in 71-80 but they all work the same
It was a dealer installed accessory as well as a factory option.
See Section One [1] Accessories - in the factory service manual - you know the book few have ever looked in but should instead of asking stupid questions...The installation procedure is clearly shown.
There is photographic evidence that at least one C body six pak car had factory cruise control. 99.75 of ctr carbs on the six paks never had the proper hole for the "lost motion link" However...At least 2 have been seen so far for a C body set ups.
The last generation cruise control is the best set up and can be added to the older gen cars but that takes attention to detail and i am not obligated to share that info. Any 70 and up car will readily bolt in cruise control. Look in the book! The cruise harness is the key item. Cruise part numbers etc are in the fuel section of the parts book. The cable length from the servo to the speedo varies but a longer cable can be substituted no problem. The cable from the trans to the servo was one length for a long time. Check the parts book for the c bodies as i think the cable was longer. Cruise parts can be found on the parts locators and are typically inexpensive at the swap meets. Typically is the key word
It was a dealer installed accessory as well as a factory option.
See Section One [1] Accessories - in the factory service manual - you know the book few have ever looked in but should instead of asking stupid questions...The installation procedure is clearly shown.
There is photographic evidence that at least one C body six pak car had factory cruise control. 99.75 of ctr carbs on the six paks never had the proper hole for the "lost motion link" However...At least 2 have been seen so far for a C body set ups.
The last generation cruise control is the best set up and can be added to the older gen cars but that takes attention to detail and i am not obligated to share that info. Any 70 and up car will readily bolt in cruise control. Look in the book! The cruise harness is the key item. Cruise part numbers etc are in the fuel section of the parts book. The cable length from the servo to the speedo varies but a longer cable can be substituted no problem. The cable from the trans to the servo was one length for a long time. Check the parts book for the c bodies as i think the cable was longer. Cruise parts can be found on the parts locators and are typically inexpensive at the swap meets. Typically is the key word
1958 - 1966 cars also used a hard linkage with a special gas pedal assembly with a pivot for the AutoPilot linkage. Up to 67 for Imps. Not sure if 67 started with cables to and from the servo or not with C Body cars.
Kernel Sanders
Member
I have done a couple extractions & installations of factory cruise controls and it is pretty straight forward.
Here are the parts required:
<this setup is from a 76 Charger/Cordoba>
Here are the parts required:
<this setup is from a 76 Charger/Cordoba>
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Kernel Sanders
Member
Oh I didn't have a picture of the 'lost motion linkage'
<these pics are from Google>
<these pics are from Google>
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Kernel Sanders
Member
Right on! I also went to an Eddy and had to use that 1481 adapter however I have to modify (yet) the Eddy air cleaner base I have because the adapter with the 'lost motion linkage' interferes.
carguy300
Well-Known Member
Thanks for all the info guys, i do have the factory service manual that I have been studying. My concern is my tilt/telescopic column. I would probably mount turn lever to tilt lever. There is a salvage yard near me that has a variety of mopar vehicles that might have what i can use. Thanks again!
oldkimmer
Active Member
I have taken cruise from the C bodies to put into A, B and trucks. Kim
Just saw this old thread, hope you made out okay, It's super easy. I did the same, took a complete cruise setup from a 76 Cordoba and installed in my 73 Charger, worked like a charm, VERY nice detailed pics from the posters. As you can see there are many small parts invovled, especially the carb linkage.
carguy300
Well-Known Member
Have not had a go of it yet, had a few more pending issues came up with the 300. Going to look for a doner car this spring.
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