Cruise Control fitment

[scrambler]

I'm planning a trip through to Central Australia next year - travel by sealed roads (sorry, might come back a more interesting way!) so looking at fitting cruise control. I'd helped install a DIY kit in my Dad's Falcon about 15 years ago and I see they're available for about $220 through ebay.

Does anyone have experience of these kits with a Rover v8? is the connection straightforward with the twin carbs?

Who have you bought through and who has a good price?

Any advice from the experts here? I'm building the car on a budget and would do without rather than spend $700 on a professional fitment.

Steve

[dmdigital]

Can't give any fitting advice but definitely worth doing with the long haul travel!

[JDNSW]

Not familiar with the V8 but I fitted one to mine with the Isuzu with no hassles. Been very worthwhile. Put the speed pickup on the front prop shaft just in front of the transfer case where the crossmember protects it.
John

[ladas]

These are generally very easy to fit, and most kits will include a selection of bits to connect to your throttle.

Most cars have a position where the OE would have been fitted - even the Rover V8 if I am not wrong.

[101RRS]

I fitted one I bought from Kmart to a disco 1 v8 manual - worked really well - speed was taken of the tacho inpulse. The cruise control computer would disconnect if there was a rapid change in pulses so I didn't need to put a disconnet micro switch on clutch as the engine speed change while changing gear was enough to disconnect the cruise control.

Also gave another Kmart one to bro for his Mitsi Tritoo Diesel - he used the magnets on the drive shaft for his speed sensing and it worked well too.

The cheap ones work OK.

Gazzz

[Captain_Rightfoot]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what car you have. Current defenders have it built in. You just have to add the switches. :)

[matbor]

IMO, get a unit that has the electric servo and not the vaccuum driven one, as it takes up less space and is a lot easier to fit...

[scrambler]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what car you have. Current defenders have it built in. You just have to add the switches. :)

I wish Cap'n. Then I'd get aircon that was at least a little cold, rather than starting a thread about fans :( . I've got a County.

[scrambler]

IMO, get a unit that has the electric servo and not the vaccuum driven one, as it takes up less space and is a lot easier to fit...
Matbor, where would I get one? The DIY kits seem to be vacuum driven, and the one I fitted years ago was as well - ran off the manifold vacuum at that.

Steve

[matbor]

not sure of the brand i fitted, but when i did mine 2/3 years ago now, the more expensive one was electric not vac, and i remember latter on that i wish i had of put the more expensive one in. will see if i can see a brand on mine.

[Scouse]

I'd 2nd the Kmart kits.
Get one on one of their 20-25% off days & it will be a lot less than $200.

I've used them for over 10 years now with no major problems. The odd dirty contact has stopped them from time to time but nothing major.

As Matbor says, try & get an electric actuator if at all possible. I haven't seen them available in DIY kits though.
I've found that as the engine loses vacuum up long hills (do to wider throttle opening), the cruise loses vacuum & won't hold the throttle open as far. An electric actuator would alleviate this problem.
Another option is to use an electric vacuum pump to operate the vacuum actuator but this is probably complicating things (although the Discos use one for the factory cruise control system).

I wouldn't have a car now without cruise control. All of my regularly driven cars have the Kmart kit fitted :) .

[crump]

I'm sorry, but I don't know what car you have. Current defenders have it built in. You just have to add the switches. :)

could you enlighten me more on this, was quoted $750 for a Davis one, that seems a lot for some switches?:eek:

[matbor]

I remember the place where i brought mine from, East Coast Auto in Melbourne. They sold both types of kits and worked off the taco.