Cruise Control

[joshb003]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Rost...r_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3cb920f80a


This listing says the cruise control is easy to install etc, and it's reasonably priced. has anyone purchased one? Or installed, is it relatively easy?

 

[ford1953jimma]

I bought the same Rostra 250-9601 from O.W. Donald Co.(www.owdonald.com) for $235+UPS shipping last April(I just checked,and it is the same price-you have to open an account to see the price and order it).It was very easy to install,since it is a "drive by wire" style.I did have to call the Rostra help# to clarify some wire colors in the instructions not matching the wire colors in the car,and about the white wire for the clutch switch. Apparently most of these are installed by people that do it for a living,and the instructions are geared to them.After I informed the tech at the help# that I hadn't done an install before,he put things in a more basic installer language,and was very helpful.Before you drill the mounting hole for the switch lever,make sure you locate it where there is enough room under the shroud for the switch and wires.I had to drill the hole lower than I would have liked because of clearance problems under the shroud.It works very well,with the exception of the on/off switch being overly sensitive(sometimes I accidentally brush it when reaching for the accel or decel switch,and turn the unit off).Also the green power light is not bright enough to see in the daylight. I have taken two 1300 mile each way round trips since the install,with no problems.

 

[DaleNixon]

Very interesting. Any other cruise control options for us Sport owners?

 

[Andy Hollis]

Very interesting. Any other cruise control options for us Sport owners?

I am told unofficially by service personnel at our dealership that if you swap out the steering wheel and reprogram the "As Built" data for your car in the ECU, that it will work just like in a Touring. That dealership has apparently done this on many of the drive-by-wire Mazdas.

 

[PGTBrow]

Very interesting. Any other cruise control options for us Sport owners?

Put a brick on the pedal (wow)

 

[DaleNixon]

Has anyone explored any other options at this point for cruise control on a Sport? I tried the brick suggestion, but it didn't work so well.

 

[Andy Hollis]

Has anyone explored any other options at this point for cruise control on a Sport? I tried the brick suggestion, but it didn't work so well.

I picked up a Touring steering wheel with buttons from a wrecking yard recently for a measely $100 w/o the airbag. I haven't gotten around to installing it yet, but I suspect it will be relatively easy. Then I'll get the local dealership to change the "as built" in the ecu. That *should* work.

I recently did this same thing with my daughter's Mazda 3 and it worked like a champ. In that car, the buttons come separately, so you can simply add them to the wheel. With the 2, you have to change the wheel itself.

If you want a wheel, try car-part.com.

 

[DaleNixon]

Didn't a member here try that with no luck? I drink a lot so I could be wrong.

 

[Andy Hollis]

Update on this...

Finally got around to installing the Touring steering wheel on my Sport. Unfortunately, the airbag is different between the two wheels and I did not get the Touring bag with the new wheel from the wrecking yard. The plug for the horn is different (though that can easily be rewired). The real kicker is that the way the two bags fit over the wheel spokes is different. I suppose I could hack up the plastic trim to make it fit, but that seems a bit drastic/ghetto. So...I am now looking for a cheap Touring airbag. Wish me luck.

 

[DaleNixon]

Good luck and thanks for pioneering this, sir!

(cheers)

 

[bedhed]

Before you drill the mounting hole for the switch lever,make sure you locate it where there is enough room under the shroud for the switch and wires

How might one go about removing the shroud?

Thanks for your help!

 

[CorkSport]

Update on this...

Finally got around to installing the Touring steering wheel on my Sport. Unfortunately, the airbag is different between the two wheels and I did not get the Touring bag with the new wheel from the wrecking yard. The plug for the horn is different (though that can easily be rewired). The real kicker is that the way the two bags fit over the wheel spokes is different. I suppose I could hack up the plastic trim to make it fit, but that seems a bit drastic/ghetto. So...I am now looking for a cheap Touring airbag. Wish me luck.

Did you ever find an airbag? I have one from our b-spec car if you still need one.

-Derrick