I just bought a '05 XL and was wanting to get (going to get) cruise on it, actually it was supposed to be part of the deal when I bought the truck but there was a miscommunication and by the time we realized what was done I was ready to get the heck out of there so I told them I would just have it done and pay for it myself. Anyway, my question is this, I was on the Ford accessories page and saw where I can get the factory speed control for $160, this includes the new steering wheel with buttons. It states on it that dealer installation is required, just wondering how hard it actually would be? I am a fairly descent shade tree mechanic, would I be able to handle this chore? I plan on checking with Ford to see how much they would charge to do the install, but I am sure it will be outrageous, and I just cant see where it would be all that hard of a chore. I imagine for the most part the truck is probably already wired for it.

 

For more detail search for cruise control in this forum.
You can buy them on e-bay for about 60-70 shipped.
You can install it yourself, directions in this forum.
You still have to take it to the dealership to get it programed.

That just means the dealership 'turns on' the cruise function in the PCM. Without it, it doesn't work. This has cost between 55-85 bucks. Takes them about 10-20 minuets, but they may have to call the 800 help line if they don't know anything about the CAN bus used in the PCM.

A very few dealerships don't do this at all. These are the ones that the head technician is scared of computers... Not kidding here.



Don't get the one with the seven buttons, for radio/ac stuff. That harness is not in your column. You can have that added, but it ain't cheap. The regular cruise harness has been in all the ones I've seen. Job takes about 20 minutes, You need to rent/borrow/buy a two CLAW gear puller. it takes an 8 or 7 mm socket (forgot which) and a 45 torx socket.
Chris

 

Thanks Chris, guess I should of searched first! good info, nice to know all I have to buy is a wheel with buttons and then take it to the dealership to program. I will keep an eye out on Ebay for one.

 

got my $39 + $25 shipping Ebay steering wheel in on Friday, got'er done on Saturday, looks nice. One of the easiest things I have ever done, might of took 10 minutes and that includes gathering my tools! Going to call around to find out which dealer I am going to take it to now to get it activated. Thanks Chris and all others that have posted directions on other threads, its been really handy.

 

Do me a favor, and let me know how that goes at the dealer will you? I should have my cruise control wheel on the way here in the next few days...

Thanks....

 

Hi RjA150,
Please let us know the 'job number' (or what ever the service department uses to identify a job) that FORD tells the service department. I been to a few dealers and they have no clue and just state that to re-programming the computer will cost 1 to 1.5 hours without doing the foot work (by calling FORD) to get what Ford states for the actual time needed for the technician to turn on the cruise control.
Thanks,
MarkCh

 

When they did mine, it took about 20-30 minutes, but they did not have clue how to do it. So they called 'dial a prayer' the ford service hot line. Call and job could not have taken 20 minutes actual work.
looking for any job code, on my invoice but all I find is;

opcode: QS
and the comments; Reprogrammed PCM to support cruise control. road test system. operation normal.

That road test was done during the twenty minutes....

Chris

 

OK guys I will post what I find out, it may be later this week. I am covered up today and will be out of town tomorrow. Jayson

 

I had the cruise control retrofit done on my 05 XL today. I bought a wheel with the switches from a place in the mid west for $75 shipped. At first the service writer refused the job but I talked to the service manager and he checked with a tech to confirm my story that this was an easy retrofit and the tech agreed. Of course it works perfectly. Now I'm ready for some long distance highway cruising. I wouldn't have known about this retrofit if I hadn't researched this forum so thanks everybody.

 

good, glad to hear... I have yet to get time to go talk to the service department about doing mine. My truck has developed a rattle in the passenger door, so I am about to call and set up an appointment to get that looked at, I figure thats as good of time as any to try and get them to turn on the cruise.

 

I'll just link you to the thread where I detailed mine. it's easy as pie, not taking into account the waiting time for the airbag thing, it took about 20 minutes. Here's the link:



Click the banana!

 

Oh sorry man, I guess my post was confusing, I've already mounted the wheel, very simple thing to do. I just need to take it to the dealer and have the computer flashed, cant seem to get time to go do that.

 

Do any dealerships near you do Saturday? I was surprised that several dealers I have been to are open for service on Saturday. Guys just sitting around compared to weekdays.
Chris

 

I dont know, never have checked, but that may be what I have to do. That is if I can stay off the lake long enough opn a Saturday to get down there