As many of you know, I bought a barebones base model XL to get the least expensive truck possible. As a result of that, there was no cruise, power windows, or power locks.

Out of those three, I really missed cruise control the most. Well I decided to change that.

Per the instructions here I replaced my plain steering wheel with one found on eBay with the cruise controls on it.

I took it to the dealership yesterday for my 3,000 mile scheduled maintenance (oil change + fluids) in addition to getting the cruise 'activated'. The service manager came in to the waiting area and said "Sir, activating the cruise will be $34.95 - is that OK?" Of course it is!

Anyway, the wheel cost me $60 shipped plus $34.95 to 'activate' it, and POOF, two months after I purchased my truck it now has factory cruise control for under $100. Can't beat that with a stick!

It works perfectly with the little cruise icon on the cluster and everything.

I would like to thank 02SuperCrew4X, ChrisAdams and everyone else for your help!









More pics are in my gallery if you are interested! And if anyone has any questions, please ask!

 

Nice job I cant believe its that easy.

 

Youse a bad man!

 

Nice Mod!

 

Great job!

NCB

 

I don't understand, what about the cruise module under the hood and the safty switch on th master cylinder. What about the other components of the cruise control?

 

I don't know man...

It is my understanding that 2004 and up F-150s have cruise control already "on" the PCM but mine was not "activated". Once I installed the correct steering wheel with the controls, and the dealer has to do is "activate" it.

 

Thanks!

And to the guy in one of the other threads who said he pulled the wheel off himself, I either (1) call BS or (2) want to have his children because it was A BIOTCH to get off. Granted we had the wrong puller (thanks to the dumb farks at AutoZone) but we made it work. Once we got that initial 'pop' of the wheel, it was fairly easy. My brother-in-law and I are both pretty big dudes and both of us together couldn't pull it off. Maybe you just had one that wasn't as tight or something, but man, it was tough for us!

This is probably my most useful and practical mod to date!

 

I think its all electronic being that our trucks are 'fly by wire.'

 

Very nice, cruise definitely rocks

 

Congrats, ToddziLLa.
I sure have to agree on pulling the wheel.
That was a good price on the 'turning it on'.
Where did you have it done?
Chris

 

Graham Ford, Inc.
707 West Broad Street
Columbus, Ohio 43222
(614) 464-6000

 

Pulling the wheel off with your hands isn't too bad, as long as you're holding your mouth right. Glad it worked out for you though.

 

Hey Todd,

Don't mention it man. As for pulling the wheel off by hand, I believe I was the one who said I did that, and I did. That was on my old truck...

Keep in mind, I am 6'1" and 225, and I have a LOT of upper body strength, so that may have something to do with it (many pushups and situps in the Army will do that to you).

I am glad you got your cruise control working properly, and I am also glad that even though you purchased an XL, you're still working hard on making it "your truck."

That's what this hobby is all about. Oh, and you're welcome for the advice in my thread, seeing as how you MUST have read it, and took the advice. Oh, and if anyone wants an STX with cruise, I know where there's one for sale (at work in the used car front line) with only 6k miles on it. Enjoy!

 

Great job!!