Adding cruise control
 

Npt sure if this is the right forum or not but I am just curious if its an outrageous idea to add factory cruise to my truck? I bought it rather stripped due to the awesome price but one thing I really do miss is the cruise control. Has anybody ever done this or have any idea what it might cost?

Thanks!

You can buy a complete kit from Ford as an accessory kit. It comes with every thing that you would need including the instructions. It would be cheaper ordering it online from places like Tasca Ford or any other online Ford dealer. Some guys on here have put the in and I dont think that it was very hard to do.LOL You can also search for info on this site. Iam sure there any some posts on the subject.

I have done this. I had the base XL. If you can't find an installer locally to do it, go online and look up 2009 F150 Cruise and you should find it (PM if not). The replacement steering wheel costs about $275, and even through most shops can install the wheel, it must be enabled by a dealer (or someone with the IDS tool). My total was about $400 total, but I am going to try to ebay the original wheel and maybe get back $75-100.

It is factory. Even the light on the dash turns on.

Yeah buy the wheel or the buttons and take it to the dealer to have them program it

Can't buy the buttons only for a 09. You have to buy a replacement wheel.

Is your 2008 a XL ?

Some of the base models do not have all the wiring in the 04-08 series ( just like Ford did in the 97-03 series ), so it might require some additional wiring.

At the very least digitalamish is correct, you will need the dealer to turn it on in the VSM ( even some had to do this with the door keypad )

I think there were some steering wheels for sale in the classified forum, I don't recall what they are out of ( might be the same results as you, could be XLT to Lariat upgrades ).

Yes it is the 08 XL. Sounds like it might be more hassle than its really worth. I may be purchasing a daily driver soon so depending on what I get it may no longer be an issue.

Thanks for the input guys!!

You should NOT need to change out the whole steering wheel. On your XL, those blank rectangles on each side of the steering wheel are covers for where the cruise control switches go. You keep the wheel and you do not even have to remove it to install the CC switches.

Switches are available as a kit from Ford, or from:

http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com...14/f1500407oem

Also on that page are the install instructions. It's about a 15 minute job that you can do yourself before taking it to the dealer.

I don't know what, if anything, is different in 2008, but my 2007 plain-Jane, fleet trim XL did have the wires for CC.

Last chore is to get it programmed. It's all of five minutes with the dealer IDS or FMP software. A kind service department might only charge you a basic diagnostic fee.

Well, YOU DO have to remove the steering wheel. the covers and the buttons are bolted on from the backside. I have done this as the first mod when i got the truck home.

I suggest calling FORD in your local area as you can buy just the buttons. You don't need the whole wheel. Yes You DO have to get teh computer programmed and it took us 20 min for the whole thing for there was an computer update that the truck needed.

I got my buttons pretty inexpensive from Tousley FORD as he gives us Mustang guys 10% over cost plus shipping. So ask them for the Mustang guy!

Hope this helps, and i love my cruise now!

We'll have to agree to disagree on this. I did this install on my 2007 and DID NOT have to remove the steering wheel. The 4 (2 on each switch) nuts that hold the CC switches can be reached from inside the the steering wheel where the air bag goes using a short (6mm?) open-end wrench turning about a 1/4 turn at at time. See the picture in the link I posted. Shows it done with the steering wheel attached.

Wow! So really all you have to do is add the buttons and have it reprogrammed? You dont have to do anything under the hood? If thats all it is I think I will look into doing this. This would make this truck so much more pleasureable to drive as my trip to work is mainly highway.

I will concede that you can do it, but why not remove the wheel as it is a t50 IIRC and came off without a hitch.

Yes, that is all go to the website above for install instructions. You will have everything you need.

I just wiggled the steering wheel back and forth and it came off pretty easy since it was new.

The best thing I did since I too drive 40 miles on the hwy to work!

I missed the original poster had an '08. Yes, based on what I've seen, you just get the buttons, not the whole wheel. That is an '09 thing. I think you still need to be reprogrammed though. Check with www.thecruisecontrolshop.com. I am not associated with them, they just were very helpful in answering some questions.

http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com.../0014/f1502009

They have the kits for the 09 as well.

The 08's I got from the dealer was cheaper than their switches. Just throwing that out there as well. I think i paid 80 bucks shipped for my buttons

The trademoition system shows :

W/o radio controls
Years :04-08
MSRP :$91.38
Online price : $45.23

Item # 6
http://www.trademotion.com/schematics/M/MA04300.gif

Your local dealer might get you the price for less than MSRP, and might not hurt to get it from the dealer doing the programming.

Might even want to ask them the difference between programming alone, and installing the switch + programming, as they might have a 1 hour min ?? This is something that varies greatly from posts from members ( some have cool dealers, others like myself not so much )

Well I just called my "friendly" local dealer and they told me it requires a complete aftermarket kit and it would run $600 installed! Are they full of crap or just trying to screw me? Still waiting to here back from where I bought the truck. Hopefully with better results.

Most dealers do not have a clue that you can add stuff like this.

Same thing for remote entry keypad, they would try to sell you a stick on pad, rather than order the door handle and keypad, and reprogram the VSM/BSM

Wait on the next dealer.

Hey Sean, I tell you what, order the buttons and when you go to have them turn it on and it does not work, I will buy the buttons for you.

That is how SURE I am.

I will paypal you 50 bucks if the buttons do not fit.

Take the install instructions for the programming in with you as well!

Oh and then tell that dealer the are d u m b a s s

The 08 switches are only around $45 -$46 on our site (depending on options)... and about $166 for a basic steering wheel with cruise for the 09 (you have other options redundant radio controls, leather, sync, etc that will change the price) .... not much of a bargain on that site.

Thanks for all the replies here guys but change of plans. I picked me up a nice daily driver today so the truck will be doing alot of sitting now. Therefore, I dont really need to add the cruise. Thought I'd just give an update.

I'm chiming in here... I just bought an '07 XL with the plastic dummy switches, and I'm interested in adding cruise. Are you guys telling me that the truck already has the capability for cruise control and that all it lacks are $45 buttons and a little programming? If so, it's completely insane that cruise is no longer standard on the XLs. My '99 XL had cruise control right off the assembly line. I was very disappointed to discover that the more recent model years don't.

I'm going to do this... Domenic, I had trouble finding the kit on your site. Can you PM me a link?

By the way, the Ford dealership I was dealing with early on in my truck-shopping quoted me $250 to add cruise. :rolleyes:

Yep. That's all there is to it.


Sure, full retail on the switches plus an hour of shop time could get up to $250.

Get the good price on parts from Tasca, add them in yourself, and then it's just 10 minutes of Ford programming.

Well, I have my cruise switches on the way from Tasca, and I called the dealership closest to my house and got a quote of $85 to hook the computer up and enable the cruise. I asked him how long it takes, and he said, "Oh, about an hour, hour and 15 minutes..."

Did he lie?

I'm going to call some other dealerships.

UPDATE: Okay, I wish the Ford dealerships could get their story straight:
Dealership 1: $85. Takes an hour or more.
Dealership 2: You don't even need programming. Just install the switches.
Dealership 3: $85. Takes an hour or more.
Dealership 4: I don't think that will work. I doubt those XLs have the servos, etc., for cruise control. I can't imagine you just have to install switches.

:rolleyes:

We have the winner for the stupidest dealer in your region !!! :lol:
No servo on a truck that is throttle by wire...... How does that work :D

Bzzzzt. Wrong. Putting the switches in might take an hour, but the programming part is like 10 minutes.

Maybe, but I doubt it. My XL was born without switches and I needed to program it. You could try installing the switches and see if the cruise works. If not, just keep driving to the dealer.


Bzzzzt. Wrong. See above.

Idiots. Servos and such all went away when Ford went to drive-by-wire electronic throttle control like 5 years ago...


It's not the cars. It's the dealerships that are killing the American auto industry.

Well, it looks like I'll be paying around $85 wherever I go, which is not TOO bad. The ones who know WTF I'm talking about are all quoting about the same price.

Probably just the 1 hour minimum shop rate / diagnostic rate.
This stops the 15 min to diagnose the problem, and have the owner get it fixed somewhere ( or by themselves ) else routine.
Quite common at a lot of places ( motorcycle shops, lawn mower shops, etc )

Great thread here.

I have an '06 XL. Is a 5 speed. I really want cruise in this truck. Is it possible with a manual, and if so, what happens when I depress the clutch, does it shut the CC down like the brake pedal will?

Also, Did I read right in an earlier post that some XLs are not wired for CC? How does one know other then removing the pad? Would I be right in assuming if it is true, a Manual trans truck might be one without it?

I'd be interested in an answer to this myself. I have a manual transmission, and it didn't occur to me that I wouldn't be able to do this project, since my 1999 XL was manual as well and had CC right off the assembly line.

I looked through my 2007 wiring diagram book tonight. In the case of the 4.2 w/ manual transmission, the book shows that there should be wiring between the clutch pedal and the PCM for cruise control. I say "should" because optional equipment in that manual usually has a dashed line around it with the "if equiped" designation. In the case of the PCM and clutch pedal wiring, there's NO dashed lines with that callout.

In the case of any engine/transmission in the 2007 book, the cruise control wiring is also shown does not have the dashed lines and "if equiped" designation. Again, indicating it should there.

If you feel that you must check first, there's a small connector behind the airbag. It's at 12'oclock with the steering wheel straight ahead with the airbag removed. If it has pins in just about every place, then the cruise wires are there.

From my on experience, 2007 XL/4.6/auto trans/KC factory, the cruise wiring was there and I just needed to install the switch and program the PCM. If Ford did something different than the above in different years or in different factories, I can't say.

sburn, thanks for the excellent info. Im hoping that stuff is a carry over form '06. As soon as I can scout out some buttons or a whole wheel, im on it.

For those interested with the manuals, I have seen trucks equipped with the M5OD with a CC and yes it does shut off with the clutch depressed.

Okay, I got the switches today (thanks, Domenic from Tasca Ford Parts!) and put them in. Can I just say that it is a B**CH to put those black screws back in, the ones that hold the airbag/horn pad on? I was afraid I was going to have to call a tow truck to get the thing to the dealership in the morning so that THEY could put them in for me. :eek: After much cursing and grunting, I finally got them back in.

Tomorrow I'll go to the dealership to get the programming done. Wish me luck! :rocker:

Take it the test drive = no Cruise Control.

You are correct, sir. Disappointing but not surprising.

Okay, I can now happily confirm that yes you can add factory cruise to an XL with manual transmission. :) The dealer programmed it for me this morning, and it works.

One question: There's no indicator light on the cluster when I switch the cruise on, but a small speedometer icon shows up when it's set and engaged. Is this correct?

Thanks for everyone who has provided guidance in this thread - it's why I love this site.

You guys :rocker:

:beers:

That is correct, no "on" indicator, only a set indicator.

You can check the cluster pictures in your owners manual, starting on page 12, it shows the cluster types, and where the indicators are at.

I installed the buttons Wednesday after work, took about 30 minutes tops. Does anyone looking at this work at a Ford dealership in South/Central Texas? The reason I ask is I've called 5 dealerships, 4 didn't sound like they new a thing about activating it in the computer, and the 5th wants $100+ to do the job.