Hi everyone,

I've seen an advert on the telly for DIY cruise control kits for only $179. I'm wondering if it'll install easily in a '75 kombi - has anyone put cruise control in a bus?

The contol panel would be easy to install on/under the dash, and I'd imagine the throttle control box and cable would be easy to put in too. So that leaves just the speed sensor: it's got a little magnet thing that's supposed to cable-tie onto a drive shaft and a sensor that has to sit next to where the magnet is rotating.

Is it feasible, or am I just dreaming?

you are not dreaming, I fitted to my Humber & it is great, it it fairly easy to set up the linkage, with the speed sensor you would have to set it up on the inner hub & a bracket off the gearbox

Cool, thanks!

Does anyone have a brand preference for DIY cruise control?

I have cruise control on Daisy. It is not connected at the moment so i cant really tell you anything.

I "thought" it was vacuum controlled. The reason we didnt leave it connected was the fewer points for potential vacuum leaks the better. I will look and see what type it is.
Also dont know if a kombi really has the grunt to drive it hard enough. Think you would find it always cutting out.

Barry

I think the one advertised is IT as far as affordable goes it is also available at K-mart (best to wait for one of those % off everything sales!)

they use the vacuum to power the opening of the throttle, not to sense engine load, Barry is right about Kombi grunt problems, it is best to use on flat or mildly undulating country, even on the Humber with 130BHP it tries to take the accelarator thru the floor as it can not anticipate a hill coming & tries too late to compensate

Isn't a cruise control for an old Kombi called a brick on the accelerator pedal?

Only kidding....

Yeah - didnt one one our intelligent forum members put one on evil bay?

Is the link still about?

Jaycar also make a cruise control kit I believe. :thumb

What's all this bull about kombis not having enough power to fit a cruise control??? :o

Hi

I fitted Dana cruise control to my old Audi and my brothers Falcon. It worked very well in both cases, when I sold the Audi I kept the system and I have it 1/2 fitted to my bug now, I just need to run a few more wires. The biggest problem with fitting is they are designed around a front engined car, with a rear engine car you will need to extend the wires. With a low powered car you will need to anticpate the hills for the cruise control. The reason I wanted to fit is because Im cruise control junkie, I use cruise control to go to the shops in the Prado, it sure saves the liscense.

Im not sure how good these $179 systems are mine was worth about $400 years ago, I have heard that VDO make a good system.

1302Steve

I've got a K-Mart kit on an old Holden and it works a treat - just as good as a new Falcon or Commodore. But, yes, you may run out of grunt for long hills - but it'd be great for freeway running

Have to agree with the freeway use comment.
When used on hilly drives it will destroy any fuel economy( the unit not anticipating hills and then over accelerating .)
Certainly good to reduce foot/ leg weariness on long trips.

Oh and fitting the cable tied sensor on to the CV joint - I did this for a car computer once and found no problems.
Hopefully they have a balanced load tied on to the spinning part. That is I hope that it is not just one magnet. If it is then I would put a similar weighted object on opposite side of CV.