Adding criuse control to a XJ that don't have it

[JeepDoggyDog]

My cruise control is good for model years 1991-1994 and has the turn signal control, I noticed there were separate kits for 1995 and 1996. I would say if your steering wheel is stock it would be in 1995 or 1996 that it changed.

 

[falcon556]

I did it on a 99. I think it is the same on 99+.
Piece of cake, plug and play. Got the parts from the salvage yard, very cheap.
Works great, the Cruise light and all electrical components are there waiting.
Biggest item is pulling the wheel to replace the clockspring, needs a puller that I borrowed from Autozone.
One caution, 98 and 99 parts look identical and they are, except the switches.
The switches have different resistance values and are not interchangeable.
Mixing the switches will turn a simple plug and play 30 minute job in to a week long disaster :-(

 

[scoobyxj]

What exactly was the repercussions of mixing the switches? Aside frrom it not working

 

[falcon556]

What exactly was the repercussions of mixing the switches? Aside frrom it not working

It didn't hurt anything, just drove me nuts, couldn't find anything wrong with the system it simply refused to turn on.
Decided to check the switches, they worked but didn't know if the values were correct. A forum member gave me the values and they didn't match mine.
The rest was easy.

 

[johnnyc]

Just added cruise control to my 96 tonight. Bought a NIB factory kit for $45 and had MJR install it since I didn't know what I was doing. But after watching him install it, it was actually quite easy. The 96s are pre-wired, so it was basically PNP. And it has the in-wheel controls.

It's kinda weird finally having cruise control after driving this Jeep for 9 years without it. But I like it... Just in time for the long drive to Moab.

 

[Chancer]

Oops, double post

 

[Chancer]

The pre-96's have 2 plugs: one that's got loads of wires and is a complete mare to get through the steering column, but the other one is a slim orange insulated plug that controls the cruise functions - where does it plug in to in the wiring loom?

 

[ghettocruiser]

For what its worth... My 94 didnt have CC. I bought an aftermarket kit from Autozone for around $90.00. It was made by audiovox I believe. Figured Ide try it. Its been working great for me for over a year now. Its VERY VERY simple to hook up. There was already a 'T' in a vac. line on the pass. side. Hook up a vac line, a few wires and feed a couple wires through the fire wall. The switch is a square deal that flush mounts. Its within easy reach and even lights up with the lights on. Only even semi-challenging part to it is hooking it to the throttle linkage. But the kit has so many different pieces and parts its not hard.

In fact here is a link to the website. Dont let the pic of all the brackets and stuff scare you. You probably wont even need it. I was able to bolt it to the fender well using the bracket attatched to the unit. Just my thought...definetly an easy job and you can probably find one of these easily.

Justin

http://www.audiovox.com/webapp/wcs/...0001&storeId=10001&productId=341067&langId=-1

 

[Jared]

Just added cruise control to my 96 tonight. Bought a NIB factory kit for $45 and had MJR install it since I didn't know what I was doing. But after watching him install it, it was actually quite easy. The 96s are pre-wired, so it was basically PNP. And it has the in-wheel controls.

It's kinda weird finally having cruise control after driving this Jeep for 9 years without it. But I like it... Just in time for the long drive to Moab.

Just curious, where did you find this for that cheap? I want one exactly like it for my '96.

Thanks,
Jared

 

[johnnyc]

Just curious, where did you find this for that cheap? I want one exactly like it for my '96.

Thanks,
Jared

You got a PM.

 

[rickoregon]

You got a PM.

Would you let me know, too? Thanks, Rick

 

[johnlv6]

Any idea why the 97-98 kit is $200 more than the one for the 99-01 (airbag?)? I just got a deal on a steering wheel off ebay....it came with the cruise controls and steering wire for $20. Any ideas of a more reasonable way to piece together the kit (saying as the wheel already comes with $110 of the parts)? I'm guessing i'll have to just suck it up and buy the airbag $150+.

My steering wheel is in bad shape and i REALLY want cruise control...so this seemed like a pretty good deal ($23). The wheel is around $60 new, $50 for the cruise controls, and $50 for the steering wire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=8075725351&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT

 

[falcon556]

The pre-96's have 2 plugs: one that's got loads of wires and is a complete mare to get through the steering column, but the other one is a slim orange insulated plug that controls the cruise functions - where does it plug in to in the wiring loom?

I used to have an '87 and had to work with the plug you are talking about.
Follow the steering column towards the base, near the bottom look over it.
You are looking for something very small and flat, it doesn't even look like a plug.
You'll know when you find it because it has 4 contactors that match the male.

 

[falcon556]

Any idea why the 97-98 kit is $200 more than the one for the 99-01 (airbag?)? I just got a deal on a steering wheel off ebay....it came with the cruise controls and steering wire for $20. Any ideas of a more reasonable way to piece together the kit (saying as the wheel already comes with $110 of the parts)? I'm guessing i'll have to just suck it up and buy the airbag $150+.

My steering wheel is in bad shape and i REALLY want cruise control...so this seemed like a pretty good deal. The wheel is around $60 new, $50 for the cruise controls, and $50 for the steering wire.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...d=1,1&item=8075725351&sspagename=STRK:MEWN:IT

What year did the wheel come off? The add said 97-01. Bull!!
97-98 is one and 99-01 is the other set. The switches look alike but are not identical.
You need two more items:
1. A clockspring for cruise (in a junk yard, if the bag blew it can mess up the connector of the clockspring)
2. A servo (cheap)
You don't need an additional airbag, use the one you have. A bag is a bag.

 

[johnlv6]

What year did the wheel come off? The add said 97-01. Bull!!
97-98 is one and 99-01 is the other set. The switches look like but are not identical.
You need two more items:
1. A clockspring for cruise (in a junk yard, if the bag blew it can mess up the connector of the clockspring)
2. A servo (cheap)
You don't need an additional airbag, use the one you have. A bag is a bag.

It came out of a 99. I looked around.....the steering wheel itself fits a 97-01 XJ (per JeepsAreUs). I saw that there was a difference between 97-98 and 99+ for the controls...if i have to i guess i can get the 97-98 controls and remove the 99 ones (hopefully it's that easy).

My airbag cover is bigger than the one required for that steering wheel/controls...it looks like that's $150-200 of the difference.

Do you know what the wires are to the right of the servo and clockspring?

 

[falcon556]

It came out of a 99. I looked around.....the steering wheel itself fits a 97-01 XJ (per JeepsAreUs). I saw that there was a difference between 97-98 and 99+ for the controls...if i have to i guess i can get the 97-98 controls and remove the 99 ones (hopefully it's that easy). I only have $20 wrapped up in this...it won't hurt my feelings too much if it doesn't work.

I'm banking on picking up the clockspring and servo...just wondering if there's anything else). My airbag cover looks bigger than the one required for that steering wheel/controls.

Edit: The clockspring and wires are the same for the 97-01 with cruise control. The cruise control switches are different...i'll have to get the 97-98 one's like you said.

Do you know what the wires are to the right of the servo and clockspring?

Whatever those wires are you don't need them. The whole thing is plug and play.
On your steering wheel right now you have two dummy plates curved, look like switches. You throw them away and install the real switches. The bags have to be identical.
I did this to my 99. The only problem I had was the switches, they gave me from a 98 and they didn't work in my 99. Took me days till I learned that they are the wrong parts. Then the bone yard refused to take them back because they are electrical parts. I got stuck with them.
Here is a little info. The switch design is very poor to put it mildly. Their attach point cracks. I went through a lot of trouble till I found a new set for my 99 that wasn't cracked. If you get them from a bone yard examine the attach area for cracks.

 

[johnlv6]

Whatever those wires are you don't need them. The whole thing is plug and play.
On your steering wheel right now you have two dummy plates curved, look like switches. You throw them away and install the real switches. The bags have to be identical.

That's the problem...the bags aren't anywhere near identical. Mine looks more like this. Mine doesn't have those plastic pieces to remove like yours had. My airbag cover actually takes up the extra space. If you chopped the 2" or so off the bottom of each corner, that's what i'd need. That's most likely why the 99+ kit is less...you can reuse the airbag that came with your Jeep.

.

 

[falcon556]

It came out of a 99. I looked around.....the steering wheel itself fits a 97-01 XJ (per JeepsAreUs). I saw that there was a difference between 97-98 and 99+ for the controls...if i have to i guess i can get the 97-98 controls and remove the 99 ones (hopefully it's that easy).

Just had a great idea -pat on the back- you need switches for a 98 and you have extras for a 99 that are useless to you. (not cracked I hope)
I have switches for a 98 that are of no use to me.
We could swap, I send you my 98 and you send me your 99.
Each pays his own shipping, we both end up happy
I could use some spares, I keep my Jeeps a long time.

 

[falcon556]

That's the problem...the bags aren't anywhere near identical. Mine looks more like this. Mine doesn't have those plastic pieces to remove like yours had. My airbag cover actually takes up the extra space. If you chopped the 2" or so off the bottom of each corner, that's what i'd need. That's most likely why the 99+ kit is less...you can reuse the airbag that came with your Jeep.

.

I remember that those kits included a bag cover.
Is it possible that the bag is OK the cover needs to be replaced?

 

[falcon556]

If you chopped the 2" or so off the bottom of each corner, that's what i'd need. .

You may have the solution right there.
What would happen if you trimmed those ears and replaced them with the switches?
Is it possible that the whole thing would work?