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Cruise Control Swap Out


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My son and I are looking at purchasing a 1972 El Camino that has factory cruise control. The El Camino is fairly rusty and will be driven and not restored. It's his first car and I'm helping pay and get road worthy. As part of our agreement, I get the cruise control to put on my ‘72 Monte Carlo Custom. We have no idea if the cruise works or not.

 

My questions are:

1. How difficult is it to move the cruise from 1 car to the other?

            The column wiring and turn signal/cruise lever, in particular

2. If it doesn't work, is it fairly easy to make them work, ie: is it worth it?

 

Here is some info that I feel is pertinent:

The El Camino is an A-Body just like a Chevelle and Monte Carlo. It has the original 402 big block with the original quadra-jet carb and linkages. Everything under the hood looks virgin and unmolested (Yes, we are considering pulling the 1972 date coded big block out for install in the Monte and putting a small block in the Elco. His first car, remember). The El Camino has a TH-400 transmission with column shift, non-tilt steering column, A/C and we think 2.73 rear gearing. The current owners says the speedometer doesn’t work and he thinks it’s the cable.  My Monte is the original 350 small block w/quadra-jet, TH-350 floor shift, tilt steering, A/C and 3.31 rear gearing. I don’t know if this matters, but both cars have the exact same dash with tach and gauges.

 

When I retire in a few years the Monte will be our cross country/traveling car and I really like the idea of having cruise control for those long hauls. And I prefer the factory set-up vs aftermarket even if it isn’t as accurate.

 

Any help/comments/suggestions appreciated.

Thanks,

Scott

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Hi Scott,

 

I put in an OEM Cruise Control a few years back.  

Things to consider:

1)  Take good detailed pic's of Cruise Control and Servo under hood, noting vacuum hoses routing for future reference (before you remove it).

2)  If you have the original plastic inner fender, there will be dimples for placement.

3)  The 2 speedo cables (to speedometer & other to tranny) may or may not be long enough.  If you have to remove Instrument Speedo Cable from speedometer, tricky getting to cable.  Not much room......... 

4)  Will have to get into steering column for Cruise Lever & routing the power wire.

5)  Not sure what your using for a Carb, but if not OEM, you will Likely need adapters to make the connections. 

 

That pretty much sums it up if you have all the components.  Just take your time & do as much research as you need.  :)

 

 

Doug  

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I did it many many years ago, like 30+!

I  have a 71 with plastic fenders so I had to add a separate ground wire.

I have had to take it apart several times to "clean" the inside of the unit. MARK it prior to separating the two halves, like you would an alternator.

Mine has a "kill" or shut off switch that looks like a brake light switch.

Had to "make up" some linkage parts linkage bkt.

Overall it was not that hard to get it working and I LOVE it!

I have had to replace one of the cables twice when the plastic tip wore off. Caution when cutting any replacement cable to the PROPER length or it won't work correctly

Some old pics:

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post-76-0-67929500-1519069652_thumb.jpg

 

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Just remembered there is a "vacuum release switch" on the brake pedal also.

My vacuum hose became brittle and started to leak. I just cut the end off and it was good to go.

 

 

Found the shop manual pages I had scanned.

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post-76-0-41853000-1519070198_thumb.jpg

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Thanks for the info Doug & Bruce, all your points taken. Photos and manuals are very helpful in my understanding how they work.

 

Does the steering column need to come out of the car to run the wires through or can they be fished in while it's in the car?

 

I wish I could just buy the cruise control, but he wants to sell the whole car around it. Still contemplating the whole idea and it may go nowhere but I like doing the homework!

 

If he changes his mind, what is a reasonable price for a complete/unproven cruise control?

 

Scott

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Scott,

Does the steering column need to come out of the car to run the wires through or can they be fished in while it's in the car?
I don't remember having to remove it the first time, and later when I added a "tilt" column, I did it while the column was out of the car..
 
I wish I could just buy the cruise control, but he wants to sell the whole car around it. Still contemplating the whole idea and it may go nowhere but I like doing the homework!
That's how I got my OE gauge package. When I went to sell the car, the starter went out!
 
If he changes his mind, what is a reasonable price for a complete/unproven cruise control?
Sorry, I don't really know or remember what I paid back in the 1980's for mine. $150.00 ???
 
Now that I think about it, I purchased a "spare" unit from a member 10+ years ago but I couldn't get it to work well enough (speed would not hold steady) so I repaired the old one. I wonder if I still have it? Always nice to have spare parts!
Good luck,
Bruce
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When I put in my Dakota Digital Cruise a couple of years ago I did not have to do anything but remove the steering wheel and steering locking plate to install my turn signal/cruise control lever. I just used a piece of 12 gauge house wire and attached the wire with some electricians tape that I removed once the wire was down the column. I had to but my self a steering wheel removing kit to get it done, could have rented one but have used the removal kit many time so worth the money to me.

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