Adding Cruise Control

[cowdoc]

My 2005 ST was not equipped with cruise control. The several dealers I have spoken with about adding it are clueless. While searching past threads I have found the topic raised but never answered. My main question is if the wiring is present in the steering column and harness. If it is it would be simple to add the steering wheel with controls and the TPS with the cruise servo. If this is not possible does anyone know of a good aftermarket product out there.

 

[steved]

I was told by several dealers that adding cruise is not possible... it is one of the only things they can't add and the truck must have been built with it...



steved

 

[azpete]

Have not seen the cruise controls on the new trucks so I do not want to give you any false hopes. I just bought a 04 jeep wrangler, no cruise. On a Jeep forum I found a post about a supplier selling a complete factory kit for around $200. The area on the steering wheel where the switches would be are just blank plastic covers. Remove the air bag, covers and the switches just plug in. Under the hood the servo mounts to where the factory one would be. The wiring harness had the plug just hanging there. The whole job took under 30 min.



The Jeep Forum Search is down so I can not give you the supplier. An Internet search may be helpful. Like I said, have not seen the controls on the new trucks, but if the switches are not built in with the air bag the wireing should be there for a install. It's alot cheaper to make one wiring harness than a different one for each accessory.

 

[TCDiesel]

My 2005 ST was not equipped with cruise control. The several dealers I have spoken with about adding it are clueless. While searching past threads I have found the topic raised but never answered. My main question is if the wiring is present in the steering column and harness. If it is it would be simple to add the steering wheel with controls and the TPS with the cruise servo. If this is not possible does anyone know of a good aftermarket product out there.

The stock Cruise travel through a clock spring in the steering wheel it would be next to impossible to install steering wheel controls.

 

[JHern]

I have been told the same thing the sales rep said it was possible the sent it to a custom shop in sacramento to have it done 3 days later no go & no after market kits was told that the computers need to be swapped. This was promised as a due dill & i worked out a deal for the exhaust brake & several other small parts in exchange to keep the truck. if any body hears otherwise please let it be known



2006 2500 4x4 six speed, exhaust brake,air lift air bags

 

[cojhl2]

Go to ROSTRA.com. . They have the best and also good customer service!!

 

[DPKetchum]

AZPETE is correct! Well up to 2001 ( I retired then) adding FACTORY CRUISE was a piece of cake. D. C. made a cruise kit to add factory cruise. Took no time to install. ECMs,steering wheel etc. were all the same. Handled the install a few times a year on trucks and Plymount Voy(Caravans). It was all plug in stuff. I think you need a better parts man or parts manager to inguire with. It WAS NOT a piece by piece but a complete factory kit.

 

[JStrasser]

IT CAN BE DONE w/FACTORY CRUISE

My 2005 ST was not equipped with cruise control. The several dealers I have spoken with about adding it are clueless. While searching past threads I have found the topic raised but never answered. My main question is if the wiring is present in the steering column and harness. If it is it would be simple to add the steering wheel with controls and the TPS with the cruise servo. If this is not possible does anyone know of a good aftermarket product out there.

Cowdoc,



6 months ago I went through the same situation. I'll try to keep the story short.

Went to our local DC dealer when they advertised a new 2006 2500 CTD QuadCab, long bed, 4x4, 6 speed manual, ST model- less than $30k.

Drove the truck really liked it. It did not have cruise control. I will not buy a vehicle without cruise. The salesman stated that it was "no problem" adding it. Believing him (that was stupid) we bought the truck right there.

Took it back to them a week later to have the cruise added in.



Here is where the story gets bad before it gets good. After they had it for the entire day (they said, oh about 4-5 hours it will be done) they were unable to get it to work.



Here is the important part- they were trying to install an AFTERMARKET KIT.



After 3 more one day trips to the dealer, they managed to get the cruise to work, except that at any speed under 57-58, it would continually cycle- up 3-4 mph above the set speed then down 3-4 mph below set speed and back up every 4-5 seconds. The dealer service manager tried to have me say that it was acceptable. NO,NO,NO!!



After that "test drive" with the SM, I went right to the general manager of the dealership and told him that I wanted a different truck. He had an ST reg cab manual trans with factory cruise that he had me drive to compare it to the botched job in my truck. Worked great down to 37 mph in 6th.



OK, here it gets much better! The GM then had the parts guy find out what parts that truck had that mine did not. They then ordered these parts and had them within a week.



HOW HARD WAS IT TO INSTALL FACTORY CRUISE IN MY '06? Once I dropped it off, in less than 4 hours they had taken the aftermarket system out AND installed the factory cruise. Steering wheel switches (NOT a new steering wheel) just like factory.



It most definitely can be done, and done correctly. 6 months ago I was asking the same question here and on other forums and got some of the same negative answers and guesses.



But after my bad experience with aftermarket cruise, that is NOT the way to go (unless you want to pull your hair out).



The service department at my dealer might be willing to advise yours about what to order and how to install it. PM me if you want their name/number.



Sorry for the long post, but I am trying to help anyone else from going through the frustration (I actually gave you a shortened version) that I did. I actually told the GM that if I had to bring the truck back ONE MORE TIME to get that cruise to work, I was going to drive through the front window- I was only halfway joking and I think he knew that.



John

 

[DPKetchum]

It was available as a kit from D. C. Parts manager needs to know his job and if not to call HIS REP who will inform him.

 

[steved]

It was available as a kit from D. C. Parts manager needs to know his job and if not to call HIS REP who will inform him.

It WAS NOT available in 04 when I bought my truck... I had several dealers tell me so, including the techs and the parts guys.



So if they offer cruise now, I might be heading back to the ******* to see if I can get this kit...



steved

 

[DPKetchum]

Well it was in 05 according to JSTRASSER! As I said Partsmanager needs to call HIS rep.

 

[JHern]

After talking to JStrssser last week i was able to put factory cruise on my 2006 st i ordered the switches from dodge pulled the horn/airbag from the sterring wheel please disconnect the batteris before you start the truck is prewired the plugin wiring is plugged into the back side of the blanks on the sterring wheel the unscrew the screw holding the blanks 1 on each side. Plug the wiring into the switches reinstall the switches then the air bag hook the batteries up it is really this easy i did it on saturday in about 10 minutes & it works perfect.



Cost of switches 33. 26 from dealer

time approx 10 minutes

tools 10mm socket & short extension to take airbag loose back side of sterring wheel

phillips head screw driver to loosen the blanks once air bag is out of hte way



2006 2500 ST, 4x4, lwb, exhaust brake, air lift air bags, CRUISE CONTROL

 

[DPKetchum]

I see things have not changed on that issue since I left in 01. Including personal with a lack of knowledge and a willingness to investigate a issue and not shoot from the hip. In fact the cruise issue is cheaper now as a servo is not needed as it was in previous years.

 

[steved]

I see things have not changed on that issue since I left in 01. Including personal with a lack of knowledge and a willingness to investigate a issue and not shoot from the hip. In fact the cruise issue is cheaper now as a servo is not needed as it was in previous years.

Without being an ALL KNOWING dodge person, I went by what the dodge garages told me since at the time there was nobody else...



steved

 

[RankRam]

After talking to JStrssser last week i was able to put factory cruise on my 2006 st i ordered the switches from dodge pulled the horn/airbag from the sterring wheel please disconnect the batteris before you start the truck is prewired the plugin wiring is plugged into the back side of the blanks on the sterring wheel the unscrew the screw holding the blanks 1 on each side. Plug the wiring into the switches reinstall the switches then the air bag hook the batteries up it is really this easy i did it on saturday in about 10 minutes & it works perfect.



Cost of switches 33. 26 from dealer

time approx 10 minutes

tools 10mm socket & short extension to take airbag loose back side of sterring wheel

phillips head screw driver to loosen the blanks once air bag is out of hte way



2006 2500 ST, 4x4, lwb, exhaust brake, air lift air bags, CRUISE CONTROL

Hey I'm glad you gotter done!



Do you happen to know if this will work on an ST 04. 5 manual equipped truck?



Thanks!

 

[DPKetchum]

Bet it will work on any D. C. product built without cruise. Use to install the same deal but with a servo on bare 6 cyl. gasser trucks and Caravans etc.

 

[steved]

Hey I'm glad you gotter done!



Do you happen to know if this will work on an ST 04. 5 manual equipped truck?



Thanks!

I don't know, but after the first of the year I'll be finding out...



steved

 

[DPKetchum]

My wife has been wanting daytime running lights on our 2006 Gran Marquis. Was told it needed a differant ecm,relays etc. I think its proberly B. S. as its also the same car used in Canada. Manufactures do keep some things simple. They don't install differant ecm's or delete wiring if auto not equiped with certain items etc. I think the folks that told her such really DON"T KNOW and instead of saying so just spew stuff out of their mouth. The day time running lights are not high up on my find the truth list yet. Its getting there but not at the top.

 

[azpete]

DPKetchum, just what I thought. It would be cheaper on the assembly line to have one basket with the same wiring harness than 10 baskets with different ones depending on the accessories. Wish I was as lucky as JHern for $33. I can see where a servo would raise the price abit and was happy to pay the price with an easy install.

 

[JHern]

Hey I'm glad you gotter done!



Do you happen to know if this will work on an ST 04. 5 manual equipped truck?



Thanks!

I dont know but to check try & see if you can take the center section of the steering wheel out mine was easy 2 10mm bolts, if you can get it off you should see the wires going to the blanks on the steering wheel. Im not sure if the 04s are the same steering wheel as the 06 but i would amagine that dodge uses only one wiring harness for all their trucks. If you try this make sure to disconnct the batterys so the air bag wont go off accidently. i talked to the parts guy at my dealer today to let them know about this & they were very suprised it was this simple . Wish you luck with it let us know if it works out



2006 2500 QC, lwb, 4x4,6 speed, exhaust brake, air lift air bags, CRUISE CONTROL