Re: [AMC-List] Thinking about cruise control

[Glen Hoag <hoag@xxxxxx>]

Heathkit used to sell a version of the Dana (now Rostra) cruise 
control system.  It used the same servo and electronic control module 
as the OEMs, but used a "magnet on the driveshaft" speed sensing 
setup.  I had one; it worked pretty well.  The sensor is only as good 
as the prep work you do and the tape you use to hold the magnets to 
the driveshaft.  Make sure everything is clean.

Of course, if you can get one of the tach generators that go in the 
speedo cable, that would be better.

GM cars from the 1980s with cruise should also be suitable donors; 
they used Dana cruise controls, plus they have the same steering 
column, so the switch should fit.  You might have to get a special 
speedometer cable made up, though.

At some point, manufacturers began integrating cruise control into 
their engine management systems, so the Dana setup fell out of favor.

--Glen

>Find a Concord/Eagle/Spirit to get the factory cruise from. It's the 
>same amount of work (or less) as installing one of those cheapy 
>aftermarket cruises, it has the correct factory appearance and 
>function, and it's less likely to fail than the cheapy units. In 
>fact, most of the aftermarket cruise units utilize the exact same 
>servo assembly and control box that AMC used on their factory cruise 
>units. I've done this exact same upgrade several times on AMCs, and 
>it's not a bad job to do.
>
>Those "magnet around the driveshaft" setups have never impressed me. 
>It seems very makeshift at best and if the magnets ever come off or 
>the flimsy sensor bracket gets bent,  then what?
>
>Jeff Reeves
>Auburn, GA
>94 Cherokee
>79 Spirit GT
>72 Javelin SST
>69 Ambassador DPL
>
>
>Message: 11
>Date: Tue, 12 Dec 2006 11:54:50 -0800 (PST)
>From: JOE FULTON <piper_pa20@xxxxxxxxxxx>
>Subject: [AMC-List] Thinking about Cruise Control
>To: amc-list@xxxxxxxxxxxx
>Message-ID: <898630.61978.qm@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
>
>I'm considering adding cruise control to my 77
>Gremlin.  The cheapest aftermarket kit I have found is
>from Audiovox.  It uses magnets (on the driveshaft
>presumably) to detect the speed.
>
>Does anyone have any experience with this unit or
>should I try to pull a cruise from a later model AMC
>Eagle or Concord?
>
>Regards,
>Joe Fulton
>Salinas, CA
>
>
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-- 
Glen Hoag                               '75 Pacer 258 (x3)
hoag@xxxxxx                             '76 Pacer 258 (for parts)
Limestone County, Alabama               '77 Pacer 258 (for kids)
                                         '80 Pacer 258 DL wagon
                                         '81 Concord DL 258
AMO #7895    AMCPC #471                 '82 Spirit 151
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