[tecknojoe]

Hey all, I just bought a used '15 LWB Transit van. It's exactly what I need, except it doesn't have cruise control. Is that installable? It wouldn't kill me but would be nice.

What about running auxillary power? Who's added an extra battery for storing extra power?

 

[hammerhome]

Cruise control is installable,
http://www.thecruisecontrolstore.com/
I don't know if they have one for the transit yet, but you could always install a universal kit that has its own servo to control the accelerator. They make a universal control that mounts to the dash instead of the column. It's a little more labor, but looks cleaner than those hokey aftermarket cruise control levers. That was what I bought for my 2000 E250.

 

[impatient]

I'm in similar boat, though haven't bought the Transit yet. Installing the Rostro CC unit involves cutting wires, and I can just see Ford voiding the warranty in that case. Cruisecontrolstore (Rostro) does claim to have a Transit unit now.

Any advice?

 

[joefromga]

I'm in similar boat, though haven't bought the Transit yet. Installing the Rostro CC unit involves cutting wires, and I can just see Ford voiding the warranty in that case. Cruisecontrolstore (Rostro) does claim to have a Transit unit now.

Any advice?

They're not going to "void the warranty". That's not even a real thing. If your tinkering caused an issue that would normally be covered under the warranty and the dealer can show that you caused the problem they will not have to repair it under warranty.

If you add a set of lights that isn't going to affect the exhaust warranty or engine warranty. If you change the seat covers it's not going to affect the tire warranty or electrical systems warranty. (unless you destroyed the seat airbag system while doing it)

If you clip wires and the computer burns up you will have a problem (if they discover it) but the rest of the warranty still applies to the rest of the the vehicle.

Adding cruise control is pretty easy to do. Most vehicles have the connectors already in them near the throttle cable housing. Generic systems use either an abs pulse sensor or a driveshaft pickup. I used one of those for over 100k miles and never had a problem on an astro cargo van.

 

[Budsky]

I put many cruise controls back in the 70/80's, the old vacuum operated units that actually tugged on the throttle linkage.
Now many have "drive by wire" with the throttle operated by a stepper motor- there is no linkage or throttle cable.
That leaves connecting into the vehicle electronics as the only option.

 

[impatient]

They're not going to "void the warranty". That's not even a real thing. If your tinkering caused an issue that would normally be covered under the warranty and the dealer can show that you caused the problem they will not have to repair it under warranty.

If you add a set of lights that isn't going to affect the exhaust warranty or engine warranty. If you change the seat covers it's not going to affect the tire warranty or electrical systems warranty. (unless you destroyed the seat airbag system while doing it)

If you clip wires and the computer burns up you will have a problem (if they discover it) but the rest of the warranty still applies to the rest of the the vehicle.

Adding cruise control is pretty easy to do. Most vehicles have the connectors already in them near the throttle cable housing. Generic systems use either an abs pulse sensor or a driveshaft pickup. I used one of those for over 100k miles and never had a problem on an astro cargo van.

I understand, changing the seat covers wouldn't affect the transmission warranty, but cutting into wires which connect to the ECM might have more consequence to Ford's warranty interpretation. IMHO. ECM affects ignition advance, shift points, maybe turbo BOV, etc. See where I am heading?

I'm fairly fearless with my 99 GMC, have even hacked into the cruise control, but times have changed. Ask any NCV3 Sprinter owner if they just go cutting wires willie nillie.

But really, my question is : has anyone done it, anyone done it with something other than Rostro unit, any "stealth" alternatives that completely plug in, no cutting necessary, can be removed before a visit to the Ford Service Dept, and easily re-installed afterwards.

 

[jcozine]

Rostra review

I just installed the Rostra 250-9636NS cruise control kit in my ex-Enterprise (i.e. bare bones) '15 Transit. Surprisingly solid product. Instructions were total junk though - I had no idea how to remove any of the interior panels, or how to snap pins into plugs in the right orientation. They say to cut their provided OBDII harness when you don't even have to, and they even messed up the required hole diameter for their stalk (10mm =/= 3/8" retards). Their youtube video at least pointed me in the right direction, otherwise I never would've figured it all out. Took me about 3 hours, and only actually required splicing into one existing wire. The rest of the kit goes in with in-line harnesses, so it'd be easy to uninstall aside from the hole that gets drilled in the side of the steering column cowl.

 

[Bob Haven]

Rostra Cruise Control question

Note: I'd ask this via personal message but I don't have enough posts on the site.

I just got a Rostra cruise control unit and was confused by the install instructions. Thank you for helping to clarify things in your post. I have the non-ns version but it looks basically the same.

My question relates to where to hook the Red Wire (the one with the fuse) Is it to be spliced to the Brown/Yellow wire on the steering column (as mentioned in the manual)? Otherwise things seem pretty straightforward.

It looks to me that the wires dont have to be cut off the OBD2 and then solderd on to the existing OBD2. I'm assuming I can just plug them into the existing connectors?

Any response would be appreciated.

 

[jcozine]

It's been a while since i did it, but that sounds right. If in doubt, use a multimeter to see if the wire you're splicing into is putting out the right voltage at the right time.

 

[jcozine]

By the way, for anyone considering this product, I retract my "solid product" endorsement... On my 3.7L van it goes unstable going up the slightest hill, and enters into a 4th to 6th and back shifting cycle. If factory cruise is an option at all, take it.

 

[Damaskinos_of_Athens]

.
Cruise should be mandatory standard equipment.
.

 

[surly Bill]

AC is now a standard thing in almost all cars.

Cruise is nice, when you can use it. Where I live, the traffic goes from 80 to 0 and back to 80 24 hours a day at random frequency and random locations. Absolutely NO WAY for me to ever use cruise here. I would like it for long drives, and the aftermarket cruise is under $300. I may get it at some point. I can't decide if the column mount or the dash mount would be better.

 

[Bob Haven]

Rostro Cruise Control for Transit

I'm in similar boat, though haven't bought the Transit yet. Installing the Rostro CC unit involves cutting wires, and I can just see Ford voiding the warranty in that case. Cruisecontrolstore (Rostro) does claim to have a Transit unit now.

Any advice?

I just finished installing the Rostro unit. Took less than 30 minutes and involved no cutting of wires. I did deviate from Ford's dictum about wire by using a Posi-lock connector to connect to the hot wire on the steering column, but I've found Posi-locks to be very reliable on my motorcycle which is a very hostile environment. (off road) Instructions a a bit misleading in seemingly requiring the cutting of wires on the OBD2 (If you look at the page, it's for a Ford Fiesta or Focus). In actual fact, all of the connections are actually simple plug and play - including the OBD2. They simply sit in between the existing connections.

I've been testing it for a couple of days and am happy with the performance.

 

[Bob Haven]

Rostra Update: I've been using the Rostra Cruise Control unit for three months now and thought I'd provide an update. In a nutshell, the unit continues to work flawlessly. I mainly use it for speed control on open highways. It holds my speed within a couple of mph, and what I especially like is that it will give up a little bit of speed rather than downshifting on hills (and mountains). Not quite as convenient as having controls on the steering wheel, the stalk based system is very easy to turn on or off. Overall, I'd say it was a great addition.

 

[EL34xyz]

My cruise install

 

[call me Rob]

I just finished installing the Rostro unit. Took less than 30 minutes and involved no cutting of wires. I did deviate from Ford's dictum about wire by using a Posi-lock connector to connect to the hot wire on the steering column, but I've found Posi-locks to be very reliable on my motorcycle which is a very hostile environment. (off road) Instructions a a bit misleading in seemingly requiring the cutting of wires on the OBD2 (If you look at the page, it's for a Ford Fiesta or Focus). In actual fact, all of the connections are actually simple plug and play - including the OBD2. They simply sit in between the existing connections.

I've been testing it for a couple of days and am happy with the performance.

Yep that stalk looks exactly like the one the dealer installed on our stripped cargo van.

7000+ miles, and it’s working perfectly. I consider cruise control a must-have feature on a vehicle. I even use mine around town above 30-35 mph.

 

[lolwisper4321]

Yep that stalk looks exactly like the one the dealer installed on our stripped cargo van.

7000+ miles, and it’s working perfectly. I consider cruise control a must-have feature on a vehicle. I even use mine around town above 30-35 mph.

Keep in mind that this is NOT the only version of Cruise Control from ROSTRA.

Check out the other model as well:

http://www.rostra.com/manuals/250-9636-NS_Form5541A.pdf

I plan to order this version with more features.

 

[Eiko]

What are the added features over the regular model? The pdf link only gives the install instructions. I didn't see a feature list on a quick skim of it.

 

[lolwisper4321]

What are the added features over the regular model? The pdf link only gives the install instructions. I didn't see a feature list on a quick skim of it.

Electronic cruise control systems by Rostra with built-in vehicle speed limiter and permanent memory locations for storing preferred cruise set speeds are available for many popular vehicle platforms from manufacturers like Ford,

The handle design is longer so easier to see and control in my opinion.

 

[Eiko]

Electronic cruise control systems by Rostra with built-in vehicle speed limiter and permanent memory locations for storing preferred cruise set speeds are available for many popular vehicle platforms from manufacturers like Ford,

The handle design is longer so easier to see and control in my opinion.

The standard cruise is fine for my needs. The extra functions don't do anything for me. Thanks for relieving me of the feeling that I was missing out on something!