Cruise control suitable for a classic
Cruise control suitable for a classic
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craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
I am currently in the process of doing a resto-mod on a Jaguar XJ Coupe. I want to add cruise control to it and the original equipment stuff from later Jaguars is not an option because the parts are just not available. I have been looking at aftermarket kits but the problem is the controllers generally look too modern, really ugly or replace a column stalk, all of which are a non-starter really.

Does anyone know of a very basic kit that is just pretty much on and off (I don't need resume and all that) which has a very subtle controller or can be wired to two universal switches?

Doofus

34,279 posts

202 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
https://webshop.johngold.nl/cruisecontrolspeedlimi...

John Gold have a simple-looking controller that you may be able to install discreetly.

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
Doofus said:
https://webshop.johngold.nl/cruisecontrolspeedlimi...

John Gold have a simple-looking controller that you may be able to install discreetly.
I actually have one of those kits but with the stalk controller that just looks like something out of a 1980s Hyundai and look awful. I guess that controller you post could be an option because I could maybe hide it somewhere.

I’m wondering if it could be disassembled at made to work with a couple of buttons that are in keeping with what I’m doing.... hmm

Doofus

34,279 posts

202 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
craigjm said:
I actually have one of those kits but with the stalk controller that just looks like something out of a 1980s Hyundai and look awful. I guess that controller you post could be an option because I could maybe hide it somewhere.

I’m wondering if it could be disassembled at made to work with a couple of buttons that are in keeping with what I’m doing.... hmm
I've just bought a car with one of these retro-fitted. I don't mind the stalk because, helpfully, I can't see it when driving, so don't really know how to use it smile

I was thinking you could disassemble the one I linked to, or install it behind a piece of veneer, so only the buttons are visible.

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
Doofus said:
craigjm said:
I actually have one of those kits but with the stalk controller that just looks like something out of a 1980s Hyundai and look awful. I guess that controller you post could be an option because I could maybe hide it somewhere.

I’m wondering if it could be disassembled at made to work with a couple of buttons that are in keeping with what I’m doing.... hmm
I've just bought a car with one of these retro-fitted. I don't mind the stalk because, helpfully, I can't see it when driving, so don't really know how to use it smile

I was thinking you could disassemble the one I linked to, or install it behind a piece of veneer, so only the buttons are visible.
Looked into it and its not going to work because the unit is designed to be fitted to a steering wheel and is hinged so you have to be able to move it forwards and backwards to access some of the controls.


Doofus

34,279 posts

202 months

Wednesday 12th June 2019
quotequote all
craigjm said:
Looked into it and its not going to work because the unit is designed to be fitted to a steering wheel and is hinged so you have to be able to move it forwards and backwards to access some of the controls.
in that case you need to find somebody who can interface a Raspberry Pi (or whatever it's called) with a control unit. smile

r5kdt

507 posts

214 months

Friday 14th June 2019
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Have a look at Pete C on youtube he fitted cruise into a 1972 Cortina GXL and made it look ver OEM. i think this is the episode that shows what was involved... but if not its the one after
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErq5bM4h7U

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Friday 14th June 2019
quotequote all
r5kdt said:
Have a look at Pete C on youtube he fitted cruise into a 1972 Cortina GXL and made it look ver OEM. i think this is the episode that shows what was involved... but if not its the one after
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YErq5bM4h7U
That looks fantastic. IF I could get that to work I could have a set button made to match all of the other switches and set it in the gear shifter where modern autos have their lock buttons. That would look very neat. Will speak to the restorer thanks!

Ambleton

7,253 posts

221 months

Friday 14th June 2019
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Can be had at most builders merchants and garden centres etc for between 20p and 60p.

sorry, couldn't resist hehe

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Friday 14th June 2019
quotequote all
Ambleton said:


Can be had at most builders merchants and garden centres etc for between 20p and 60p.

sorry, couldn't resist hehe
hehe

DonkeyApple

69,551 posts

198 months

Friday 14th June 2019
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If I wasn’t resto-modding a Suffix A Rangie then the XJ Coupe would be my next choice. Is there a link to the build thread?

For cruise control on my Rangie I’ve taken a system from a Disco and were using an old Merc cruise control stalk as it’s the same profile and design as the early Rangie stalks.

Are you sticking with carbs or using a modern ECU?

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Friday 14th June 2019
quotequote all
DonkeyApple said:
If I wasn’t resto-modding a Suffix A Rangie then the XJ Coupe would be my next choice. Is there a link to the build thread?

For cruise control on my Rangie I’ve taken a system from a Disco and were using an old Merc cruise control stalk as it’s the same profile and design as the early Rangie stalks.

Are you sticking with carbs or using a modern ECU?
The car wasn’t carbs to start with it was efi on the v12. Mine now has a late 6,0 v12 in it from an XJS though and a 4 speed box. The build thread can be found here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

DonkeyApple

69,551 posts

198 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
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craigjm said:
The car wasn’t carbs to start with it was efi on the v12. Mine now has a late 6,0 v12 in it from an XJS though and a 4 speed box. The build thread can be found here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
An excellent read. Mildly biased towards wheels than cars though!!! biggrin

I’m assuming the XJS engine that you have used a vacuum system for cruise control just like the Rangie of that era?

They always either perish and get a leak or the transistors in them pop.

I’d also guess that it was a Hella system and used on many different cars. May even be the same unit as in the Rangies?

What’s your specific issue?

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
quotequote all
DonkeyApple said:
craigjm said:
The car wasn’t carbs to start with it was efi on the v12. Mine now has a late 6,0 v12 in it from an XJS though and a 4 speed box. The build thread can be found here

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
An excellent read. Mildly biased towards wheels than cars though!!! biggrin

I’m assuming the XJS engine that you have used a vacuum system for cruise control just like the Rangie of that era?

They always either perish and get a leak or the transistors in them pop.

I’d also guess that it was a Hella system and used on many different cars. May even be the same unit as in the Rangies?

What’s your specific issue?
Well the engine didn’t come with a system and the original car never had it. The original Jag system is no longer available so I was looking to see what’s out there. The universal systems all look too modern in the way they are controlled

DonkeyApple

69,551 posts

198 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
quotequote all
The switching of a system is changeable. The Hella system for example from that era was used in all sorts of cars that used different controls either on the wheel or a stalk.

I agree that the modern aftermarket switchgear is terrible Barry stuff and I wouldn’t go near it either.

In my case, I’ve taken the system from a Disco as I’m running Disco engine management but the Disco has steering wheel controls and we will be rewiring that switching system to an early Merc cruise co trim stalk that has the same profile as the 70’s Rangie stalks and re-engraving them.

What I’m trying to say is that you should think of the project as two separate parts. The cruise control part and the switchgear part.

As an aside I’m guessing that if your era of car used a Hella vacuum system they probably fittednit in the V so they are slowly cooked and perished?

I would find the part number for the Jag system that did fit your engine and ECU and Id wager you’ll find the same system elsewhere and just need the original Jag pedal box and cc bracketry.

Doofus

34,279 posts

202 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
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What's wrong with aftermarket stuff?

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
quotequote all
Doofus said:
What's wrong with aftermarket stuff?
Ugly controllers as I said in the opening post

Doofus

34,279 posts

202 months

Saturday 15th June 2019
quotequote all
craigjm said:
Doofus said:
What's wrong with aftermarket stuff?
Ugly controllers as I said in the opening post
Oh, is that all? I still reckon it would be fairly straightforward for an electrical expert to pull the switch box to bits and integrate it into a classic's dashboard.

bodmino

87 posts

154 months

Thursday 20th June 2019
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A company called Bridgwater Electronics supplies an aftermarket system. I have been in correspondence recently, but not yet purchased. For road speed input they can supply a satellite pick up option.

https://www.bridgwater-electronics.co.uk/cruise-co...

craigjm

Original Poster:

21,378 posts

229 months

Thursday 20th June 2019
quotequote all
bodmino said:
A company called Bridgwater Electronics supplies an aftermarket system. I have been in correspondence recently, but not yet purchased. For road speed input they can supply a satellite pick up option.

https://www.bridgwater-electronics.co.uk/cruise-co...
I’ve already got one of those units because it’s actually the John Gold Dutch unit mentioned above. The controllers are awful. Look like something off a 1990s Korean car and that’s the look I want to avoid.