After Market Cruise Control: What's available in 2016

[weswsimpson]

I had a fiat 124 spider that had a cable actuated hand throttle. When you reached a cruising speed on the highway, you pulled the cable out, give a quarter turn and it locked in place. Not high tech... but it worked driving in Ohio.

[OddN]

[djkeev]

[jimf909]

[16CVs]

[jimf909]

^^^ Good point on the CLAK. I can hear My Rostra and it's in the engine bay (unlike the GW Rostra). Now I'm in the habit of putting my foot on the accelerator pedal when releasing the CC which minimizes the CLAK.

Regardless, adding the CC has been one of my favorite mods. I use it often, both for setting speed on stretches of 25 mph road or on the highway. It works consistently and holds the speed well. Just don't expect it to take the throttle from say, 35% to 85% as your foot would do when climbing a hill. It'll either slow down or release completely and ask the human to take over.
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- Jim

[minnisp]

I was working on a list of rostra parts actually needed. The base unit is $167 but that doesn't include a switch. add the switch and the vss mag kit, and the clutch disengagement kit and it's $292.00 for manual (amazon). I think to install rostra (for later vans) it's more labor intensive, but without the gowesty install instructions i'm still not sure. I will ask gowesty for the install doc and see if they will send them. if i get them i'll try to post them..
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1989 GL 2.1 WBX Manual

[djkeev]

[T3 Pilot]

[Fuzzyip]

I bought the gowesty cruise control and westy werks is installing it this week. I will let you all know how it is.

[oldskewlsk8ter]

Im using a vss that Jeff (jrobewesty) supplied with my suby harness. I'm currently in the middle of hooking up the rostra universal unit, and while it isn't a stock wbx, there's no reason you couldn't use the same vss found in this thread http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=613930&highlight=vss
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1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project

[oldskewlsk8ter]

Placeholder for a pic of how I have the vss mounted...I'm about to run some wires from the dash to the rear for the controls and I'll snap a pic when I do.
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1986 Hightop w/EJ25 DOHC & 4EAT auto
1965 Kombi project

[minnisp]

T3Pilot, I always do everything i can to avoid having to return a product. Product returns cost both parties. it's a lose-lose. the Gowesty kit costs $400 (for manual). There's no better way to know if that cruise kit is what i want then to look at the instructions. The instructions are useless without the kit. If i like the installation design, i'll buy it, and possibly pay a lot more for the kit than a kit with crappy instructions, or a vendor that refuses to send the instructions. Otherwise, if the gowesty design isn't one i like or i don't think it will work very well, I'll buy something else. I've never had a vendor say no you can't have the instructions. They don't want people to return products either. If they have the instructions available where the sales staff can send them without too much trouble they will gladly provide them. I have found gowesty to be a very good, very cooperative vendor. I'll post here if the instructions are available (prior to purchase). That might be helpful to someone considering the gowesty kit.

Pierre
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1989 GL 2.1 WBX Manual

[djkeev]

Agree, just as Rostra puts theirs online for all to read, print and yes copy.

Once someone installs one GW kit and takes a photo, there aren't any secrets.

The GW market hook is offering an off the shelf plug and play kit. If I had No skills, I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[minnisp]

Gowesty sent me the installation instructions. The answer was "Hi Pierre,
Here are the instructions " 

If you're interested the gowesty option, and in how the install works, just ask them for a copy. Or you can ask me. I'll send you a copy.
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1989 GL 2.1 WBX Manual

[djkeev]

Ok, I've decided to forge head with installing a cruise control. I Will also be hooking it up to the gas pedal linkage in the front. Doing this gives me full auto trans kick down function, plus it's easier ......... I think. No linkage hookups on the engine itself.

*************
Once I get my components I will create a separate build thread that I will link to this thread.
Keep this thread as a "what's available?" And an idea thread, not a "how to" thread.

*************

As a bonus, The gas pedal hookup should work for any Van with ANY engine and any transmission in it.

My list provides Amazon links but that's to show you my product choices, Some of this I'm getting locally at my FLAPS.

So...... I've ordered the Rostra Cruise Control universal kit. 250-1223

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B007ZCQD9S/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I ordered the dash mounted control switch 250-3593

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001YAI778/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The dash mount switch was a personal choice but I've read very good things about the wireless RF control switch that you can mount on the steering wheel or on the steering column. 250-1483

https://www.amazon.com/Rostra-Wireless-Cruise-Cont...NH0N4ZTX22

I also ordered the magnetic axle signal pickup kit. There are other options that I believe to be better but this was my choice given my time frame, availability and budget right now. 250-4165

https://www.amazon.com/250-4165-Magnetic-Generator...Y7N73H0FAG

To connect power to the fuse panel I'm going stupid simple. I've added wires to the fuse panel for other accessories already so I'm just going to tap into an extra unused fuse right now with this Bussman (or Littlefuse) ATC Fuse Tap. Again, no cutting of, or tapping into factory wires.

https://www.amazon.com/Circuit-ATC-Piggy-Standard-Holder/dp/B009K6U582

To deactivate the system, Rostra asks that you tap into the brake lights. Disliking hacking into factory wires as I do, I'm going to add a brake light/ cruise control switch mounted at the brake pedal. This way I can also gently tap the pedal and disengage the cruise without illuminating the brake lights.
This is the switch I will use.....
ACDelco 22712549 GM Original Equipment Brake Light and Cruise Control Release Switch

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search...__________


Dave
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Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[djkeev]

I find it interesting how GoWesty chose to fasten the inner steel cable to the metal fan shroud and then utilize the outer cable sheath as their activator hookup to the gas pedal linkage.

As the unit pulls back on the inner cable to pull the gas pedal, they are using that pulling action to instead pull the outer sheathing forward by immoobilizing the inner cable and allowing the outer sheathing to "float".

👍
Say what you want to about GW...... But they've got some clever out of the box thinkers on their team!
This is a concept that I never would have come up with!
They are an asset to the hobby!

Dave
_________________
Stop Dead Photo Links how to post photos

Ghia
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=392473

Vanagon
http://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?p=6315537#6315537

Beetle
https://www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=482968&highlight=74+super+vert

[minnisp]

a couple of other notes. Gowesty sells a lot of their components separately so you can use them with stock or other cruise installations. The VSS sensor is $29.00, which is a lot cheaper than the Rostra mag setup (if you have a later van) and a lot easier to install. Their brake and clutch pedal disengagement switches are also for sale as separate items.
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1989 GL 2.1 WBX Manual

[djkeev]

[Abscate]

Im going to push you, Dave - but maybe in a way you won't like.

Trash this idea.

Alter your driving habits to take a break every 60-90 minutes, get out, stretch, breathe in the air, pull over somewhere with a view.

I do this when I accidentally rent a cheap car on business in the Midwest and have to drive from IND to IOWA CITY in a SmartCar. I find having to control the speed much less annoying in 1-2 hour legs.

FWIW (meant to help, seriously)
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.ssS!