Adding Cruise control?

[Bottomlesspit]

I am hoping some of you might have experience with add-on cruise control setups.
My wife has to drive my Explorer a few times a year and, due to a physical condition, could really use cruise control. Unfortunately, my poor XLS did not come equiped with such device.
Can one be added without too much trouble?
Stock Ford? Aftermarket? We are not too concerned so much about having to have stock controls, just something that works and is not too much of a hassle to install.
I see kits in the JC Whitney catalog all the time, but have never tried to install one.
Any info, tips, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Another concern is my steering wheel is just a standard, non cruise, non leather el'cheapo. I'd love a nice leather one, but figure the air bag might cause problems.
Anyone?
Thanks,
Ken

 

[section525]

The easiest way to go would be stock. If I remember right, most of the internal steering column stuff is already there.. you just gotta plug the other stuff into it.

I remember reading a good lengthy thread about installing the stock system in a non-cc explorer. Did you try searching for this yet?

 

[section525]

OKay.. so it wasn't lengthy.. but theres good enough and good contacts.

http://www.explorerforum.com/forums/showthread.php?threadid=29261&highlight=cruise+control

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Thanks for providing the thread link. That is some good info, and might help me out. Does not seem too hard. I am just a bit confused about the steering wheel stuff. I don't understand whether I can buy a replacement leather wrapped wheel with CC buttons and hook it all up, or would I have to use my existing non cc wheel and add stuff to it. The airbag fitment is also part of the issue.
If anybody has any helpful info here...please feel to post. Thanks again, real helpful info.
Ken

 

[Okrazie1]

You reuse the steering wheel you have. The controls attach to the existing wheel (to the frame of the wheel, underneath the airbag), and a new back shroud is supplied to clear the controls. It ends up looking like this:

DISCLAIMER: Before anyone jumps in here and starts to say I'm wrong and don't know what I'm talking about, this is an actual installation of an actual Ford cruise control kit in an actual Explorer actually owned by me.

(The above comment is not directed to those who have already participated in this thread)

 

[BBQ_HotDogs]

DISCLAIMER: Before anyone jumps in here and starts to say I'm wrong and don't know what I'm talking about, this is an actual installation of an actual Ford cruise control kit in an actual Explorer actually owned by me.

ROFL, was I "actually" suppose to read your disclaimer? Too funny.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Okrazie1,
Thanks for the info. I read your install thread and got some good info from it.
The main deal for me....dang, I DON"T want to use my old steering wheel! I was hoping for a nice new one that is leather wrapped, not this ugly hard plastic one I am blessed with! I can go either way, but leather would be better. I have one of those slip on leather things now, but rather have a nice solid wrapped wheel.
Your cruise buttons and all look factory so that is a great deal for me. Thanks again for all the help.
One last thing...you mention that the wire harness was already there. Where exactly is it? How could I look and see if mine is there? What to look for? Since I have and XLS model I don't assume anything until I see it!
Thanks again!
Ken

 

[Okrazie1]

If the wiring for the cruise is already there, you should see a plug up against the inner fender wall just behind the washer fluid tank, in the area where the servo mounts. I wish I had noticed the wiring was already there before I had run the new harness in .

FWIW, I installed the leather wrap on my wheel. I think I paid about $15 for it at Pep Boys.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

Hey, thanks again. I'll look for the plug as soon as I can get out there and get under the truck!
What about the wires/plugs for the steering column? Were there wires already behind the steering wheel to hook the switches up to, or is that part of the new harness that comes with the kit?
You are helping me a bunch, I appreciate it.
Ken

 

[Okrazie1]

If the wiring is already there, then all you should have to do is plug the cruise switches into the clockspring assembly. If the wiring is not there, then you have to change the clockspring assembly, and there are various harnesses you have to run. The instructions that came with the kit were very thorough, and easy to follow.

 

[Bottomlesspit]

So far, so good. I found the harness and plug on the fender, just like you said. At least that part is there, I just hope the "other end" is installed somewhere.
This may sound dumb, but what is this clockspring assembly? I know it goes with the steering wheel, but that's as far as I can figure out. I figure the kit and instructions will be great, I'm just trying to get a handle on what to expect. My wife really wants the cruise control. I don't really ever use it!
Again, thanks for all the info.
Ken

 

[Okrazie1]

The clockspring assembly mounts behind and rotates with the steering wheel. It allows the airbag, horn switch, and cruise control switches to maintain electrical connection when the wheel is rotated.