Hi Guys

I am a new to this, so apologies if this subject has been covered already but I couldn’t find my answer on the forum. So I am hoping some of you experts out there may have some answers for me.

I am looking at buying a DIY cruise control kit but have no idea which I should get, or where to get it from. I have seen the AP60 on ebay for about $260 and the AP150 for $390. Are these models any good? What about the AP300 – vacuum powered? How does the vacuum power help.

Are there any better models out there from other retailer?
I live in Adelaide if anyone knows where to buy a kit from or installers.

I own a 1997 magna TF 3Lt v6 automatic.

Thanks for your help.

I once fitted an after-market cruise unit to a TP auto. It was an "AP" brand, no idea now what the model number was.
Was bought at K-Mart, after a mate in Melb reported they were quite worthwhile.

These kits tap into a vacuum line under the bonnet, the vacuum is used to power the "motor" which pulls on the accellerator cable. There is nothing magical or special about the vacuum power, its just an easy way for the kit to use a source of power to operate the unit.

Installation is DIY, but can be quite lengthy - several hours at least. There is a small magnet which is secured to a drive-shaft with wire clips, and a sensor which must be mounted in close proximity to the magnet..... so a fair bit of ingenuity is required to rig-up this bracket and a place to mount it. Same way, the mounting of the vacuum booster/cannister needs brackets made/adapted so the cruise cable can pull against the throttle butterfly.

If you have few tools and no real workshop, it might be a challenge - some basic stuff comes in the kit, but there is no saying that the brackets etc they include will be suitable for your car - its a generic kit that can attach to just about anything (autos being easier, as no need for clutch switch and wiring).

My unit worked well, and due to design of TP dash, the rudimentary control panel fitted in the cabin fairly well. More modern versions of these kits have a much better looking control panel, as I recall.

Hey dude,

Your best bet is to install a factory cruise control unit. There are a few things involved but its not too hard really. It's a day job. Best thing is if anything goes wrong with it, a mits dealer will be able to use a diagnostics unit on it to retreive an error code as its a factory unit.

The process involves:

- Removing the dash (this is the big one)
- Removing the stock dash harness
- Removing the horn pad (and steering wheel if you have SRS)
- Removing the cluster surround, replacing with one that has a cruise control switch
- Installing a higher spec dash harness with cruise control support
- If you have SRS, removing and installing a new clock spring with cruise support
- Installing the cruise stalk on the steering wheel, plugging into new dash harness (or clock spring if you have SRS)
- Installing a vacuum pump in the engine bay (wiring is already there for this)
- Installing a cruise control throttle body and attaching the vacuum line
- Installing the cruise control ECU
- Reassembly of dash/steering wheel

Cruise control kits pop up occasionally in the for sale section, I do have a couple of parts available if you are interested (TF Dash Harness and Cruise Control ECU)

Thanks for the information phil it is very useful. I appreciate you taking the time to reply.

Thanks for the information. From your description it sounds quite tricky. I will contact my dealer and find out how much the kit is and to fit. I imagin it wont be cheap.
Hey dude,

Your best bet is to install a factory cruise control unit. There are a few things involved but its not too hard really. It's a day job. Best thing is if anything goes wrong with it, a mits dealer will be able to use a diagnostics unit on it to retreive an error code as its a factory unit.

The process involves:

- Removing the dash (this is the big one)
- Removing the stock dash harness
- Removing the horn pad (and steering wheel if you have SRS)
- Removing the cluster surround, replacing with one that has a cruise control switch
- Installing a higher spec dash harness with cruise control support
- If you have SRS, removing and installing a new clock spring with cruise support
- Installing the cruise stalk on the steering wheel, plugging into new dash harness (or clock spring if you have SRS)
- Installing a vacuum pump in the engine bay (wiring is already there for this)
- Installing a cruise control throttle body and attaching the vacuum line
- Installing the cruise control ECU
- Reassembly of dash/steering wheel

Cruise control kits pop up occasionally in the for sale section, I do have a couple of parts available if you are interested (TF Dash Harness and Cruise Control ECU)

I fitted a AP50 cruise control unit to my TE 4 weeks ago, easy job took me about 4 hrs taking it easy, also didnt use the magnets for speed pickup, i connected into the speedo pulse wire and cut the black wire on the control box and it works a charm.From what i have read on the net ,the magnets coming off are the only part of the kit that gives problems.I wouldn't think twice about installing another as they work well.I also bought mine on ebay.

Thanks for the information. From your description it sounds quite tricky. I will contact my dealer and find out how much the kit is and to fit. I imagin it wont be cheap.

'Kits' for factory cruise don't actually exist as such; they're only kits because somebody has acquired all the necessary parts and is selling them together. Your best bet is to get all the parts from a wrecker. A dealer might fit it for you but it'd be so much cheaper (and not to mention more educational) to get somebody from AMC who's done it before to show you how.

I fitted a AP50 cruise control unit to my TE 4 weeks ago, easy job took me about 4 hrs taking it easy, also didnt use the magnets for speed pickup, i connected into the speedo pulse wire and cut the black wire on the control box and it works a charm.From what i have read on the net ,the magnets coming off are the only part of the kit that gives problems.I wouldn't think twice about installing another as they work well.I also bought mine on ebay.
Thanks dixie265. That sounds promising doing it in four hours. I’ll have to take a closer look at the AP range.

Has anyone else used the AP range of cruise control? Are the more expensive ones worth the extra money? From reliability and accuracy?

'Kits' for factory cruise don't actually exist as such; they're only kits because somebody has acquired all the necessary parts and is selling them together. Your best bet is to get all the parts from a wrecker. A dealer might fit it for you but it'd be so much cheaper (and not to mention more educational) to get somebody from AMC who's done it before to show you how.

If I got one from a wrecker would I have to look at TE magna’s or could I take one from another model that model comes with cruise as standard. Do you know which models have it as standard?

I’m worried if I buy one from a wrecker it may be broken and I wouldn’t know until I fit it.

How much do you think would be the going price from a wrecker?

As far as I know the cruise systems are the same on all models - I could be wrong though so please don't rely on that information. There are a number of parts you'd need from the wrecker - there's a list (and some more useful info) in this thread. (http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showthread.php?t=72869&highlight=cruise+control+kit) Easily found by doing a search.


Brake Pedal Switch
Clutch Pedal Switch (if manual)
Main Harness
Dash Harness
Engine Harness
Vac Pump
Throttle Body
Vac pump Line
Steerinbg wheel backing
Crusie Switch
If TF or earlier, the switch behind the dash facia and the dash facia it self

So there's your answer about the TE - you will need a dash surround and cruise switch too.

thanks Slim. I will contact my nearset wreckers. How much do you want for your Dash harness and ECU?

Sorry but they are not the same on all models

The TH onwards uses a totally different system for starters

On the TF, you will need
Engine harness
Main Dash harness
Top dash harness
Cruise ECU
Steering wheel backing cover
Cruise switch
Clock spring
Cluster Surround
Vac pump
Line

The wiring in the engine bay is all there, internally it is not. If you can get the correct harness it is a good oppertunity to also upgrade to power windows if you want to or even go all out and convert to climate control

I can provide all the TF parts you need for the above for $250, the job is a "biggish" one but then again if you have a spare weekend with a mate you can do it no worries. I can knock this off in about 7 hours on my own including all the wiring changes.

I will need to check my stock but if I am missing a few bits I can get them east enough

BTW, when someone puts together some parts to acheive a conversion, upgrade etc it is classified as a kit.

thanks Slim. I will contact my nearset wreckers. How much do you want for your Dash harness and ECU?

Pay for postage and you can have the cruise ecu/dash harness mate. Mal should be able to provide the rest.

Question for Mal - Does the exec engine harness for the TE/TF's include the cruise vac pump plugs? I know my TH exec did.

Also the top dash harness/main dash harness are seperated in your list - From the one you sent me a while ago it seems the dash harness from TE-TJ1 does everything? (ie. ECU, BEM, Cluster, Radio, etc...) - What is included in the "top" harness, is it a smaller harness that plugs in to the junction box?

G Day D265,

I have the AP60 looking at fitting in a TJ, in the instructions it says I can connect it to a speed pulse generator is the same as a speed sensor. I have two wires from the control box and two from the speed sensor (one to the fuse and other to the speedo, what do I connect to what, additionally where didyou source your vacuum from.

Thx if u reply!

The speed signal wire is located under the drivers side dash between left leg and console in the diagnostic plug. The wire is white with a blue trace.