adding cruise control to a car it wasnt equipped on - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

tastyratz · 07-04-2006, 10:35 PM

Well I know alot of you dont care and ditch it, but me... I would really like cruise control. I do alot of driving at night when theres nobody else on the road on roads theres lots of cops and find myself with a lead foot. Its alot easier for me to not get a ticket if I just set and forget the speed... especially when im tired.
My car never came with cruise control - has anyone here tried retro-ing cruise control into a car that it was never equipped??? is it something I would expect tons of work??
I know I would need the cruise control wheel, the cruise throttle body (have) the engine bay cruise unit with the throttle cable attached.... anything else? relays switches etc?

projekt_s13 · 07-04-2006, 10:56 PM

There is a kit sold at kragen, i donno the name tho

tastyratz · 07-04-2006, 11:03 PM

yea I know theres the universal kits like audiovox... but I wonder how hard it is to just put the stock system in. I dont care if it goes in 100% stock so nobody can tell... I just want it there.

Ruby240 · 12-03-2006, 03:41 PM

Any follow up on this? My Ruby car was totaled by a deer, and I'm picking up another base model. It doesn't have cruise and I want to add the OEM system to that car.

I figured since all S14's are wired the same wether they are Base or SE models, it should be all plug and play, but thats only what I've heard.

Also, I want to convert the manual door locks to power door locks. Again, I have an entire good parts car to transfer all of this suff over to. I just need to know for sure if it is all plug and play.

sittinsideways · 12-03-2006, 07:20 PM

do u know if s13s are wired like that? cuz if so that would be nice. my manual door doesnt lock and a spring is caught on the manual window cable so i cant roll it down if i want it to go back up. and i have some auto doors in my garage.

g6civcx · 12-03-2006, 08:18 PM

If you want to use the stock system, you'll also need the cruise ECU and wiring harness.

Check the FSM for specifics.

Ruby240 · 12-04-2006, 02:36 AM

The cruise ECU is no biggie, as I have a complete car I'll be doing the swap from. Shouldn't all of the wiring be there already?

Don't have a clue about S13's though, never have cared for that body style.

projectRDM · 12-04-2006, 08:14 AM

No. Base model cars are NOT prewired. I've stripped enough of them to know that.

For S13s you'll need the entire underhood harness, as well as the full body harness (S13s don't have separate interior harnesses).

For S14, you'll need the dash harness only. The ASCD plugs are wired in on the engine harness, but nowhere else.

Then you'll need:

ASCD control unit
ASCD pump
ASCD actuator
cruise main switch
clutch cancel switch
brake cancel swith
steering wheel with control switch

Honestly, it's not worth doing. The aftermarket Audiovox kits are made by Rostra, the newest version (250-1316 IIRC) is an electronic self contained unit and it works just as good as OE, I used to install them for several years working at a dealer accessories wholesaler. Very easy wiring, power, ground, VSS, tach, and brake switch, then plug the control stalk (250-3521) in to it. I figure I could install one now (with the experience) in under 30 minutes, whereas a harness swap with OE parts is an all day job easily. Plus, unless you're pulling from a parts car the harnesses aren't that easy to come by, and the year/transmission will matter also, since there's several changeovers between them.

Ruby240 · 12-05-2006, 01:31 AM

Is it the entire dash harness that has to be changed, or does the cruise harness plug into the dash harness?

To you it may not be worth doing. To me someone who is very anal about their cars it is worth doing. As I like things to look factory (except for some things like Stereo and mods) and work the same. An aftermarket setup with their control switch just looks bad IMO. And like I said, I have an entire parts car. The trans isn't a big issue since the car will be getting converted from an Auto to a 5-speed from my parts car anyway.

projectRDM · 12-05-2006, 05:49 PM

Good reading.

There is no cruise subharness, so the entire dash harness needs to be swapped. If the two cars differ in any way, you'll have changes in the harness, like the radio, cluster, transmission, power locks, keyless entry, etc.

I never said to me it wasn't worth doing, I said to you, the common 240 owner, it's not worth doing. 99.9% of these kids wouldn't dream to try that kind of labor for something not daily used, especially when it can be done aftermarket in 20 minutes by a pro. If you're different than that, you're one of the very select few.

Ruby240 · 12-10-2006, 03:16 PM

Gotcha R240. I appreciate the follow-up, and seems right now I'm pretty much getting shafted by the owner of the car I was going to go and pick up. Screw him.

I think I can get my car fixed for a reasonable price (even with the rebuilt title), the car will be worth it to me, as I love the car. Just have to get a new core put in, drivers fender, radiator, hood, headlights, and bumper. As I'll be doing all of the work myself, except for the new core this all shouldn't be a problem. I can run for a little while w/o paint, I can live with that.

projectRDM · 12-10-2006, 05:25 PM

You can bolt the core support in. Mine is done that way, the bumper support and TC rod brackets secure the bottom, whereas the headlights and fenders hold the top.

It's not a structural part of the car.

Ruby240 · 12-11-2006, 03:07 AM

Uhh.... So you're telling me that the front core is bolt on?! I didn't know that!! I thought it was a weld-in job like my Mustang and CRX. Holy chit.

projectRDM · 12-11-2006, 08:02 AM

No, it is welded from the factory, but it can be just bolted back in if you want when replaced. Makes removing the engine easy as pie too, just drag it right out the front instead of lifting it up over the top.

Ruby240 · 12-12-2006, 02:37 AM

Gotcha! Where are the best places to use the bolts to hold it into place? Got any pictures of a bolted in core support?

projectRDM · 12-12-2006, 08:03 AM

As mentioned above, from the bottom the TC rod brackets will anchor it in place, there's a pinhole in the bottom that lines up with a matching hole in the frame rail, use a nailset/punch to set it in place then tighten the bolts down. Higher up, the bumper support bolts run through the core support and into a weldnut on the frame rail.
Up top, the fenders will be enough to hold it as the forward mounting bolts sit in the core support.

Ruby240 · 12-13-2006, 03:44 AM

Sounds good. The 240 should be comming back to the house today via the rollback. I'm gonna start taking stuff off to see how much or what exactly needs replaced. If I have to replace the core support, I'm gonna take pictures of the process for a write-up, so that others in this situation can get a good idea of what they are getting into.

RyanA96 · 12-13-2006, 02:55 PM

I have everything but the wiring that I just took off cause I didn't need it.

I even have the steering wheel with the buttons.

Let me know...

nsn240 · 12-14-2006, 09:16 AM

this sounds rediculous... but i was just gonna run a "second" throttle cable (i have an sr, so just use the ka CC cable) and have something where you could clamp the cable, to hold it at whatever throttle.... since cruising on the highway is only ~14% throttle anyways

cheap.. but you know itll work

07-04-2006, 10:35 PM	#1
tastyratz Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: nh Posts: 995 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	adding cruise control to a car it wasnt equipped on Well I know alot of you dont care and ditch it, but me... I would really like cruise control. I do alot of driving at night when theres nobody else on the road on roads theres lots of cops and find myself with a lead foot. Its alot easier for me to not get a ticket if I just set and forget the speed... especially when im tired. My car never came with cruise control - has anyone here tried retro-ing cruise control into a car that it was never equipped??? is it something I would expect tons of work?? I know I would need the cruise control wheel, the cruise throttle body (have) the engine bay cruise unit with the throttle cable attached.... anything else? relays switches etc? __________________

07-04-2006, 10:56 PM	#2
projekt_s13 Post Whore! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chico/Pittsburg, CA Age: 39 Posts: 2,801 Trader Rating: (5) Rides Gallery: projekt_s13 Feedback Score: 5 reviews	There is a kit sold at kragen, i donno the name tho __________________

07-04-2006, 11:03 PM	#3
tastyratz Zilvia Addict Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: nh Posts: 995 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	yea I know theres the universal kits like audiovox... but I wonder how hard it is to just put the stock system in. I dont care if it goes in 100% stock so nobody can tell... I just want it there. __________________

12-03-2006, 03:41 PM	#4
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Any follow up on this? My Ruby car was totaled by a deer, and I'm picking up another base model. It doesn't have cruise and I want to add the OEM system to that car. I figured since all S14's are wired the same wether they are Base or SE models, it should be all plug and play, but thats only what I've heard. Also, I want to convert the manual door locks to power door locks. Again, I have an entire good parts car to transfer all of this suff over to. I just need to know for sure if it is all plug and play. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-03-2006, 07:20 PM	#5
sittinsideways Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: CT Posts: 377 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	do u know if s13s are wired like that? cuz if so that would be nice. my manual door doesnt lock and a spring is caught on the manual window cable so i cant roll it down if i want it to go back up. and i have some auto doors in my garage. __________________ Project S14 Begins...

12-03-2006, 08:18 PM	#6
g6civcx Post Whore! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Virginia, USA Posts: 5,764 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	If you want to use the stock system, you'll also need the cruise ECU and wiring harness. Check the FSM for specifics.

12-04-2006, 02:36 AM	#7
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	The cruise ECU is no biggie, as I have a complete car I'll be doing the swap from. Shouldn't all of the wiring be there already? Don't have a clue about S13's though, never have cared for that body style. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-04-2006, 08:14 AM	#8
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	No. Base model cars are NOT prewired. I've stripped enough of them to know that. For S13s you'll need the entire underhood harness, as well as the full body harness (S13s don't have separate interior harnesses). For S14, you'll need the dash harness only. The ASCD plugs are wired in on the engine harness, but nowhere else. Then you'll need: ASCD control unit ASCD pump ASCD actuator cruise main switch clutch cancel switch brake cancel swith steering wheel with control switch Honestly, it's not worth doing. The aftermarket Audiovox kits are made by Rostra, the newest version (250-1316 IIRC) is an electronic self contained unit and it works just as good as OE, I used to install them for several years working at a dealer accessories wholesaler. Very easy wiring, power, ground, VSS, tach, and brake switch, then plug the control stalk (250-3521) in to it. I figure I could install one now (with the experience) in under 30 minutes, whereas a harness swap with OE parts is an all day job easily. Plus, unless you're pulling from a parts car the harnesses aren't that easy to come by, and the year/transmission will matter also, since there's several changeovers between them.

12-05-2006, 01:31 AM	#9
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Is it the entire dash harness that has to be changed, or does the cruise harness plug into the dash harness? To you it may not be worth doing. To me someone who is very anal about their cars it is worth doing. As I like things to look factory (except for some things like Stereo and mods) and work the same. An aftermarket setup with their control switch just looks bad IMO. And like I said, I have an entire parts car. The trans isn't a big issue since the car will be getting converted from an Auto to a 5-speed from my parts car anyway. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-05-2006, 05:49 PM	#10
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	Good reading. There is no cruise subharness, so the entire dash harness needs to be swapped. If the two cars differ in any way, you'll have changes in the harness, like the radio, cluster, transmission, power locks, keyless entry, etc. I never said to me it wasn't worth doing, I said to you, the common 240 owner, it's not worth doing. 99.9% of these kids wouldn't dream to try that kind of labor for something not daily used, especially when it can be done aftermarket in 20 minutes by a pro. If you're different than that, you're one of the very select few.

12-10-2006, 03:16 PM	#11
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Gotcha R240. I appreciate the follow-up, and seems right now I'm pretty much getting shafted by the owner of the car I was going to go and pick up. Screw him. I think I can get my car fixed for a reasonable price (even with the rebuilt title), the car will be worth it to me, as I love the car. Just have to get a new core put in, drivers fender, radiator, hood, headlights, and bumper. As I'll be doing all of the work myself, except for the new core this all shouldn't be a problem. I can run for a little while w/o paint, I can live with that. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-10-2006, 05:25 PM	#12
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	You can bolt the core support in. Mine is done that way, the bumper support and TC rod brackets secure the bottom, whereas the headlights and fenders hold the top. It's not a structural part of the car.

12-11-2006, 03:07 AM	#13
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Uhh.... So you're telling me that the front core is bolt on?! I didn't know that!! I thought it was a weld-in job like my Mustang and CRX. Holy chit. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-11-2006, 08:02 AM	#14
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	No, it is welded from the factory, but it can be just bolted back in if you want when replaced. Makes removing the engine easy as pie too, just drag it right out the front instead of lifting it up over the top.

12-12-2006, 02:37 AM	#15
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Gotcha! Where are the best places to use the bolts to hold it into place? Got any pictures of a bolted in core support? __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-12-2006, 08:03 AM	#16
projectRDM Post Whore! Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Atlanta Age: 51 Posts: 13,812 Trader Rating: (12) Feedback Score: 12 reviews	As mentioned above, from the bottom the TC rod brackets will anchor it in place, there's a pinhole in the bottom that lines up with a matching hole in the frame rail, use a nailset/punch to set it in place then tighten the bolts down. Higher up, the bumper support bolts run through the core support and into a weldnut on the frame rail. Up top, the fenders will be enough to hold it as the forward mounting bolts sit in the core support.

12-13-2006, 03:44 AM	#17
Ruby240 Leaky Injector Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Surrounded by Retards Age: 47 Posts: 144 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	Sounds good. The 240 should be comming back to the house today via the rollback. I'm gonna start taking stuff off to see how much or what exactly needs replaced. If I have to replace the core support, I'm gonna take pictures of the process for a write-up, so that others in this situation can get a good idea of what they are getting into. __________________ I like beer much the same way as I do cars and women. Light, easy to go down, and preferbly domestic, but now and again an Import is alright.

12-13-2006, 02:55 PM	#18
RyanA96 Zilvia Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Buffalo,NY Age: 38 Posts: 175 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I have everything but the wiring that I just took off cause I didn't need it. I even have the steering wheel with the buttons. Let me know...

12-14-2006, 09:16 AM	#19
nsn240 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: pa Posts: 642 Trader Rating: (1) Feedback Score: 1 reviews	this sounds rediculous... but i was just gonna run a "second" throttle cable (i have an sr, so just use the ka CC cable) and have something where you could clamp the cable, to hold it at whatever throttle.... since cruising on the highway is only ~14% throttle anyways cheap.. but you know itll work