So yea my 00 xlt has no cruise. I know there are over priced aftermarket kits available but I'd prefer to have that factory look. Anyone ever done this? I took a quick gander at the b 3000 I had to steal the timing cover from when I food my heads (another interesting ghost story) seems simple enough. Biggest pain would be replacing the wiring harness as I didn't see a plug on mine like there was on the Mazda. Also the steering wheel....I wonder would I need a new one or if the buttons could be mounted to the current one? Anyone ever tried this? Is it simple plug and play or no?

 

3rd party would be easier

Cruise has just 3 parts but multiple wires
1. Actuator is in the engine bay and is what pulls the throttle open, it uses engine vacuum.
2. Amplifier is what "they" call the Brains of the Cruise, it connects to drivers controller and actuator
3. Control buttons, drivers interface to control the system.

1. and 2. are often combined on some systems

Connections that are needed
Vacuum release, vacuum dump valve in cab on brake pedal rod, this is a backup system, it doesn't shut off cruise control but it releases vacuum in actuator so releases throttle, in case brake light switch fails to do so.
Brake light wire, turns off set speed if brakes are used
Clutch switch, if manual trans, turns off set speed if clutch is used.
Neutral switch, if automatic, turns off set speed if Neutral is selected on shifter.
Power wires

VSS(vehicle speed sensor) tapped, to get amplifier a pulse related to speed.

Cruise control doesn't know what 60mph is or 40mph, it gets pulses from a sensor or in the old days a cable.
If you are driving at 60mph and hit the SET button the amplifier looks at the Pulses per minute, say it is 500, amplifier then causes actuator to pull on the throttle until pulses go to 501 then back to 500 and maintains that pulse count.
Pretty simple

Yes, you would have to change steering wheel and clock spring(wire under steering wheel)
Clock spring allows horn and air bag to stay connected when steering wheel turns, it is a flat ribbon wire that is coiled up under steering wheel, looks like a coiled flat spring on an old style wind up clock, hence the name "clock spring"
This wire needs enough separate wires in it to handle adding cruise buttons to steering wheel, and it might have them...but have to pull steering wheel to find out so........
3rd party use dash mount or turn signal stalk mount.

Because of the brake, clutch, neutral, VSS, amplifier and actuator wiring needed the main wiring harness would need to be changed, or a Ford Cruise harness disassembled to get needed wiring out and spliced into your harness

 

A thousand thanks good sir.....decisions decisions

 

In 2000 most models/trims would have most of the Cruise wiring already there.
If truck has P/W, power door locks, and deluxe trims it may have.
The basic "fleet" models wouldn't

 

My 2003 Edge was not prewired, so I had to wire it myself. I stripped a JY harness to get the 10-pin plug and as much wire length as I could. I then spliced into the main harness as needed. I replaced the clock spring as required and installed the control pods on the existing steering wheel. The rear steering wheel cover can be modified or you can replace it with one from a donor vehicle (Ranger or Explorer). It took a bit of time, but it really wasn't all that difficult. I did mine over a year ago and intended to write up a how-to, but never got around to doing it. I do still have the pin-outs and I'm fairly sure the 2000 would be the same as my 2003.

 

Have a '09 2.3, been looking for a way to add OEM cruise control to it
Ford listed all the parts for adding it, downloaded all the instructions on how to do it then was told the wiring harnesses are no longer available new. Wondering if the factory installed harnesses the same as the parts ones

 

Not sure about that. Have you checked for the pre-wired 10-pin plug on the passenger side inner fender well? If you have that, it is a breeze to install.

 

Thanks for the help, will search for the 10 pin plug

 

This might be of some help. How To: Cruise control install | Ranger Forum - Ford Truck Fans

 

Thanks everyone for the help, will check out the Ford Truck Fans intel

 

what is the best aftermarket option for a 1998 ford ranger?

 

????

You should start your own thread
And list what options you have now

1998 Ranger brochure here: http://www.auto-brochures.com/makes/...anger_1998.pdf

See what your model has as "standard equipment" then people can suggest add-ons