Aftermarket cruise control for 280Z?

[gtk53]

Hi - I'm a new owner of a 78 280Z. I had to drive it 6 hours to bring it home and decided I would like to add cruise control for my longer trips. Has anyone installed an aftermarket cruise control kit to a 280Z that they would recommend?

Thanks

[Walter Moore]

Cruse control in a Z?

Interesting question.

[TomoHawk]

Just push your foot down to the floor and keep it there!

[sblake01]

I know they existed because there was an aftermarket cruise control in my 810 parts car. I had that car about 6 years ago and the cruise control it in actually worked! When I sold it, the cruise control went with it since I had no interest in putting it in the good 810. I don't really remember the details of the setup but if it worked on a 79 810, it would have worked on a 78 280Z (which I also had). Unfortunately, I have no clue as to where you'd find such a setup today.

Edited August 27, 2009 by sblake01

[260zCaliCar]

Here, try one of these:

http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/VehicleBrowse/tf-VehicleBrowse/s-10101/N-111+1978+200731156+600010545/c-10114

[Derek]

I have a Rostra unit installed in my Z. Makes those 3 and 4 hours drives much more enjoyable!

The Rostra unit is repackaged under a few different brand names. Google will be your friend.

Derek

[gtk53]

Thanks for the quick responses. I've found several to check out. Now I only have to pick one.

[FastWoman]

My '78 came with a defunct Sears unit that I had to pull out. It had a sensor near the drive shaft to measure speed, a vacuum servo mounted to the battery tray and connected to the throttle via a cable and bead chain, a clam-shell control circuit that was hidden in the innards, and a defeat switch that was chained to the clutch pedal. It seems there should have been a switch on the brake too. The installation wasn't too messy.

FAIW, I had a cruise control on my 5-speed Z3. Very nice, ergonomic design. I used it very routinely, even at lower speeds, so as to avoid creeping upwards in speed in my well patrolled part of town. I suspect someone in an antique car might catch less grief about speeding, even if the car is a sports car. "Do I know how fast I was going? Oh gee. Honestly, my speedometer has been reading a bit funny for the last few weeks. I think I finally tracked down a good source for a refurbished one. It's been on order and is being refurbished as we speak."

[Ttiger]

I put an Audiovox aftermarket system (from eBay - $100) on my '71 and it works great!

I used the rear trans crossmember bracket bolt to hold the magnetic pickup so I didn't have to drill any holes. The magnets get zip-tied to the driveshaft. I put the servo on the passenger side inner fender and ran the throttle cable up to the stock throttle linkage on the firewall. It looks factory. The control module is very small and I mounted it on the center console just under the heater control panel. It lights up with the parking lights and does a great job of maintaining the speed. It's very accurate even when climbing and decending hills.

I'm very impressed with the quality and I'm going to put one on my '73 soon.

[IdahoKidd]

Is it possible/practical to retro fit the cruise stuff from a ZX (83 for example) to a 77? Seems that with a donor car it couldn't be that hard. I can't find any info on the search at all on the subject which leads me to believe it is either very easy and needs no explanation or very hard or not possible and nobody has tackled it. I have a donor car that I am going to be hauling away and I'd like to know if I should keep the cruise stuff.

Thanks,

Leonard

[Ttiger]

It would be really hard (if at all possible) and not worth the effort. The ZX cruise uses a pickup in the speedo (the 77 does not have one). The ZX uses the ECU and other factory electronic components to make the system work.

I bought a 1981 Turbo ZX in 1981. In 1982 Nissan came out with the resume feature on the factory cruise. I could not update my '81 because it was so closely tied into the factory wiring and electronics.

[gtk53]

Thanks for the info. I ordered an Audiovox unit and it's on the way. I'll look into an install like you described. Something to keep me busy this weekend.