Cruise Control

[AllFlairedOut]

Does anyone have any contacts for cruise control parts or rebuild kits for a 66. Or even how to instructions.
Thanks

[AllFlairedOut]

Sorry
I guess i should have introducedmyself before jumping and asking questions.
My name is Josh and i am a two time Thunderbird owner. My first bird was totald while parked in front of my house 15 years ago. I recently bought another one, a 1966 Landau 428 with all the bells and whistles. for now my hopes are to make a twenty footer / daily driver.

I'm sure I will be here alot.

Thanks

[4-5-6-birdman]

Originally Posted by AllFlairedOut

Sorry
I guess i should have introducedmyself before jumping and asking questions.
My name is Josh and i am a two time Thunderbird owner. My first bird was totald while parked in front of my house 15 years ago. I recently bought another one, a 1966 Landau 428 with all the bells and whistles. for now my hopes are to make a twenty footer / daily driver.

I'm sure I will be here alot.

Thanks

Hey Josh - Greetings and welcome to the forum. I also have a 66 with cruise, seems to be a fairly rare option. There is almost nothing available for new cruise parts, I have catalogs from 9 different vendors and there isn't enough in parts to be even worth a mention. I am sure there are lots of used parts out there from the same various vendors. I have not really inquired as I purchased a factory service manual available from the vendors or on ebay in new or used. After studying and reading about the design of the cruise control system it was pretty scary. Let's just say the advent of the micro switch and transistor has been a good thing for Ford's cruise control designs. The thing actually has a diaphragm that pulls on a chain hooked to the brake pedal to keep the speed in check when going downhill. I can only imagine how much fun it would be to try to keep this working or set up properly in a 40 year old car. I am going to opt to install the mid to late 70's and early 80's Ford style (pre ECU) that is very simple with a single throttle pull off diaphragm. I am going ot try to use all the 66 Tbird switches and just implement the newer controls. It should work well and the retrofit should be fairly easy.

The Service manual for the 66 is very detailed on the cruise control system if you should decide to give it a go. The best bet to get all the Tbird info you can for free is to find a new issue of Hemmings magazine, in the Tbird section you will find all the various vendors that have free catalogs, Nick's, Mac's, Bird's Nest, ect. and give them each a call and request a catalog, while on the phone you could ask them about their supply of used cruise parts. I have looked at photos of hundreds of 66's for sale on line in the last couple of years and I sure haven't seen very many with cruise. Good Luck with your new project!!

[AllFlairedOut]

Thanks for the feedback - perhaps for now I will tackle a more simple project, like the hazard flasher relay :)..
When you get around to it please post the results of the cruise control retrofit.
Thanks

[MYTBIRD]

GET A MANUAL! I am on the front end of bringing a 65 Conv that had been sitting for 25+ years back to life. The manual is a BIG help!!!!!!

[AllFlairedOut]

I have a manual, you are right is a huge help but I needed more detailed info like how to rebuild the sensor pump etc. and where to locate parts.

[Harley Eaton]

I made a new flasher light relay out of parts purchased from Radio Shack. Easy to do..

[AllFlairedOut]

All I have done so far on the flashers it verify that the switch in the overhead console works, it does. you are right its probably the relay. How did you make your own?

[swi66]

I just purchased a 66 with the Cruise control. Over the years a few pieces have become missing..........for the time being I am going to let it be, but eventually I think I will try my luck at it..........other items are more on my "to do" list.

A friend of mine has a 64 with the Cruise, his doesn't work either..........

Swi66

[AllFlairedOut]

Hey Harley,
A while back in this thread you mentioned making a flasher relay. both of my flasher relays in the trunk are shot. I was wondering if you could give me instructions for the Radio Shack fix.
Thanks,
Josh