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Topic: Cruise button relocation (Read 2369 times) previous topic - next topic

Cruise button relocation

After installing my aftermarket steering wheel I realized how much I missed cruise control. I was thinking about mounting the buttons under the clock but there ain't enough room there, so this evening I had an epiphany: The little blank panel that in more heavily optioned cars would've housed the power antenna, ride and fuel switches. I've still got to fill in the gaps around them with black silicone but I think they look rather good there:
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #1 –
:D very nice!
95 Ranger Splash 2.3
88 Tbird Sport :ies::ies:
5.0 SO, stainless shorty headers, w/ Magnaflow lers. KYB struts, KYB shocks. 5lug conversion from sn95 Mustang, subframe connectors, drilled and slotted rotors, 03 Mach 1 wheels. sequential taillights.140 speedo

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #2 –
How hard are they to get at when the car is in gear? I wanted to mount mine next to the floor shifter.

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #3 –
You can reach them easily with the car in gear (I had to go out and check after eading your post). In fact if you're the type that drives with one hand on the wheel and one on your knee you don't even have to take your hand off your knee - at least if you're 6'3", anyway :D

My very first idea was to mount them in the center console switch plate (my car has no power seats so space wouldn't have been a problem). I decided against that right away because I figured the driver or the passenger could unwittingly lean on the buttons and make the cruise do unexpected things
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Thunder Chicken
at least if you're 6'3", anyway :D


I probably couldn't reach the button there beings I'm only 5'9" I would be reaching kinda far.

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #5 –
next project would be seeing if you could find backlit buttons
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Tbird232ci
next project would be seeing if you could find backlit buttons

That would be schweet :D

I wonder if late model Fords use the same resistor network, or if they are digital? I must check Mitchell Ondemand...

*EDIT* Schweeter still - THEY ARE THE SAME! At least a '99 Explorer is - time to find me an Explorer wheel to nab the switches out of :D:D:D

The resistors might be different, but that's nothing I can't handle...

Pic 1 = T-Bird cruise
Pic 2 = Explorer cruise
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #7 –
id assume that theyre digital, only because if it were the same, it would be too easy

i think most late model fords have them mounted in the opening of the steering wheels, rather than mounted on the dash, but its possible that theres something
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #8 –
Actually after looking at an Explorer wheel, the buttons are kinda ugly (see below). Anyone have any other suggestions? Are MN12 buttons nicer and backlit (I don't remember whether my old '91 was or not)?
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #9 –
my dads 89's cruise control buttons arnt backlit, i dont think any of em were, and in 95, they used a similar wheel to the stang if i remember correctly
It's Gumby's fault.

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #10 –
Yeah, I imagine just about all late models have the buttons out on the sides like the Explorer 'cuz of the airbag...
2015 Mustang GT Premium - 5.0, 6-speed, Guard Green - too much awesome for one car

1988 5.0 Thunderbird :birdsmily: SOLD SEPT 11 2010: TC front clip/hood ♣ Body & paint completed Oct 2007 ♣ 3.55 TC rear end and front brakes ♣ TC interior ♣ CHE rear control arms (adjustable lowers) ♣ 2001 Bullitt springs ♣ Energy suspension poly busings ♣ Kenne Brown subframe connectors ♣ CWE engine mounts ♣ Thundercat sequential turn signals ♣ Explorer overhead console (temp/compass display) ♣ 2.25" off-road dual exhaust ♣ T-5 transmission swap completed Jan 2009 ♣

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #11 –
The Explorer buttons are too organic for the dash of a TbirdCougar.  It wasn't until 1995 that MN-12s, Explorers, etc had back lit buttons, though.

I'd wait a few years and get the buttons from late model Fords...see the wheel on a Montego or 500 and you'll see what I mean.
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
85 Thunderbird 30th...#2471, 29k, all original and might actually stay that way

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #13 –
I don't think any of the MN12s have back-lit buttons.
One of my projects is to swap the Exploder buttons onto my steering wheel. While the cruise buttons on my wheel are plastic, the Exploder buttons have a black rubber cover on them.
Getting them to light up is a different story. Somebody told me that the MN12 steering columns are missing that necessary wire.
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]

Re: Cruise button relocation

Reply #14 –
1995-up Mark VIIIs have the lighted buttons.
pro-five-oh

88 Cougar XR-7...5.0HO, T-56, and much more                             
85 Thunderbird 30th...#2471, 29k, all original and might actually stay that way