Aftermarket Cruise Control - Good or Bad

I just got my '09 Taco which is a pretty basic 2.7 I4 Access with auto and air which I am totally tickled with. It did lack a few things I would have liked, DRL and cruise control would have been nice but not a deal breaker. I have found info on adding DRL. I don't seem to find a lot of info about aftermarket cruise. I have found a kit that Rostra makes that looks ok but not something I would want to install myself.

Something I read somewhere said most after market cruise units just don't work that well.

Any thought would be appreciated.

Rick

 

Rick, both of my Tacomas came with OEM Cruise, but I put aftermarket units on my Matrix and a Nissan HardBody before that. Both units worked fine for years--much better than living without cruise. I went to a auto electronics shop for the install for the Matrix, and a speciality auto shop for the Nissan. Not sure I'd want a place like Wal-Mart to do the install.

I think the units are $300 to $400 nowadays, depending on whether you have an automatic or manual (manual is more because they have to install two kill switches ( brake and clutch).

 

I've had cruise on all my vehicles & never think to use it. Just my opinion, if I had a choice in getting it or not. I probably would leave it off & use the money for a better mod.

 

I have cruise on my other vehicle and use it a lot. The roads I travel most are strictly enforced. As smooth as the Taco rides I find myself blowing well past 55 on the back roads before I realize it.

 

I think the Rostra kit runs just under $200 and I figurered another $100 - 200 for the installation. There is a truck accessories store not too far away that has been doing this for years.

Thanks for the info.

Rick

 

Do yourself a favor and install the factory kit. It is plug and play and factory-seamless. You can find the parts for about $125; installation took me about 30 minutes total including cleanup and all.

For DRL, you can install the factory system for about $50 after shipping. If you do this at the same time as the cruise control, it only adds about 3 minutes. Seriously, it is that plug and play.

Cruise: http://www.toyotanation.com/forum/t171992.html
DRL: http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/1475-05-drl-daytime-running-lights-install-oem.html

 

Thanks for the info. I had already read the DRL thread. I guess "plug and play" depends on your skills. I am a bit hesitant to tackle both. If it is that easy I am surprised my Toyota dealer will not do either mod. I also noticed that the aftermarket cruise companies list a different kit for the 09' from the '05 to '08 so I am not sure if the OEM install will work.

 

I definitely can't vouch for the 09's being the same as the 05-08's, so you'll have to figure that out with your dealer and the parts fiche. That being said, it really is very simple. If you were local, I'd help you do it to prove how easy it is

 

Thanks for your help. I just get a little nervous hacking into a week old Taco, particularly around the airbag. I found another company that offered an OEM type kit for the '09 and reading the instructions it showed basically the same as the link you showed plus having to route a harness and tieing it into a terminal block behind the glove box. Definitely a bit more than Plug and Play, at least for me.

Rick

 

Yeah, understood. Call the dealer and see if the p/n's match up for the 09 models. If so, you're golden (I'd be surprised if it didn't work). As long as you disconnect the battery, the airbag issue is moot and you'll be ok.

Edit: I just read that you have an auto...as far as the install goes, you're even luckier since you don't have to install the clutch switch...i.e. no need to go under the dash. The whole process should only take you about 10-15 minutes. No, I'm not exaggerating.

 

Yea, it can be a little bit unnerving to start to take apart and modify a brand new truck. It only gets easier, once you get over you initial fear to mess something up. I mean, you really do not need to be mechanically inclined at all to do some of the mods on this truck. As long as you have some simple tools, and are careful, you'll be fine. I'll tell you what - I'll dispatch Guidance and Contorl to your house if you break something.

 

After looking at it again it doesn't appear to be that difficult. Looking at the new wiring harness I see a spade connector that goes back to the airbag ground and I am assuming that there is a multi pin connector that goes to the stalk"

I guess I need to go to the dealer and see if this will work on the "09.

Does Toyota have any kind of chatline or tech help online that could answer this?

 

I just found a similar thread in a Tundra forum and putting cruise on an '06 Tundra uses that same parts mentioned above. It also said that it would not work on '07 and '08's because the required wiring is not put in unless the cruise was factory installed. I am guessing the same is true for the '09 and also applies to the Taco.

 

this is where i ordered my parts for the cruise control http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214591

 

If you look at some of the later threads on the ToyotaNation site, it seems that people have been getting it to work on the 07-08's and maybe even the 09's. But if you have a manual, you might have to order one other part. I have an 08' AC V6 that I have been wanting to do it on. Maybe it will be a Christmas present for myself

 

I mentioned in another thread about recently taking a 2700 mile trip in my basic regular-cab 2.7/5speed and wishing at times that it had CC. I do find, however, that I rarely use it around my neck-of-the-woods. I live over 100 miles from the nearest Interstate highway and most of the roads around here are 2 lane and CC just isn't needed all that much. I have it in my two cars and rarely use it close to home, but it sure is nice on a long road-trip on the slab. I probably won't be taking my Taco on too many of those however, so doubt that I'll add it as an option......but may reconsider if that changes at some point in the future.

 

Thanks, I will check further.

 

We drive to a lake most every weekend about 90 miles. The roads are straight, flat and heavily patrolled. I have cruise on my Blazer I always use on that trip. I have taken that trip with my Cherokee without cruise and really missed it. We will be driving the Taco most of the time now for that trip. Cruise would be nice for me.

 

just installed OEM cruise on my '08 reg cab 2WD, Works perfect, would never know it didnt come that way, super easy to install, all for $106.22 shipped from 1sttoyotaparts.com