Long story:

My nephew HAD (past tense) a very nice low mileage 2005ish Sebring convertible. It was his grandmothers car, and WAS his pride and joy, right up until he was rear-ended at a stop light. The impact shoved him into the car in front of him, smashing both ends of his car. Needless to say, a total loss. To make things even worse, the driver “borrowed” the car. The car owner denied giving permission to drive the car, resulting in a huge months long insurance pissing match. While this was going on, my nephew had to borrow/share cars to get to work and school.

When it was all settled, he took his meager insurance settlement and bought a 2014 Chevy Cruz. While a decent car, it doesn’t have the nostalgia of his grandmothers car, not the curb appeal of the convertible.

He called one day trying to figure out how to use the cruise control. Imagine my surprise to find out the car isn’t optioned with cruise!! I thought pretty much any car made in the last 20 years had cruise standard!! Apparently, not the Chevy Cruz!!

After several weeks of good natured teasing ( I reminded him my dads 40 year old pickup, my neon, even my 69 Olds has cruise!) he has reluctantly accepted the lack of cruise on his Cruz.

Now, the point of my thread. I see you can buy s cruise kit from the dealer, or aftermarket kits. Since the dealer offers an over the counter kit, what are the odds a cruise control system could be installed from junkyard parts? I’m guessing since the car is throttle by wire, there is no cruise servo. Is it as easy as installing a steering wheel with the cruise buttons, and maybe some PCM programming?

I thought about maybe equipping his car with cruise as a kinda gag gift for Christmas. He doesn’t have the money from the dealer kit, and the kit would far exceed the budget for the Christmas gift exchange.

Just a thought.

 

I wouldn't use an aftermarket cruise nor an aftermarket alarm. My 0.02˘. Sorry can't offer any input about adding factory cruise.

Good luck!!!

 

The answer is, it depends. I added cruise control to my Tacoma. It cost the control stick, two small harnesses, and a couple bolts. Done in a couple hours. This worked because my truck had the main harness and computer set up for it already. Later Tacomas do not.

I recommend you search for specifically what you want and there may be a forum, analogous to us, that will give you part numbers and what to do. If the car is the same, electronically, with cruise as it is without, and all you have to do is plug in stuff, then it is that easy. If it's a different ECU and a different main wire harness, you don't want any part of that evil. It all depends if the OEM is into using the same main harness for low options as high (which saves flowrack space and logistics) or if they want a lower cost one for the low option. I bet, on the Cruz, it's probably all one harness since the car is cheap.

 

I think John is right on that. A lifetime ago I was a mechanic at a Chrysler dealership. There was a kit available to add cruise to a Dodge Omni. in that case it was a stalk with cruise switches, and bellows type thing to add under hood to pull on carb cable. All other wiring was there on all 89 Omni's. It was really easy. I would go in to Chevy parts dept and ask- if you can get someone who will help you .....

 

The limited research I have done makes it seem pretty easy, and can be done with junkyard parts. Looks like the steering wheel needs to be changed, and the body computer reflashed to recognize the car now had cruise.

if I can find a wheel cheap enough and in the right color, I might roll the dice and try it.

 

Why not? I hope you can find one, let us know how it goes.

 

I hate to be the Grinch here, but I would be surprised if the CC steering wheel had the same plug as the non CC wheel. There will be extra pins for the buttons and I'll be shocked if the wires are there. GM stopped "prewiring" options many years ago in my experience.

Get him a brick and hot glue a couple wires and a switch to it!

 

The original accessory cruise control kit included a new steering wheel with switches and an air bag coil. After installation the BCM calibration file needs updating and the IPC need reconfigured. The installer needs to call Techline Customer Support Center to receive programming instructions and changes to calibration settings. VIN must be provided when calling.

New accessory kits are discontinued, but there are 9 dealerships showing stock. Last list price was $340.

 

If he is short on cash I'd give him a gas card instead. That chevy cruz depending on the engine does not have a long life.