14 replies to this topic

[pauldridge]

I love my Mini, but at 74" tall, I find that any drive more than about 45 minutes or so quickly becomes painful for my throttle foot and leg, having to suspend above the pedal.  

 

We are planning a 2 day trip next spring to join a group of Mini owners, and I just couldn't see that happening without some sort of cruise control to make the trip enjoyable.

 

I have already had positive experience with what seems to be the de facto standard universal cruise control unit:  The Rostra 250-1223 (and other variations of this model).  I installed one on our Nissan Figaro (for similar reasons), and was pleasantly surprised with the thorough instructions and sound engineering.  The unit consists of a control unit about  6" x 4" x 3" tall, which mounts in the engine compartment.  This unit has an integrated cable that attaches to the throttle mechanism, using the existing throttle cable mount as the base.

 

On first examination, I could not find ANYWHERE underneath the bonnet where this control box might fit, but then I removed the front grill and discovered a perfect spot just behind the grill and underneath the alternator and A/C compressor.  I was able to use the supplied control box mount bracket without modification, and the box's position was perfect to utilize the somewhat fixed length of the control cable, up to the throttle body.

 

 cruise control box.jpg   69.58K   11 downloads

 

Connection of the cruise cable to the existing throttle mechanism was a piece of cake, requiring only that I whack off extraneous sections of the included cable bracket and bolt it all in place:

 

 cruise cable.jpg   60.29K   5 downloads

 

Then the wiring harness was installed, which is cleverly split into two connectors requiring only a .75" hole in the firewall to run into the cabin.  The kit included sufficient length of  standard corrugated wire tubing to contain the 8  wires bound for the cabin, making for a neat under-bonnet installation.

 

One really nice feature of the Rostra unit is that you buy the basic control unit, then choose and purchase separately your desired style of control switch to be mounted in the cabin.  There are dash-mounted switches, as well as steering column mount switches of various configurations, and you can get them configured for left or right side installation (of the steering column).  A configuration I liked was the Rostra  2503421 control switch.

 

I opted for a left-side of column switch, with function similar to most GM vehicles as shown below, and the switch looks like it came from the Mini factory:

 

 cruise switch.jpg   66.88K   7 downloads

 

Installation of the switch couldn't have been simpler.. just lower the steering wheel so you can pop off the upper cover, drill a hole in the plastic at desired location, install the switch, then plug it into the harness you have run from the engine compartment.

 

The connectors are all high quality, and designed for ease of installation.  For example, the switch power lead has a thin stainless metal blade on the end that just piggybacks behind any existing switched blade fuse of your choice (power consumption is so minimal as to not cause concern of overloading a circuit).  Inline, blade style fuses are provided to protect the circuitry of the cruise control.

 

The unit comes with 12 dip switches on the control box, which I found to be easily accessible from the mounting location behind the grill (with grill removed of course), and designed to accommodate virtually any vehicle ever made.

 

I am happy, and my leg is happy!

 

(added.. per request.  The cost for basic unit AND your choice of control switch will be about $250 US, depending on your source):

The basic unit is available on Amazon,   https://www.amazon.c...ise control kit

and even cheaper on eBay if you search

 

The control switch also from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.c... control switch

 

Update.. September 2017.. After much research, I had to admit there doesn't seem to be a usable VSS (vehicle speed sensor) coming from the ECU.  Luckily Rostra has an extra-cost (about $44 US) optional Magnetic Pickup sensor that mounts on one of the front axles right at the transmission.. I resorted to that option, which has worked fine on another vehicle I've used the Rostra system on.  I chose the near-side axle, since it is further from the exhaust piping.  Rostra even provides a plug-in pigtail in the under-bonnet harness to make installation a snap.

Attached Files

•  o2 sensor.jpg   28.03K   5 downloads

Edited by pauldridge, 07 September 2017 - 10:40 PM.

[minifreek1]

This does sound very good, is there a link maybe.....?

[panky]

Very neat and useful on a long monotonous drive, but have you tried fitting extender brackets to move your seat back a bit more

[pauldridge]

Extender brackets...

yep.. already did that.  But the integrated side bins in the back seat area only offer another inch or so of aft movement.  I even modified the brackets I bought to offset the seat toward the center, but then found the floor well didn't allow any further movement inboard.  such a shame, as there is all that wasted space between front and rear seats!  I am open to further suggestion

Edited by pauldridge, 29 August 2017 - 10:13 PM.

[Spider]

Great work - love it and wouldn't be without it.

 

I too have Cruise in a few Minis and on the Moke, but with the kits that have been available to me, while they work really good, the operating switch isn't the best set up, just a pad with 3 buttons on it, that mounts on the dash.

I'll have a closer look at your switch as that's exactly what I've been keep an eye out for.

[Spider]

Slightly off topic here.

 

I recall the Metro had a factory (dealer?) option of Cruise, was it ever offer on the Mini at any time?

[minimans]

I like the idea but for a manual mini it's looking like more like $300 for all the bits, as you need a speed transducer as well as a switch?

[Spider]

I like the idea but for a manual mini it's looking like more like $300 for all the bits, as you need a speed transducer as well as a switch?

 

The kits I've fitted were quite complete, they come with magnets and a coil pick up for the speed sensor, but on some cars, I have an electronic speedo, so I just tap in to that.

 

The ones with the magnets, I've fitted to a pot joint and then hang the coil of a bracket (some bracketing is included) off the diff flange bolts.

 

$250.00 AUD, which I don't find objectionable.

[pauldridge]

I like the idea but for a manual mini it's looking like more like $300 for all the bits, as you need a speed transducer as well as a switch?

Actually, the unit does have the capability of deriving speed info from the ECU, with multiple adjusting parameters.  , and I believe I have identified the correct output.  Otherwise, yes, I'll be adding the magnet kit which is what I had to do with my Figaro

Phil

[pauldridge]

Yeah, I had a console switch like that on my BMW 3.0CS.. Hated the way it worked.  These column switches are definitely the way to go.  There are only 4 wires, so I would assume a little work with a multimeter would allow you to configure it for another brand of cruise control.

 

Great work - love it and wouldn't be without it.

 

I too have Cruise in a few Minis and on the Moke, but with the kits that have been available to me, while they work really good, the operating switch isn't the best set up, just a pad with 3 buttons on it, that mounts on the dash.

I'll have a closer look at your switch as that's exactly what I've been keep an eye out for.

[gazza82]

This does sound very good, is there a link maybe.....?

Try google .. US sources on ebay too

[paulrockliffe]

That sounds interesting, not something I need, but interesting nonetheless.  Did you fit it to a carb or injected Mini and how well does it hold the speed?  I went in a Toyota once that would accelerate and slow down maybe 0.1mph over a 5 second cycle, that was pretty annoying.

 

On your pedal position, does the pedal sit just above the carpet on full-throttle?  If not, a longer cable would drop it down a bit.  I've got a Minus, which effectively has the floor 3" higher when you consider the throttle position, so I've had loads of hassle getting a comfortable driving position.  I think you would need a narrower seat and custom mounts to get the seat in a better position, and you might find you need a drop bracket for the steering column to keep the steering wheel somewhere comfortable as a result.  I ended up moving the seats inboard a couple of inches, so the bolster sits close to the hand brake, which made a big difference, as well as moving the seat back.  I need to lower the seat a couple of inches too, but that's a job for the winter.

[minifreek1]

 

This does sound very good, is there a link maybe.....?

Try google .. US sources on ebay too

 

Yep, I looked on there not long after commenting....

 

A tad expensive for a weekend toy, with not a lot of distance covered - so not really worth it for me, however if mine was a daily I might consider sourcing one to install to mine....

[pauldridge]

That sounds interesting, not something I need, but interesting nonetheless.  Did you fit it to a carb or injected Mini and how well does it hold the speed?  I went in a Toyota once that would accelerate and slow down maybe 0.1mph over a 5 second cycle, that was pretty annoying.

 

On your pedal position, does the pedal sit just above the carpet on full-throttle?  If not, a longer cable would drop it down a bit.  I've got a Minus, which effectively has the floor 3" higher when you consider the throttle position, so I've had loads of hassle getting a comfortable driving position.  I think you would need a narrower seat and custom mounts to get the seat in a better position, and you might find you need a drop bracket for the steering column to keep the steering wheel somewhere comfortable as a result.  I ended up moving the seats inboard a couple of inches, so the bolster sits close to the hand brake, which made a big difference, as well as moving the seat back.  I need to lower the seat a couple of inches too, but that's a job for the winter.

Mine is an SPI Mini, although I can't imagine that injected or carbureted engines would respond differently to cruise control actuation.  Admittedly, I haven't completed the final hookup, as I recently discovered my brake light switch had broken, leaving the brake lights on at all times.  Of course that switch is an integral component of any cruise control system, required to cancel the control anytime the brake is actuated.  I'll report on final results once the switch is received and installed.

 

One nice thing about the Rostra system is that there are a number of parameters you can set via dip switch to adjust the responsiveness of engagement, to give smooth speed hold, as I've been able to accomplish on my Figaro (also injected).

 

Finally, I must admit that my further research after initially writing this post now leads me to believe the MEMS ECU does not provide a proper VSS (vehicle speed) output, required by the cruise control unit.  This means I am going to reluctantly have to purchase the optional Magnetic pickup kit from Rostra, an additional $45 US cost.  I had to do the same thing on the Figaro, since there are no manuals printed in English for that car.  The pickup installs easily on the inboard drive axle, and comes ready to plug right in to an accessory input plug on the harness located in the engine compartment.

 

And thanks for all your suggestions regarding seat placement.  I am going to revisit that issue soon, now that everything else is worked out.. possibly even modify the inner seat frame to allow repositioning toward the center of the car.  It is the one factor that stands in the way of Mini-perfection!

[A-Cell]

Slightly off topic here.
 
I recall the Metro had a factory (dealer?) option of Cruise, was it ever offer on the Mini at any time?

The Metro did have that option. It was dealer fit. It was marketed as a Unipart kit. Unipart was part of BL then. Offered on A series engine from launch in October 1980. The additional throttle cable was operated by a vacuum driven bellows. The ability to maintain a constant speed was not as good as modern electric driven ones.
I did the approval testing, evaluation and sign off on this for Metro. Along with other Unioart accessories.
It was not offed on Mini.
I fitted one to my Mini for long term durability evaluation. Subsequently transferring it to a 1.3 Allegro. Great for European trips.

Found one on eBay http://m.g.ebay.co.u...9394?nav=SEARCH

Edited by A-Cell, 30 August 2017 - 01:18 PM.