I'm going to install an aftermarket cruise control in my 240 Euro. I've searched the threads and have a question that someone may be able to answer.

I saw that rwthomas1 installed a Rostra electronic model which I think is the same as one offered by Audiovox. The question is whether the electric cruise would be better than the vacuum powered system. I realize that they both would be easy to install and that there should be plenty of vacuum to run the vacuum unit, I am just curious as to which system would function better, smoother, etc. Thanks

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'82 240D Euro 68K and growing

Myself I would vote for vacuum because the motor and controller in electronic uses a lot of power and these things end up going bad. The power used in vacuum is very low and allows a lot of years use.

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1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C

I installed the Audiovox vacuum unit, it works really well. The hardest part is probably figuring out which of the three wires to the brake light switch to tap in to. I did manage to pick the right one the first time. If you go with that unit let me know and I'll walk you through what I remember.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

the cruse control on my 300SD stoped working a few years ago. would an after market unit fix the problem? would it hookup to the factory contoler? i miss my cruse control.

Nik

According to the shop that supplied my Rostra unit it is not an Audiovox. It is also way more expensive. I think it cost $225-$250. Rostra supplies CC systems and parts to the OEM's. Mine works well. I prefered the electronic unit because thats what was in the car and also on every other diesel I have worked on. I still have a slight surge sometimes when climbing a mild grade. The CC will overshoot the speed then back off too much, overshoot, etc. 1-3 times before settling in. There is a "gain" controll on the unit but I keep forgetting to try adjusting it as the supplier recommended. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

The aftermarket cruise I have should be able to be hooked up to the original cruise control stalk..... do a search for "aftermarket cruise control" and there is a long thread where someone did just that, can't remember who it was though. I haven't set mine up like that yet because it would be more work and it works ok like it is.... maybe I will someday when I get really bored.

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1985 300D Turbo ~225k
2000 F350 (Powerstroke) 4X4, SWB, CC, SRW, 6spd ~148k
1999 International 4900, DT466e (250hp/660 ft/lbs), Allison MD3060 ~73k

Wasuchi,
I hear ya! I remember looking into using the factory CC switch/stalk and reading that post. I am unfazed by any mechanical repair however electrical work is something I loathe. My electrical knowledge ends at "you must keep the magic smoke in the wires" The Rotra stalk works well and is reasonably unobtrusive. I would like to convert to factory but there are other far more pressing issues. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Thanks for the input from all of you. I haven't made up my mind yet on which unit to use but it sounds as if they both will work fine. Thankfully, the car doesn't have a cruise so I don't have to learn anything new by trying to adapt an existing control stalk to the new cruise control. I must be getting old because I don't even mind using the dash mounted control. Thanks again, Jim

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'82 240D Euro 68K and growing