Cruise control for your skoolie? Scanguage?

[dentedvw]

I have a 1998 Thomas, with a 5.9 cummins. As far as I am aware, there is no OBD stuff on these right?
I was hoping against hope that I could use a scanguage, but I feel pretty certain that is out of the question.

Another thing that would be really nice is cruise control. It won't kill me to not have it, but after just completing a nearly four thousand mile drive with the bus, it would have been pretty convenient to have cruise. It gets tiring mashing the pedal all the way to the floor all day, just to get to sixty.

Is it possible to add it to something like this?
JC whitney?

[jkindt]

Originally Posted by pjespers

My bus has a throttle cable that I use as a crude-control. Crude because it just opens the throttle as far as you pull it out. (It's a knob on the dashboard). It doesn't adjust the speed of the bus as you go over hills and such, and it doesn't dis-engague when you hit the brakes (You must manually push it back in). So, it's not recommended for driving in heavy traffic but on the open road it allows me to rest my right leg. Something like that shouldn't be too hard to install yourself.

Mine has the same thing. It's technically a PTO throttle cable, but works well. Just need to remember to push it in when you need to stop, otherwise it takes a lot of brake to slow the bus down.

[dentedvw]

I have it as well, but it's quite stuck. Can't pull it out for nothing. Also, my wife has troubles enough already, I am quite sure that adding something like that would be disastrous.
No, it has to be real cruise control or nothing, really. I think I might pop into a Ziebart and see what they can do.

[Stuff]

my little liteace has a throttle adjusting screw in the cab but no "hit to release" or anything like that. contemplated using it for cruise control but i think its too unsafe..

besides, foot to the floor it maxes out at 70mph lol!

[Jarlaxle]

A 1998 could have the 12V or 24V Cummins...need to check your build date. (After 1/1/1998 will be 24V.)3

As for CC...who built your chassis?

Alternately, maybe call Thomas? I'd bet it was optional.

[dentedvw]

I can't find any info about the chassis, everything I have seen just lists Thomas. Could be International, but no where does it say. Just guessing.

[busdriver_phil]

Your chassis is also Thomas (body and chassis were built separately by the same company). 98 was the changeover year from mechanical to electronic Cummins. If it's electronic, then yes you can hook up a diagnostic computer, and yes cruise control was an option, it should just be a matter of adding switches and programming the computer.

[dentedvw]

Ok, well, how would I know the difference between the electrical and mechanical version? I am used to VW's. These engines are friggen HUGE. I don't hardly recognize a single part on this monstrosity! It's familiar in the sense that there are areas I cannot get my hand into, and yet so foreign (pun intended) to me.

[busdriver_phil]

Does it have a throttle knob on the dash to set the idle, or a switch labeled Fast Idle?

[dentedvw]

Knob, but it's stuck.

[busdriver_phil]

Sorry, missed your earlier post about the knob being stuck. That would be mechanical, not electronic (so no computer diagnostics). Have you tried turning it counter-clockwise before pulling? Sometimes they lock that way. You could get a replacement knob pretty cheap. I've never heard of cruise control as a factory option on a non-electronic diesel, but I'm sure anything's possible...

[dentedvw]

I have tried everything short of praying to Flying Spaghetti Monster. It's not budging.
It's okay, I can think of something. Ziebart can probably think of something too. I don't want to use the Throttle Lock as a cruise, I have bad experiences with that in a Jeep Wrangler and some bike parts. Bad idea executed flawlessly.

[Doodlebug]

I have a suggestion for your desire for cruise control, if you know anyone who uses hand controls on their vehicle, take a look at them. Once you get used to using them, which can be scary.... they are quite nice for cruising. When you take your hand off there is a spring return so no worries about them sticking on. Craigs list or ebay would be a good place to find them. Leslie

[dentedvw]

Hand control?
Like this?

Looks pretty complicated for a simple guy like me.

[Doodlebug]

Yup, thats the beast. You can find very simple basic ones to fancy wired for dimmer switches and such. Or, just attach the throttle arm and forget the brake arm. I have four vehicles ranging from the 1958 Buick to a Mercedes wagon with handcontrols and soon my bus. I have had mine installed my pros but I know of people who do their own, just need patience and time. I have mine set so that I can rest my arm on the armrest and my hand resting on the handcontrol handle, perfect. Leslie

[Andreb]

maybe this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Cruise-Control-K...item53e0c8047c


http://cgi.ebay.com/Audiovox-CCS100-...item1c11bbd5ce



they're a bit expensive for my taste but might do for what you want...

[NewSkewlHauler]

If you look at the Audiovox one, it recommends not using them on diesels. I'm not sure why...

That doesn't mean it's not impossible...just not "recommended."

[Andreb]

maybe because the actuator is vacuum activated and diesels doesn't produce much vacuum?

[NewSkewlHauler]

Good point...maybe.

The Aussie one says it'll work for diesels. I like the idea of cruise...of course, 65 mph doesn't really seem like cruising. Oh well, I'm not in a huge hurry to get where I'm going 90% of the time anyway!