So I'm in search of any how to info that will put me in the direction of converting an '08 Ranger XLT to tilt wheel with cruise. I searched and did not come up with anything - seemed kind of odd.

If I have to buy parts from Ford brand new to do this, I am definitely willing.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

With the newer trucks, this is going to be a huge undertaking

I don't even know if you will even be able to get the computer to recognize the addition of the features without having it reprogrammed

Are you really willing to spend this huge amount of money for these features? I can see cruise, but tilt is basically a whole column swap

 

Yeah I don't mind spending the money. I just wanna have cruise with tilt!!

 

www.partsguyed.com

Problem Solved,

Next Please.

 

^^^^^^

Thanks!! :

 

I think he's gonna need more than that. You'll still need the tilt control, plus the interior pieces that go with it.

I think cruise control is going to be your biggest obstacle.

If you don't mind spending money, call the Ford dealership and ask what the would want to add cruise control. I'm almost 100% sure the computer will have to get reprogrammed, not to mention your gauge cluster won't have the indicator to tell you when it comes on

 

I'm pretty sure the lights and what not are in the guage cluster already. And I've been told that a newer year Ranger should already be pre-wired up for cruise. But whether I'm right or wrong about that, you're definitely right about needing the computer reprogramed.

I would have paid the extra for the truck if it had these features. Im still paying for the features this way - just without interest!

 

03 and previous clusters were not pre wired for extra features, but the 04+ might be different.

Your Ford dealership should know for sure

 

Boneyard. Used parts are ~50% off new. And you can pick the one that matches your interior color.
tom

 

While I can't help you on the speed control part, I can help you on the tilt steering column part.

Start by getting a tilt column from a salvage yard. Be sure to get one with the speed control buttons on the steering wheel. There is no sense of paying for brand new stuff.

The process of swapping columns is fairly straight forward and simple. Start by disconnecting the battery. Then remove the air bag and steering wheel. Some of the shrouding on the column needs to be removed.

There are several screws that hold the column to the firewall (passenger compartment side), two nuts that fasten the column to the dash board, and a clamp that connects the steering shafts together in the engine compartment. Remove the screws and nuts. Loosen the bolt on the clamp. The column should drop down. Disconnect all the electrical connectors on the column. Pull the column out.

Installing the new column is the reverse of the removal process. It took me about one and a half hours to remove the column and about 30 minutes to install the new one. The extra time on removal was due to checking each step with my service manual and laying out the parts in order so it would be easier to get the right item during the installation.

Good luck on this part of the job. I agree with an earlier comment that you should check with your Ford dealer to see what you will need for the speed control part of the job.

 

Okay, just to make sure here.....

Do I order the second one? Is that literally all I need, or do I need all 6 parts that are listed above??

I just wanna make sure I buy everything I need.

 

Buy everything, return what you don't need.

Problems Solved

Next Please.

 

Have you gotten in touch with the Ford dealer yet?

 

I spoke with a gentleman in the parts department at a local Ford dealer a couple of days ago - he is supposed to get back to me about the wiring of the cruise control. He has yet to call me. I'll be calling them tomorrow in the AM to see what they have/have not found.