Here is instructions for modifying a non-cruise control 2001 Prius steering wheel to accept a Toyota OEM Cruise Control Stalk:

http://www.ozonehouse.com/prius/

Might it be possible to buy the Rostra unit for the xB, source the Toyota OEM Control Stalk from a junkyard, and make them work together? It seems rather daunting!

 

anything is possible. but why not just get it from trdsparks.com. what does this rostra unit do that makes it so special?

 

The Toyota dealer installed unit is a Rostra.

The Rostra doesn't have a Toyota OEM switch. It is three buttons on a stalk:



Toyota's OEM cruise switch is a button and a lever:



It seems a little more complicated, the indicator light is in the Rostra switch, while the Toyota unit is in the dash.

I think the key is if the rotating connector on the stock xB steering wheel will accept 2 wires like the Prius does. It may be they are being used by the steering wheel audio controls.

 

http://www.trdsparks.com/displaypart...5&parts_id=379

or you can order that and take it to the daelership to install. a genuine toyota cruise control kit will probably come with an oem style control stock.

 

What TRD Sparks is selling is an aftermarket Rostra cruise control unit installed at the port by the Southeast Region.

If you follow the link to the instructions it clearly shows the Rostra unit:

http://www.trdsparks.com/install/00016-79910inst.pdf

I don't mind the Rostra unit, I just want an Toyota OEM switch. It's important, to me at least.

 

okay, i see what your saying, there are just several problems, you don't have a light on the dash or instrument cluster to indicate the cruise control is on, and then you'd have to get a oem stalk from a toyota with the stalk on the left side of the wheel. otherwise the wording would be upside down, and the operation would be reversed wouldn't it?

also, the oem stocks operate by moving up and down, whereas that rostra unit uses buttons, so you would have alot of work to get install a stock in a socket that isn't designed to move, like the oem ones.

 

Yeah, it's not easy.

As far as the light, well, run the wire to the light in the Rostra unit to a light installed into the dash of the xB. On my 2006 there is even a blank where the passenger airbag warning light used to be.

As far as what side it would be on, no, that wouldn't be a problem. What matters is what circuits are open and closed by the operation of the units. If operating the OEM lever opens and closes a ciruit the same way pushing buttons on the Rostra unit does, you only have to make the same electrical connections.

It seems crazy but I want to try it. It still might not be possible because of the steering wheel audio controls, or the 2006.5 wheel being slightly smaller.

 

well, yeah, it can be done, but why go through all that trouble to have custom cruise control? much better things to spend time and money on then having.

as for moving a lever versus pushing a button, the problem there once again is that you'd have to find away of fitting the lever in a socket designed for a stantionary stalk. right? because the rostra unit and the place it goes into your box wouldn't let the lever move up and down?it is designed to hold it still so you can push the buttons?

oh well, do as you please, your car, guess we tc owners are just spoiled with our stock cruise control. i never even use mine, doesn't work so well with the 5 spd.

 

You'll have to look at the Prius installation to see how the OEM lever is installed vs. the Rostra stalk on the xB.

As far as money being spent, it's simply a matter of finding a junked Prius or Corolla with a Toyota OEM cruise lever. Probalby not more than $25.

I looked over my Service Manual and it does not show if the radio/horn connector is like the one on the Prius or not. Are there pics of the steering wheel with the airbag taken off of a 2006.5 xB here?

 

Hey man, I have the same problem/concern that you do about that corny looking add-on control. I have a 2006 & 1/2 xB also and I want to add cruise. I hardly ever drive it because it doesn't have it. I really don't like the Prius one either (it seems like it's in an awkaward spot). Does the echo have cruise from the factory? That might be a better way to go since our vehicles are more similar to those. The controls on my Nissan look something like this: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SCION...mZ260117226255 but I think that this one uses a battery in yhe control (that would become a pain in the ars). I wonder if we could use the GM style (with the controls on the turn indicator arm)? That might be one of the cleanest and easiest ways to go.

 

I got the port installed rostra and I hate it, the frigging buttons are always sticking, always the set/coast button, and its falling apart I hope it falls out of my column before the warranty is up

 

How is the unit besides that? Does it hold speeds alright and everything?

 

nope it sucks outright, you need to reset it every time you change you speed, don't bother with the accelerate/coast buttons, accel jumps it up 12 mph, and coast just pushing it once drops it 50 mph

 

Are there any other companies out there that make them for the Scions?

 

No. Folks just resell the Rostra unit.

Some folk have had good experience with the Rostra. Their webpage mentions a Gain control for different engine size, maybe it needs adjustment.

Then again, the units all got recalled for the buttons not working all the time.

 

not all of them, just some of them, I was hoping mine was one, I've got little shards of plastic falling off of mine from it cracking

 

I was studying the TC electrical manual and the Rostra Service Manual to see if the OEM cruise control stalk could be used to control a Rostra unit.

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13845

http://www.trdsparks.com/install/00016-79910inst.pdf

The Toyota switch has 2 wires. When the various buttons are pressed, the resistance to the wire going back to the CCS wire on the ECM changes.

The Rostra switch has 6 wires. When the various buttons are pressed, 4 of the 6 wires go from 0V to 12V.

So they aren't anything alike

It's probably possible to make a little circuit to convert the OEM switch to make the necessary output for the Rostra control, but it's complicated.

BUT! It may be possible to gut an OEM cruise control switch and make it behave like a Rostra. (With the indicator light routed somewhere on the dash)

I also found out the reason they don't offer cruise on the xB at the factory is apparently the ECM doesn't have support for it. The tC's ECM just receives the positions of the switch and controls the cruise speed directly.

 

Good news! According to the illustrations on page AV-14 of the Repair Manual, there are 6 open pins on the Spiral Cable Plug for the 2006.5 xB. That means all the necessary wires for controlling the Rostra unit can be wired through the steering hub.