Does anybody have the cruise control kit that are sold on ebay? The kit made by Rostra? Is that the kit that Toyota/scion installs into the scions if you wanted that option?
My main questions are:

1. How do you like it?

2. Does the engine stay pegged in the high RPM's when cruise is on around 70mph or so? Just like most 4bangers...Or do the RPM's jump super high when accelerating?

3. Did you install yourself?

4. was it a pretty straight forward and simplified install?

5. where'd you get it and for how much?

 

The Rostra kit is the one available from Scion. Mine was installed at the Jacksonville port. $350.00 option.

It works well, but the control stalk is on the left, side of the steering wheel, and is too low IMO. It is too close to your left knee, i've almost broken it off. If you're under 5"10'or so it shouldn't be a problem. If you are self installing you may be able to locate it better.

If your rpm's are 4k @ 70mph without the cruise control, it will be the same with it.

 

Mine too! It works fine for the most part but on steeper sections it helps prevent kickdown if you help gas it prior to going up hill. It holds speed fine on the flats and only goes 5mph over for a short while after going up a hill.
The stalk was readjusted by me by turning the angled spacer around so the stalk now points upward more and doesn't interfear with my knee anymore. It's a very helpful thing to have on all my long distance roadtrips and would not do without. Now if Scion would get their heads out their A$$ and make it an option for everyone instead of just the South East Port.

 

I have it, no problem with the height of the arm, and I am not so short.

It's a great cruise.

 

Keep in mind that the Rostra control, made in the US, is the one that the SE Region importer will install at the port, but it is NOT a Toyota/Scion part, and does not carry a Toyota/Scion warranty.

In another part of the country, other than the southeast, this is simply an aftermarket accessory and is not covered by Toyota, Scion, or other dealers. (Beware of "Toyota Warranties" and such from SE Region Toyota dealers - often they are not genuine "Toyota" warranties, but distributor warranties, and are not recognized out of the region.)

Rostra makes an excellent cruise control, but it has a rather flakey "control stalk" in my opinion.

It would be nice if Toyota/Scion actually came out with an optional cruise control for the Scion xA/xB with controls more ergonomicly integrated into the vehicle. Even the Rostra cruise control with nicer human interface would be a plus.

(The position of the control stalk for the current Rostra depends on where the installer drills the hole in the steering column shell - there is no "factory" location. There is a "suggested" location in the installation instructions from Rostra, but it depends on the installer...)

 

my only gripe is that often when you set the cruise say at 70, it will often drop to 67 as you slowly release the accellerator. it will slowly accellerate up to 70, but if anyone is fairly close behind you, they will go around you and glare. i like it, i just wish it would immediately engage as soon as you set the button.

 

When setting cruise I usually click the button to set it, then hold the button to accelerate - when I can feel the cruise just starting to take over from the pedal i release the button and back off the gas...

That way I eliminate the drop while the cruise sorts itself out.

 

I've found this to be true with most four cyl. cars that I've driven. I have the dealer installed cruise and it's fine. I don't use it in traffic because of the slowdown/speedup issue. In fact, I don't use cruise at all except on long trips because of all the dipsticks who drive in the left lane, etc. It's pretty useless to try to drive one speed here.

 

I bought the Rostra kit from eBay, $200, and installed it myself. It was more difficult than I imagined, mostly due to the extremely cramped under-dash work. It took me about 7 hours, and I'm pretty handy with cars. One problem was that I found the mounting bracket wasn't really right for the application. I had to move the bracket to an odd spot on the control module to make it fit right.

I had read others' account of problematic stalk locations, so I placed mine where it wouldn't interfere with my knees, especially since I'm so tall. The only trouble with where I placed it is that I can't see the thing at all with the steering wheel straight.

It functions OK, but not nearly as precisely as many other cruises I have driven. It drops about 2 mph on a hill, but then recovers in a little while.

I'd say that overall, I'm pleased with it.

 

I found those Rostra Cruises for sale at $189.50 plus $10 shipping and handling. This is the way to go because the "other" brand out there is vacuum operated not electric. The vacuum ones really loose alot more speed climbing hills. So I guess you could say the vacuum ones suck! LOL. Stay with the electronic one.

to order contact Custom Auto. CustomAutoRadio@comcast.net

 

I didn't put the control stalk where the instructions recommended. The good part is that I won't hit my knees on it. The bad part is that I can't see it while the steering wheel is straight.


Here is the control box nestled under the strut tie bar. I had to use only one screw on top of the control box to attach to the bracket provided with the kit.


Here's another view of the control box:


Here's a view of the additional bracket you have to add to the throttle body:


Here's a closeup of the same bracket:


Good luck!

 

Nice pictures, gslipply. You did a great job !! I want cruise also. My question is, why couldn't you have mounted the stalk BEHIND the turn signal lever?? From the pics, it looks like it might work ??

 

its hard to see it now if you put behind the turn signal you wont be able to see it all. I would have been nice if they made it to fit on the steering wheel itself.

 

Thanks. The tough part is the under-dash work. I found the access very difficult for not a lot of wires to hook up (12 V power, clutch, brake, speed sensor, and control stalk). I'm still healing from it after a few weeks.

jethro b is right; there really isn't a good place for the stalk. I even considered making it some sort of "box" mount, but that would have looked too JC Whitney or something.

 

I've got the Rostra Cruise control from Ebay for sale. Had to get rid of my Xb and get a truck and never got around to installing it. If anybody's intrested in it, let me know. I'll give them a good deal. I wasn't about to give it up with the box. I'm in N.J. and will ship it if you'd like.

 

Throw an add up in the classified section. Someone will surely pick it up. Good luck with your sale.

 

I have one in my 04' RS1 XB w/man. trans. and it works great for highway driving

 

I'd like to but ya got to have 50 posts in order to post there.
Steve

 

i just instaled my rosta cruise control 2 days ago. I got it from the dealer and it came with good directions. my only problem with it is that it accelerates way too slow when i hit and hold the buttton. im just use to other cruise controls that get the car moving when you hold down the acc. button. owell i guess with this brand when they say cruise they really mean it.

 

I'm 6"3 and havnt had ne problems with my legs hitting the cruise. I had the factory install my cruise, and i havn't used it once yet...... Just hit 1000 mi. as i pulled into my garage last night. Damn break in period.