TonyH
Member Since: 01 Mar 2006
Location: Market Drayton, Shropshire
Posts: 211
  
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| Aftermarket cruise control fitted to D3, base-7 auto |
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Following my request, under a different posting for information on sourcing a suitable aftermarket cruise control for a base 7, D3, I can report that I now have one installed and it is working well. So, for those members with the base 7, please read on for more details.
The system, which is manufactured by Gold Automotive, a Dutch company, is a three-component unit comprising:
Electronic processor – Stores calibrations, interprets vehicle speed signals, processes operator adjustments and commands the accelerator activator. (located somewhere behind bulkhead below steering column)
Activator – Accepts processor commands and adjusts vehicle speed through the accelerator pedal (located safely in an existing casing in the engine compartment)
Command module – Operator controller (Stalk, dash or steering wheel mounting). Available with 3-speed memory. (fitted to steering column casing, in LHD key position and easily seen from driving position)
Because my D3 is only 6 months old, before committing to the installation, I consulted my LR dealership regarding any potential effect on the warranty. I was told that unless a fault was specifically caused by the unit or was due to poor workmanship on installation, the normal warranty would not be compromised.
The important thing to note here is that apart from tapping into the speed signal and ignition power feed, the system does not interface with the D3’s complex electronics. The speed pulse was taken from a Canbus interpreter on my car that has been fitted previously for a VDO satnav refit. However, I was told that the expensive Canbus interpreter was not necessary in that a clean speed signal can be sourced straight from the vehicle. I also decided on the more expensive electric actuator as the cheaper vacuum servo option meant tee-ing off the D3’s vacuum pipe, simple but cutting pipes was not for me.
The job was done by a small company by the name of Conrad Anderson, who specialise in installing vehicle electronic equipment (cruise,satnav, etc) and are based in Birmingham. Don’t expect dealership type facilities, they operate a two-bay workshop and a have basic waiting room. However, you can expect a professional service with highly skilled and very helpful staff and they don't mind you watching them do the work. The job took about 3½ hours to complete, plus a further 20 minutes for road testing and calibration. A full explanation of the operational features was also given.
What did it cost? Well I decided on the most flexible but most expensive kit, and this came to a total of £500 inclusive of fitting charge and VAT. This could have been reduced to £420 for the vacuum actuator and a less comprehensive controller.
I can report that the “GoldCruise†does the job perfectly and I can't speak too highly of Conrad Anderson. I hope this information is useful.
Links:
www.conrad-anderson.co.uk
http://forums.outandaboutlive.co.uk/forums...p;posts=19
Photo's of actuator and command stalk are posted in my gallery. *Disco3 7-seat Auto
March 2006
Zermatt silver
*Disco TD5 GS Manual
2001
Epson Green
108,000 miles without a single problem
*Disco TD200 Manual
1993
Bonatti Grey
55,000 trouble-free miles
*Various company cars, no comparison
Last edited by TonyH on 2nd Nov 2006 7:56 pm. Edited 1 time in total
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 2nd Nov 2006 6:20 pm |
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suevite
Member Since: 15 Oct 2006
Location: Surrey
Posts: 69
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| Sat Nav in the right place! |
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Tony , I noticed in your gallery a nice picture of a sat nav apparently sitting in the "correct" place; any details available on this kit, and is it hardwired?
Cheers, Adrian "suevite"  Don't put it off, go for it!
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| 2nd Nov 2006 9:27 pm |
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CFB
Member Since: 02 Dec 2005
Location: Bradford, West Yorkshire
Posts: 6100
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I too am interested in Cruise for my Base-7 and am currently working with Nick at Yeovil LR towards retro-fitting the OE system. Most of the wiring is already in situ (certainly is to the steering wheel) and one of the senior technicians at Yeovil has obtained a wiring diagram from LR which shows that only one additional cable needs installing then the car needs programming to activate. They are waiting for a guinea pig car to come in and will then have a go, if it is a success, prices will be advertised.
Please don't contact Nick about this at the moment, I will post further details if and when it is available. If there are any Base spec car owners near to Yeovil who don't mind being the said guinea pig then please drop me a PM.
Cheers 2020 BMW X1 18d XDrive X-Line Auto
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| 3rd Nov 2006 10:11 am |
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Calcul@tor
Member Since: 08 Mar 2006
Location: Middle England!
Posts: 810
  
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cotefarmboy wrote:I too am interested in Cruise for my Base-7 and am currently working with Nick at Yeovil LR towards retro-fitting the OE system. Most of the wiring is already in situ (certainly is to the steering wheel) and one of the senior technicians at Yeovil has obtained a wiring diagram from LR which shows that only one additional cable needs installing then the car needs programming to activate. They are waiting for a guinea pig car to come in and will then have a go, if it is a success, prices will be advertised.
Please don't contact Nick about this at the moment, I will post further details if and when it is available. If there are any Base spec car owners near to Yeovil who don't mind being the said guinea pig then please drop me a PM.
Cheers
Did this ever happen? D4 XS MY12 Galway
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| 11th Mar 2007 2:03 pm |
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