Does anyone know the difference AP 50 - AP60

[lewy]

Does anyone know the difference between the AP50 & the AP60 cruise controls and which one would be better for a 1994 80 series GXL non turbo manual diesel. thanks.

[Bluefreak]

Both have the same functions, one(AP50 I think) is a "stick" set-up like an indicator stick and the other is a "pad type" which will mount just about anywhere on the dash.

edit: I used to have the AP60 on my old NA diesel Rocky, worked a treat...

[beatle_bayly]

I think the AP60 is merely a later version. Either will work great. The AP60 has a different connection method (no chain link) than the AP50 which may have been legislated for safety reasons. I have had excellent service from the AP50 in my FJ60, and have a brand new AP60 in a box I was going to fit to my Alfa before I sold it.

I fitted the AP50 controller as a 'pad' immediately to the right of the binnacle, adjacent to the A pillar. IIRC both the pad and stalk versions were supplied by K-Mart, and I had to open the boxes to figure out which was which

FITTING:
I drilled two small holes and wired the magnet to the 'cup' protecting the transfer case output seal (forward of the uni joint), then mounted the pickup to an angle-iron bracket fitted under one of the transfer case bolts. This way the magnet-to-pickup relationship is always the same, regardless of propshaft angle, and the pickup isn't moving about on a long bracket bolted the floor. I also fitted another brakelight switch to the clutch pedal bracket, running a wire through it to the two empty sockets of the control box. I have it adjusted so the cruise switches off with any pressure on the clutch pedal, well before the clutch starts disengaging. Cruise can also be disengaged via the electric brake controller.

Give me a hoy if you'd like some pics.

[beatle_bayly]

OK I got some pics. PM me with an email address if you'd like higher res photos, or more pics of something in particular.

First batch show the AP50 fitted to my '83 FJ60 (6.2 diesel). You can see the pickup on the RED bracket attached to the Tx case bolts. You can also see where I mounted the magnet on the dust cup. I drilled two small holes in the cup after sticking the magnet in place, then wired the magnet securely. It's never budged in 7 years, and is well protected by the factory bash plate. I didn't even need to cut or lengthen the wiring.

[beatle_bayly]

These pics show the connection at the injector pump. My AP50 came with a stack of atachments to suit almost any application. You simply piggy-back the cruise cable to the throttle cable. Other vehicles have different methods of connection.

Note the small section of chain. The AP60 does not come with chain anymore as I think it was a little too complicated for DIYers to get the setup correct. If the chain can double back on itself it could jam the throttle open !!!

Other pic shows the vacuum operated actuator.

[beatle_bayly]

Next pics show the control pads of both the AP50 and AP60.

I mounted my AP50 on the dash. Screws are long enough to thread into the metal dash proper, not simply into the padding.

This style of pad can also be mounted as a rigid stalk, or mounted to an existing stalk. All the parts are (were) supplied in the AP50 kit, but I thought the stalk was a bit too vulnerable.

Second pic shows the pad in the AP60. Once again.....I'm sure this type of pad was also available with the AP50, or something very similar. A friend mounted his pad on the drivers door armrest (Nissan Pulsar) which worked well.

[beatle_bayly]

Lastly, a couple of pics of the AP60 I have, still in the box.

On my AP50 I bought another brakelight switch, drilled the clutch pedal bracket, and fitted the second (clutch) switch exactly the same as the factory brake pedal switch.

The AP50 control box/brain (not pictured - hidden behind RH kick panel) had two vacant pins. I simply ran a wire from one pin, through the new switch, and back to the other pin. Polarity didn't matter. When the clutch swith makes the circuit (pedal depressed) the cruise disconnects.

The AP60 has no vacant pins but the amendment sheet in the kit says to either buy their special clutch switch (reed magnet), or to tap off a +ve wire from the existing brake switch to the new brake switch on the clutch, then to the violet wire on the electronic brain.

It really depends on your sheetmetal whether fitting a brake switch as a clutch switch is viable.