1973-1987 Chevy C10 Dakota Digital Cruise Control Install - One For The Road

Note the cruise control harness was kept handy to test fit as the hole was cut.

Once it is determined that both the Howell TBI and Dakota Digital cruise control system operate trouble free this hole will be sealed-up from the elements with a non-hardening sealant that can easily be re-opened for future use.

Although the Dakota Digital wiring harness comes attached it needs to be wrapped with protective tubing (included) before it can be routed into the cab (installed).

We've found the absolute best way to do a clean job of installing parts that require drilling new holes is to make a pattern.

A piece of heavy construction paper was traced around the profile of the cruise control servo and then double-checked by measuring with a square.

Although our mounting location didn't require the use of the bracket Dakota Digital supplied for a freestanding location we decided the bracket would make an excellent backing plate.

A cutoff wheel was used to make quick work out of chopping the bracket down to size.

The bracket was also a great template to use for marking the holes to drill in the firewall.

After identifying marks were made to ensure the template was positioned correctly it was taped into place and the two 1/4-inch holes were drilled.

A chunk of non-hardening putty (included) was placed on top of the servo unit and then the hood was closed to measure the gap left between the servo unit and the closed hood.

The easiest way we found to stuff these oversized plugs through the opening was staggered, one-at-a-time.

Notice in this photo a space was left next to the Dakota Digital servo to extract the Lokar transmission dipstick without interference.

Once it was established that the cruise control cable operated freely, the next step was to set up the throttle linkage as explained in the instruction sheet.

The cruise control cable must be checked for proper travel by setting it to the idle position and then to full-throttle and then dividing the distance.

The vertical, black-rubber plug on the right side of the servo is easily removed to adjust settings as described in the instruction manual.