Which Cruise vacuum or electronic?

I have an 03 Ford Ranger V6 5 speed manual. I have searched this forum but need a little more help on choosing an aftermarket cruise. I have researched either a Rostra #250-1223 Electronic or a Rostra #250-1176 vacuum. Other than price is there much difference in accurate and reliable operation between the electronic and vacuum operated units? Are there more problems encountered with the electronic? Would I be advised to add a separate vacuum pump for operation of the vacuum model? I want the ability to downshift and upshift for hills without the cruise disengaging every time I clutch, is this possible? Thank you.

Get the electric. I had to install vacuum cruises and I hated it. We switched to the electric rostras and they work so much better. Less crap to go wrong. Also check on the 250-1316

Thanks for the feedback jbarb. I guess my concern about the vacuum is the use of engine vac. My 2 other vehicles use a separate vacuum pump for their cruise. I read that I may also need a vacuum reservoir to provide stable vacuum. I tried to search Rostra Web for your suggestion of Part# 250-1316 but they don't have a product search, just a product application page. I could not get any info. What does the 1316 provide. Also do these kits come complete with the control stalk that goes on the steering column?

The 1316 is just a newer electric cruise. The 1223 is good to. What I dont like on the vac cruise is that the diaphram or something always craps out after like 2 years and they start to do this surge....coast....surge...coast crap the whole time they are engaged. You need to get a separate control arm. Its not included in the kit. A good one to look for would be a 250-3421. Its a little flexable arm you mount by the turn signal switch

jbarb, I did some more reseach and found the 250-1316 is actually the same as the 250-1223, except the 1316 is an AudioVox part#, at least that's what Rostra says. I looked at the 3421 control arm and thought it was a joy stick type control, which would be great, but Rostra says it's a non-movable arm that just looks like a joy stick. I'm still not sure I want to add cruise at this point on a manual trans, everytime I clutch it is going to disengage. I understand the safety reason but with these new electronic units I would have thought there would be some sort of delay or rev reduction on clutching if it's done fast enough. Ford also provides a Cruise kit for $392.95 complete with control switch, not sure whether this is a Rostra or not. I'm going to see whether the dealership I bought the truck from will sell it to me for jobber price, then it would be competitive with aftermarket. I don't know how difficult the factory unit would be to install. There is also a company called Dakota Digital that makes a cruise, I think it's their own make? Thanks again for your help.

In tach mode the cruise disengages when the revs get to like 4 or 5 grand i think. Ive never actually tried speed shifting to see if it stays engaged but if I get to do a manual cruise soon I might have to try that.

Well I did all the research I could even called the Ford dealer and found out a factory electronic cruise kit would be $393.00+tax, installation extra. Generic electronic cruises are about $250+$35-$40 for a control switch. But I managed to find a web site that distributes Ford factory electronic cruises for $280 complete+$10 shipping. The distributer buys them from the OEM manufacturer. This is a great price for a unit that will virtually bolt on and wire in to exisiting factory accomodations for cruise. As well I get a new steering wheel ring that mounts the paddle-type control switches to the steering wheel, just as factory. They also sell GM and Crysler factory cruises. The fellow that runs the business is really great and has hands on experience and advice. I also get an 800# for tech support from the mfg'r. I don't think I can post the web address (forum rules?) but if it's allowed you can private message me. If not, moderator please delete this last sentence. I will follow-up after I install it to let you know how hard or easy it was.

I installed the kit and it all went pretty well. The instructions are in numbered picture form with few words so you need some auto background to install it. A couple of the pictures are confusing and could be improved. The only drawback to this factory kit manufacturued by SCS Frigette is that it does not hook up to the existing instrument panel cruise light and it does not have an indicator light of it's own. I was told by the Dist'r that the light would come on, but that's not the case. There is no signal wire to the light even though the bulb is already installed in the instrument cluster. A call to the SCS Frigette tech line confirmed this. So here's my question, does anyone know what I would need to make the dash light work. The on/off switch on the control assembly sits with a 6.5-7V charge going through it. When the on or off is pushed there is a temporary 12V pulse to the speed control servo, and I assume, it's internal relay. I figure Ford installed another on/off relay in the truck circuit that operates the dash light. I can tap into this 12V pulse for my signal. Any help and/or advice here.     

PCPC could you e-mail me the phone number for the cruise distributer. I need a cruise unit for a stratus and would like to keep it factory. My e-mail adress is vector_3@hotmail.com . Make the title read "cruise control". Thanks for your help.

The Factory System I bought is an SCS Frigette, as stated in my earlier post. It is however an OEM factory unit desiogned to plug into existing harnesses and with the controls on the steering wheel as they would be from the factory. If fact if your vehicle, at least Ford, came with a complete factory harness under the hood,but no cruise, you would only need to connect the interior harness and plug in to the under hood harness for a complete system. Is the system you mention a generic or vehicle specific. If it's a vehicle specific then the prices are great. So far I am very happy with the way the system (electronic) works. Can't say about quality, haven't had it that long yet.