CFAUVEL

On my 2005 Enthusiast the clear coat on the switch is coming off and thus the wording too. I saw that the 2006+ switches are different and wonder if it will plug in and work as intended.

My switch goes
accel/resume - Coast/Set
On/OFF
Cancel

the 2006 set at which I'm looking goes
accel/resume - Coast/Set
Cancel
On/OFF

So I'm worried the connector won't actually produce the desired effect..

While on the subject what is the blank metal piece on the left side of the steering wheel called (where one would have the stereo controls)?

Chihuahuamaster

Looking at the retrofit kit on Z1, I believe they are different and not interchangeable.
https://www.z1motorsports.com/advanced_search_result.php?keywords=Cruise+retrofit

The only name I can think of for the plastic peice is 'steering wheel trim,' but search results weren't great.

CFAUVEL

It looks like the pigtail of the 2005- cruise control is different than the pigtail for the 2006+

If I wanted to be adventurous and buy a sit of Pin Removal Tools, I probably could figure out what wire goes where to swap out my pigtail for the new switches.