disconnect the battery & wait 2 - 30 minutes (depending on who you talk to; i disconnect & burn one, then resume work).
ground yourself. remove 1 bolt on either side of the steering wheel covered by caps, i think they may be 10mm if i remember. the airbag pad will sort of flop forward, so be ready.
disconnect the airbag. careful! if you are statically charged, i hear it can go poof. YMMV.
now you can see the where the cruise control buttons are screwed to the steering wheel. if one of the screws has fallen, just put it back. if it is lost or the button is broken at the top, you will either need a new screw, a new button, or some form of re-engineering.
i think those are the right steps, but if not, you'll be able to tell once you get the pad off. installation is reverse of removal. don't forget to be careful with that airbag, if it splodes it's on u! good luck.
oh yeah, don't retighten the 10mm bolts too much or your horn will be a B* to honk.
BB
96 XLT 4.0L 4DR 4WD