install Pacbrake

[MBurtch]

I am thinking of getting a pacbrake. I am thinking of installing it myself. I am wondering if anyone did the install themselves are happy they did it or wish they would have paid someone else to do it? I think I could do it, but do not like doing electrical wiring. Thanks for your time.

 

[Bill Stockard]

I am thinking of getting a pacbrake. I am thinking of installing it myself. I am wondering if anyone did the install themselves are happy they did it or wish they would have paid someone else to do it? I think I could do it, but do not like doing electrical wiring. Thanks for your time.

For installation of a PacBrake on a 2003, see TDR Issue 41, pages 50-52. The wiring comes from PacBrake in harness form which is mostly plug in and route the wiring harnesses.



Billl

 

[Grizzly]

You can do it yourself, but it's a tough job and takes about 5 or 6 hours. You will need some help to connect the exhaust. Lots of plumbing and wiring to do.



Study the instructions carefully and if you don't understand something, ask before you start. The instructions say to remove both inside fenders. You only need to remove the passenger side inside fender.



Good luck, george

 

[Shadrach]

I did mine myself. The hardest part was attaching the brake to the turbo by myself. I removed the inner fenders to make it easier, but a second pair of hands would have helped even more. Your truck and mine are sisters, except I now have a G56 trans. I really like the brake. I have a Kilby air compressor instead of the electric one from Pac. I pull a 24' TT with mine. Shadrach

 

[JFought]

yea exhaust reconnect is hard, u really need a second person to help with that

 

[DMather]

Electrical install is easy.
compressor and tank install easy.
plumbing easy.
I chose the maxbrake that mounts on the turbo - easy install.
The exhaust install was easy.

The only part I had an issue with was connecting the 4" SS adapter to the 4" SS exhaust. Could not find any welders willing to TIG that "thin" SS. Project was delayed 2 days while I learned to TIG SS.

I would give it a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. (that puts it at the point of being the highest I would attempt in a driveway. )

 

[MBurtch]

Thanks for the information guys. I have already read the information in issue 41. Just wanted some more input. I am going to order the brake. That still gives me a couple weeks to make up my mind. They want around $600 to do the install here. Thanks again for your time.

 

[Grizzly]

Electrical install is easy.

compressor and tank install easy.

plumbing easy.

I chose the maxbrake that mounts on the turbo - easy install.

The exhaust install was easy.



The only part I had an issue with was connecting the 4" SS adapter to the 4" SS exhaust. Could not find any welders willing to TIG that "thin" SS. Project was delayed 2 days while I learned to TIG SS.



I would give it a rating of 3 on a scale of 1 to 5. (that puts it at the point of being the highest I would attempt in a driveway. )

From what I'm reading, it doesn't sound like you have installed a PacBrake, but only read about installing one.

 

[SBashaw]

Installed mine myself, not a bad job, instructions are pretty straight forword. I would do it again without hesitation. your going to love it!

 

[bcbender]

Did mine in the snow by myself, :-laf took awhile to hook the exhaust back up but not impossible, just requires acouple breaks, and a beer, important to take out the inner fender liner, make all the difference, otherwise not terribly difficult. good luck

 

[DMather]

From what I'm reading, it doesn't sound like you have installed a PacBrake, but only read about installing one.

From what I'm reading, it sounds like you had a different experience or you are doubting that I installed one.



If you are doubting that isn't easy... ... .



1. Wiring harness runs with other wiring harnesses along rear of engine compartment, wire tied in place.

2. One wire (orange) goes through firewall, hooks to switch in shifter knob (Geno's) and then back to power.

3. Two relays get screwed to inner fender.

4. One wire gets inserted into pin 20 of the engine computer (on left side of engine)

5. Compressor is mounted to plate that is held in place by pax side battery. (wiring harness plugs in)



This completes electrical. - (Total time, including the shifter knob, 2 hours. )



6. Air tank mounts with two bolts. I mounted mine on outside of chassis rail two feet behind the cab.

7. Run air line from tank to compressor.

(Time - 30 minutes)



8. Unbolt turbo exhaust elbow and replace with Pacbrake PRXB Maxflow exhaust brake "elbow" providing 4" instead of 3" outlet.

9. Run air line from exhaust brake to solenoid on compressor.

(time - 30 minutes)



10. Install new 4" MBRP SS exhaust with 5" tip.

(time - 15 minutes to remove old exhaust (sawzall), 1 hour to fit the down pipe and weld the 4" adapter, 1 hour to hang and adjust exhaust. = 2. 25 hours)



Total time 5. 25 hours.



In my book, that is an easy install. I only raised it to a 3 out of 5 in difficulty because there was welding required.



If you doubt that I installed one... here's the "before" post of the brake waiting to be installed.



https://www.turbodieselregister.com...2002/228709-exhaust-pacbrake.html#post2207174

 

[Grizzly]

DMather,



I believe you now.

 

[RMachida]

Installed it myself and the entire process took abut half a day. When I initially installed it, I didn't order the small air storage tank. That came a couple of months later. From what I remember, removing the inner fender liners was the most difficult part (lots of caked on mud).

 

[DMather]

Curious - why did you remove the inner fender?

 

[Shadrach]

It makes it a lot easier to reach things. With the tire off you can just reach in and work easily. Shadrach

 

[DMather]

When I did the vacuum pump, PS pump, steering box and shaft I removed the DS inner fender but when I did the pacbrake I didn't remove either inner fender as it did not provide access to anywhere I needed to work.

Does the Pacbrake for the 05 have components in different locations than on my 02 making the removal of the inner fender more of a necessity?

 

[RMachida]

It makes it a lot easier to reach things. With the tire off you can just reach in and work easily. Shadrach

On both sides. Easy to reach the turbo and easy to reach the computer connectors...

 

[DMather]

Ah... the computer connector. That's the item I was overlooking. Since I no longer have the original lift pump and fuel filter I have a large opening that allows me direct access to the computer connectors. Used a pair of pediatric hemostats to pull the protector plug and insert the wire into the connector while just leaning over from DS.

If the filter was still there I might have been inclined to pull the inner fender.

 

[MBurtch]

I just thought I would let you know that I installed my pacbrake because of the encourgement I received here. It works great and gives a little rumbling sound when in use. I did use a BD on off switch that is installed on the shift stick. I like the idea of it better than the one pacbrake has available. Thanks again to everyone that posted.