Prefered exhaust brake brand

[gerry]

Last year my flex plate let go and managed to waste the TC, pump and various other parts so I had a good transmission shop ''build'' a good beefy transmission and I think I'm in the market for an exhaust brake and would like to know the virtues and drawbacks of the different brakes on the market. Thanks in advance.

 

[jclark5810]

I had a BD for a while, never had any issues with it other than the switch rattled and "buzzed" like crazy. Probably an old issue as that was 10 years ago.

 

[p-Bar]

They are all good . I have a BD works great

 

[Killgore]

Gerry, I've also had a BD for 3-4 years with no problems. Well, that's not entirely true because the compressor was bad out of the box, but BD sent me another post haste and everything is great. (Good service after the sale.) I, like you, researched and read everything I could on BD and PacBrake, finally deciding on the BD because of a perceived difference in the butterfly, and the position of the PacBrake air-compressor on the engine which I thought would have interfered with my GDP MK II filter verses under the wheel-well. Yes, the two-speed axle button rattles on the gear-shift but I wrap a rubber-band around it and the stick and that stops the racket. Would I buy it again? Yes, it has performed as expected.

- Ed

 

[AEdelheit]

I have been using Pacbrake for about 10 years and love them!

 

[bigceltic]

Last year my flex plate let go and managed to waste the TC, pump and various other parts so I had a good transmission shop ''build'' a good beefy transmission and I think I'm in the market for an exhaust brake and would like to know the virtues and drawbacks of the different brakes on the market. Thanks in advance.

I have the "factory" - but installed a few years after I bought the truck - Jacobs brake and I have no complaints.

 

[petersonj]

I have a PacBrake that is vacuum operated. I had it for 70,000 miles on my 99 and now an additional 290,000 miles on my 02 for a total of 360,000 miles. I have replaced the vacuum cylinder twice at $148.00 for the cylinder. The exhaust brake still performs like it was new.

- John

 

[Larry Willard]

I had Pacbrakes on several trucks in the past, but if I were getting one now it would be BD.

 

[gerry]

I had Pacbrakes on several trucks in the past, but if I were getting one now it would be BD.

Larry
Why would you now go with BD over the Pacbrake?

 

[Larry Willard]

Larry
Why would you now go with BD over the Pacbrake?

Because the recurring problems with the vacuum cylinder sticking on my and some other peoples Pacbrake and other TDR members I knew using BD and not having those problems.

 

[gerry]

Because the recurring problems with the vacuum cylinder sticking on my and some other peoples Pacbrake and other TDR members I knew using BD and not having those problems.

This is the kind of feedback I was looking for thank you all for the help and anybody else feel free to chime in.

 

[AEdelheit]

This is the kind of feedback I was looking for thank you all for the help and anybody else feel free to chime in.

The PacBrake PRXB is air operated so while good feedback does not apply to there current lineup.

 

[SBashaw]

PacBrake PRXB for 12 years, no issues at all. installed myself.

 

[MMcCallie]

I have had the PacBrake remote 5" exhaust brake on my truck for about 10 years. It stayed on my truck not working at all for several years. I've had to replace the air compressor and circuit breakers several times. Replaced the relay with a 100 constant duty stainless steel solenoid, and have even had to replace dash mounted switches.

They quit warrantying my old compressors so I bought a new one on Amazon. That one was bad, drawing something like 80 amps. It took over half a year to get them to warranty that one and they finally sent me a new kit. The brand new kit had a bad solenoid making the compressor run for about 1 second at a time. A few times the compressor wouldn't shut off while driving on interstates. By the times I got pulled over it was near 200 psi. Also, the circuit breaker they had sent was so puny the mechanic broke it while installing it.

They sent me a new solenoid and I finally have the system working now, but it literally took several years and many new parts. The effectiveness of the remote 5" valve is minimal and perhaps does nothing under 1,500 RPMs but I leave it on during daily driving whether or not I am towing. It is effective when warming up the engine while idling on a cold day.

 

[Bk1911]

I have been using the Banks inline exhaust brake for over ten years with no problems at all. Sounds like you can't go wrong with any of the top brands referenced in this thread. One of the best upgrades I have done to my truck. Especially when pulling a trailer.

 

[navyjoe]

Last year my flex plate let go and managed to waste the TC, pump and various other parts so I had a good transmission shop ''build'' a good beefy transmission and I think I'm in the market for an exhaust brake and would like to know the virtues and drawbacks of the different brakes on the market. Thanks in advance.

I had the "factory Jacobs" installed on my 06 when I first bought it. 12 years and 100K miles later and it still works fine.

 

[mfurrh55]

I put a Jacobs on mine 10 yrs. Ago and I hooked it up to an air compressor backwards, so it vacuum pulls it closed, well last month compressor went out, gotta replace compressor but Jacobs brake has worked flawlessly for 10 yrs. Activation button does rattle but rubber band fixed that, anyway just my .02 worth, Good luck

 

[OleTom]

I have been using BD exhaust brake for 4 years. I have an 01 needs vacuum pump, installed, to function. I tow 37' travel trailer in the mountains of Washington south to California. Some pretty good grades for miles. I never touch my brake unless someone cuts be off.

 

[Superdawg]

PRXB. Love it.

 

[WalterJ]

Been using the Banks Exh Brake since 2009 (installed at the Scheid Diesel Rally) and the hardware is performing flawlessly. Had to replace the (belt driven) vacuum pump 2 years ago.