What are the Pro’s and Con’s for the different brand Exhaust brakes?

[Zoomschwortz]

I have been looking at different brands of exhaust brakes and like many products out there, I’m guessing that not all claims are accurate or possibly there are things not mentioned in the advertising that people wish they would have known.

I am interested in things like, reliability, ease of installation, effects on power when not in use and things you like or dislike.
I notice that some kick in for faster engine warm ups and some turn off if the cruise control is turned off, is this good?

EDIT: I have a stock 2006, 2500 w/5.9 and 48RE

Thanks
Ken

 

[Prairie Dog]

They all run for faster warm ups and I have never heard of one kicking out with cruise (anyone heard of this?).
Just my own personal opinion but the only one I would avoid is the Jake that uses an engine mounted vacuum pump. When it fails it's a bit of a pain. In rare cases it takes out a radiator but at a minimum you have to install the orig belt to work around it.
I would (and did) use a Pac Brake that uses an air compressor. If one of these fail, they just dont work - no other issues.
I would only use one that goes iin the position of the elbow. The in-line types take longer to kick in because they have to pressurize the exhaust to that point.

Do you have a manual trans? If not then there's going to be more work and cost to installing it as that trans is not EB ready.

 

[Zoomschwortz]

They all run for faster warm ups and I have never heard of one kicking out with cruise (anyone heard of this?).
Just my own personal opinion but the only one I would avoid is the Jake that uses an engine mounted vacuum pump. When it fails it's a bit of a pain. In rare cases it takes out a radiator but at a minimum you have to install the orig belt to work around it.
I would (and did) use a Pac Brake that uses an air compressor. If one of these fail, they just dont work - no other issues.
I would only use one that goes iin the position of the elbow. The in-line types take longer to kick in because they have to pressurize the exhaust to that point.

Do you have a manual trans? If not then there's going to be more work and cost to installing it as that trans is not EB ready.

Thank you for your response.

I apologize for not providing information about my truck. I have a 2006 2500 w/5.9 and 48RE.
I have been told that the 2006 48RE is EB ready.

I have looked at the PAC Brake and I see that it gets great reviews, but I see that it mounts the air compressor on the engine in the same place that my Glacier Bay fuel filter is located.

I too don’t like the idea of mounting a vacuum pump on the front of the engine, it’s cluttered enough already.

Thanks again
Ken

 

[BigPapa]

Cluttered? That 5.9's just cozy.

This is a 6.0L Ford. That's CLUTTERED.

 

[Ozymandias]

Go with the PAC and install the compressor where ever you want.

Or - install an Onboard Airsystem e.g. ViAir and use it for all kinds of things, including the PAC.

 

[Prairie Dog]

X2. I didn't like the Pac being mounted in such a horendously hot location so I put it the rear passenger side of the eng copartment where there was a big open space. I know my buddy's 2006 is cluttered in that area, not sure about an 05. The Pac comes with ample air line to locate it where ever you want and it's just 1/4" DOT air brake line that you can get anyplace (Napa, etc).

Your trans is engineered for an ex brake. There are others on here with lots of experience that can give you good info on what is needed.

 

[Zoomschwortz]

Cluttered? That 5.9's just cozy.

This is a 6.0L Ford. That's CLUTTERED.

View attachment 119042

That would be fun to replace a belt, in the rain, at night, on the side of the road.

 

[Zoomschwortz]

Go with the PAC and install the compressor where ever you want.

Or - install an Onboard Airsystem e.g. ViAir and use it for all kinds of things, including the PAC.

If I went this way, I would probably mount under the bed.
Are they weather proofed? How well do the resist water and slush?

Which ViAir system did you buy?

Thanks
Ken

 

[BigPapa]

That would be fun to replace a belt, in the rain, at night, on the side of the road.

That ain't happening. Warranty time to replace the belt, in a shop, with all needed tools, by a trained tech, is 1.2 hours IF it has a single alternator. 2.0 hours for dual alternators.

 

[AEdelheit]

I have used a PacBrake BRXB for about 13 years and they have been great, while there are other brands out there that Im sure work well Id buy another PacBrake without hesitation.

 

[Ozymandias]

If I went this way, I would probably mount under the bed.
Are they weather proofed? How well do the resist water and slush?

Which ViAir system did you buy?

Thanks
Ken

I got this one, https://www.homedepot.com/p/VIAIR-C...JabOf7jNXWvPiF9aLnvGT4hAFAxbwKZBoC_-YQAvD_BwE

It is more or less waterproof, it shouldn't be installed direct behind a wheel or so. Inside the frame or so is fine.

 

[bigceltic]

I have the same truck as the OP and have been happy with my factory Jacobs EB. Only have had one issue with it - a wire came out of the ECU and the brake stopped working but that was an install issue, not a performance issue. Had it installed Jan of 2010 (bought the truck new in 06), don't know the mileage at the time. My reason was it was a "factory" part so I figured it was engineered to work with the engine. I tow my trailer thru the CO mountains and it works great at keeping me in control and not having to use my service brakes.

 

[AH64ID]

The Jacobs is no longer made, nor are repair parts.

I swapped out the Jake in my 05 just before selling it with a PXRB from PacBrake. It was a much stronger brake, and install was very easy. It's the brand I would recommend.

I don't recommend using the warm up feature too often on a cold motor thou, it just soot loads the oil as the back-pressure is the same on a cold motor as a warm motor and there is more potential blowby on a cold motor. It's fine on occasion, but shouldn't be the norm based on what I've seen with UOA.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I have the same truck as the OP and have been happy with my factory Jacobs EB. Only have had one issue with it - a wire came out of the ECU and the brake stopped working but that was an install issue, not a performance issue. Had it installed Jan of 2010 (bought the truck new in 06), don't know the mileage at the time. My reason was it was a "factory" part so I figured it was engineered to work with the engine. I tow my trailer thru the CO mountains and it works great at keeping me in control and not having to use my service brakes.

You may have the same truck but your trans is very different when it comes to adding an exhaust brake. Your trans was the first year Dodge OK'd the 48RE for them and many changes were made. You have the first trans of that type with dual towing modes and a stronger computer to control converter lock-up at the right times. It's also beefed up internally.
The OP's truck can be made to do it but it will take more than just adding the EB the way you were able to.

 

[BigPapa]

You may have the same truck but your trans is very different when it comes to adding an exhaust brake.

What am I missing that they have a different transmission? They both have ‘06 2500’s with the 48RE, right?

 

[TFucili]

The '05 had hardware improvements, but not enough RAM for them to release it. I had bought my '05 with the expectation of the Jacobs being warranty approved, but it got ditched. I felt bad for Carlton Bale.

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/48re-exhaust-brake-current-status.76813/

 

[Prairie Dog]

What am I missing that they have a different transmission? They both have ‘06 2500’s with the 48RE, right?

Sorry, I didn't see the OP's edit.
Also, the trans was referred to as a 48RE long before being upgraded for EB use. So that designator doesn't really mean anything in that regard.

 

[bigceltic]

Sorry, I didn't see the OP's edit.
Also, the trans was referred to as a 48RE long before being upgraded for EB use. So that designator doesn't really mean anything in that regard.

But I am pretty sure the 06 was the first MY that Dodge authorized an EB (the Jacobs) - and I am not trying to say the Jacobs is the best, just that it has worked well for me.

 

[Prairie Dog]

But I am pretty sure the 06 was the first MY that Dodge authorized an EB (the Jacobs) - and I am not trying to say the Jacobs is the best, just that it has worked well for me.

Glad it has worked out for you but accordig to Johns post, they aren't available anymore.
But yes, 2006 was the first year for EB ready trans/computer.

 

[Zoomschwortz]

What are your thoughts on the following things I have read?

I have read that remote mount will be cooler than turbo mount, will reduce clutter in the turbo area and will live longer.

I have also read that remote mount delays EB activation by a couple seconds, but 1foot of 4 inch tube has a volume of 2.47 liters, so if you engage at 2,000 rpm, or 33.333 rpm per second, it seems that 1 or 2 feet of tube would fill and be pressurized in little more than 1/10 of a second.

Thank you for all of your help and information.
Ken