04 Exhaust Brake - Down Pipe - 4" pipes

[LesStallings]

I've been thinking of going with an exhaust brake and upgrading my exhaust to a straight through muffler and 4" pipe all the way, replacing the forward portion of the exhaust system.



When I look at the parts that come with the exhaust brake, I don't see any kind of a down pipe. Am I missing something?? I would like a 4" down pipe and don't know what will work with a Jake brake, for example.



Once I get to 4" and heading back to the muffler, everything looks easy. It will be just a choice of mufflers.



Help me understand how I get from the goes-outta of an exhaust brake to a 4" down pipe and 4" muffler.



THANKS!!

 

[SRadke]

If your truck is an 04, not an 04. 5 you will have a 3. 5" downpipe and it stays 3. 5" back through the muffler. Waht you need to do is buy the exhaust brake for an 04. 5 which will ahve a 4" outlet instead of 3. 5" (because 04. 5's have a 4" downpipe) and buy a 4" downpipe for an 04. 5 to go with your larger exhaust brake outlet. You can get the downpie as a Mopar part or from many of the aftermarket exhaust suppliers. I've purchased individual exhaust components (rather than a whole kit) from Rip Rook @ Source Automotive. I highly recommend him 1-866-211-1533



-Scott

 

[LesStallings]

Yes it is the 305/555 2004. I'm concerned that there may be some incompatibility of a 04. 5 unit on a 04 engine. I'm assuming that the exhaust brake takes the place of the elbow, which according to the installation instructions is removed and not reused.



I see the Banks unit comes with a 4" downpipe and I could most likely mate it up with their full system. I have not heard much about the Banks exhaust brake or how well it interfaces with the electronics, like cruise control, etc.



For the Jake brake, if all I need is an 04. 5 unit and 04. 5 downpipe, that will be good.



I'm just worried about compatibility with everything else. I know the 04. 5 turbo is different, waste gate control, etc. I don't like problems. Problems are BAD.

 

[SRadke]

I can say for sure the 04. 5 brake will clamp onto your turbo. I don't know the diffrences between the electronics... if there are any. We'll hope someone who has done it will chime in here with words of wisdom. I went a diffrent route and put in a 4" inline Pac brake so I had options for turbo upgrading. This would be an option for you as well but you'll need a compressed air source to activate it, the direct mount Pac kit comes with a small compressor to do just that.

 

[jelag]

I've sold several 04. 5 pacbrakes to customers with the older truck... . and the exhaust brake fits fine... they than upgrade to a 4" exhaust...