48RE + Exhaust Brake: Current Status

[yycguy]

Well guys I too was waiting for DC to approve the E Brake for the 48RE. I passed on 03 as I read the Jacobs press release that it would be 04 before they had approval. I even got an email from Jacobs to this effect stating that 04 would be approved for the Jacobs engine brake. So I was disappointed when after I bought my 04 to hear that it is still not approved for the EB.



So I said forget Jacobs/DC and I installed the BD engine Brake with there TowLoc. So far it works great, I went for a tow on Friday with my TT and that extra braking worked just great. I was towing down a busy freeway and when ever traffic was slowing down all I did was let off on the pedal and that truck and trailer slowed nicely, no manual brakes needed.

Just my . 02 worth.

yycguy

 

[Carlton Bale]

Originally posted by yycguy

So I was disappointed when after I bought my 04 to hear that it is still not approved for the EB. So I said forget Jacobs/DC and I installed the BD engine Brake with there TowLoc.

yycguy:



Sorry you'd gotten so many different answers and decided to go with a competitors product. At that time, everyone was hoping the 04 trannies/software would be compatible but that didn't happen. There's a huge amount of validation required before Dodge will certify a product, which is a good thing, because some changes were identified. However, it's not ideal for customers left waiting for approval. The final validation plan is underway now and the last round of software changes is currently in development. This is not a guarantee that the Jacobs exhaust brake will be approved but it is our strongest-possible effort to pass all requirements. I'll post more update as we progress with the process.

 

[yycguy]

Hi Carlton,

Thanks for your comments. Yes I did find it frustrating getting so many different answers or even not given an answer when I emailed cummins directly. I do understand that this type of application requires thorough testing, I guess maybe with that in mind , maybe they dropped the ball to early by implying it maybe available sooner than it will be?

Once again thanks for your update. although I am happy with the BD engine brake I would have liked one that cummins and DC approved.

yycguy





2004 Ram 3500 4x4 Laramie, SB, SRW, 48RE, Black, BD Tow Pro, Xintake, 4inch SS exhaust, Towloc, AutoMeter Gauges, BD Engine Brake, Polished Aluminum Quad/Sled deck, Garmin GPS Map276c, Prodigy Brake controller, JJ Millennium running Boards, Mopar push bar.

 

[carson6]

My trans man made a pac brake work very well on my autotran's (97)and it has 50K on it ... I'll bet he could make a jacob's brake work on my 04. 5. it would be nice if my dealer could install it...

 

[FDrake]

Carson,

I asked my local Dodge dealer about the jake brake. He said they would put it in and made sure that I knew that the warranty on the transmission would be voided if I had it done. So I guess I wait.

Frank

Las Vegas, NV.

 

[carson6]

I wonder why it is so hard to have the computer tell the t. c. to lockup when the e. b. is engaged and if the t. c. is not locked up then don't let e. b. turn on..... I NEED AN EXAUST BRAKE . This is a safty issue that foord and cheevy have adressed. I live on a 7500' mountian top with a 16% grade both up and down. the 04. 5 cumming can handle the up but not the down?My 7 year old diesel can tow up or down hills without tran's issue's. . COME ON D. C. I know you guy's can do it... . to void or not to void?!

 

[dandlwiley]

Does ANYONE have a name, address, or e mail address for someone at DC that might take an interest in the owners of the new trucks with 48RE's? I just re-read that statement--I don't think anyone there has an interest in the owners after the sale is done! Should rephrase it to real "anyone who we can bug the he!! out of... . ". Many of us were misled and bought the 48RE because we were told it was OK with the Jake. We're the ones with a dealer warranty on the transmission, not a warranty from DC, but hate the way it works and seldom use it--too much stress. Actually haven't had to use it as much--don't tow in OD, and gear down when necessary. We are probably going to go with an aftermarket--present thought is a BD. I think DC should buy back our trucks and let us get a 6 speed (for those of us who would gladly go back to the stick).

 

[VietDoc]

Easy there. . . . dandlwiley,

You may want to read all 13 pages and see we have a fantastic Jacob's Engineer who really supports the TDR; meaning all of us.



Carlton Bale has kept us posted on progress, problems and updates. If I remember correctly he is something like the project manager or project engineer for the EB on the 48RE.



I feel confident in Carlton's communication with DC and would not suggest upsetting the apple cart with an end run.



I bought an '03. 5 with the 48RE expecting the new trainny to be EB approved. Well, my 1 ton is great in the Utah mountains up and down the hills (I also went over Donner without any problems). I shift out of OD towing and if its really steep, I go to second. I let the trailer brakes (all 6 of them) stop the trailer and the truck takes care of itself.



Do I want a EB? Absolutely -- When I go full time I will become my own warranty station and put on either Pac or BD?



An even better idea is to get an '05 or '06 Cummins!!! with a Jake EB standard on all automatic trannies <Big Grin>



Have a great day.



Richard "doc"

 

[dandlwiley]

It was the Linda part of the dandlwiley spouting off! All the Dodge owners caught in this situation owe so much to Carlton who has kept us informed from the get-go. Thanks goodness there is a member that knows what he is talking about and willing to share it with us. Can't say that for DC. Our dealer was great--giving us the warranty--but we want that EB for those times we need to be crawling down a hill way back in the boonies and want to stay off the brakes. Used 4 wheel low at the end of March to slow us down--narrow one lane, better than 10% for a short distance (estimate) and mud. The 6 miles took about 45 minutes to travel. The new big brakes are awesome--certainly better than the 1997 we had. We figured this would be our last truck--but who knows?!

 

[ACerf]

EB

I have nearly 20K on my 03', checked the brakes last week, sitll looking great. I tow up and down hills with my 11,000 Holiday Rambler without the E/B. Would be nice have, but so far they have not been not really felt the need. I have stated before that I have the brake Guard on my truck, which I know helps alot! I also know I would not trade my Dodge/Cummins for either a Furd or GM product. EB or not!

 

[carson6]

thank you carlton bale... . for keeping up posted on what's up, I love my truck's but the best up grade(most fun)I did was the E. B. (thank's DTT)And I'll keep My finger's crossed in hope's of this issue having a happy ending!

 

[Dean Upson]

This may not really pertain to this post as it has nothing about the 48 RE/ E-brake compatability but I thought I would post this here.

I just got back from pulling my 15K+ trailer a couple of thousand miles from New England to the Smokies and back and I have to say again that the Jacobs E-Brake is awesome. I hope they get the transmission issues squared away because an exhaust brake really makes a huge difference when towing heavy. I have had one on my CTD's since 1998 and would not leave home without it.



Dean

 

[amsoilman]

I have to agree with Dean!



Wayne

amsoilman

 

[stevenknapp]

I'll post more update as we progress with the process.



As the cut off date for ordering an '04 approaches I was curious if there were any other hardware issues found?

 

[Carlton Bale]

Originally posted by stevenknapp

As the cut off date for ordering an '04 approaches I was curious if there were any other hardware issues found?

No, nothing new found so far and no additional changes to the transmission are planned. It's all about getting the software to perform as intended (as far as we know right now).

 

[thejeepdude]

Originally posted by Carlton Bale

No, nothing new found so far and no additional changes to the transmission are planned. It's all about getting the software to perform as intended (as far as we know right now).

Carlton, you are "DA MAN"!! Give those software test engineers a swift kick in the arse for me, k? Make sure to keep us posted because I'm doing 10 "Hail EB's" a day in hope that '05 will roll off the line with approval. I'm willing to give up the cash back just to have an '05 because of this, and I'm dyin over here without a truck... so the moment you give us the word it's approved or close to it, I'm puttin in my order!!

 

[stevenknapp]

Give those software test engineers a swift kick in the arse for me, k?



Heck, next time I'm through or in Columbus how about a round on me.

 

[ACerf]

Originally posted by Carlton Bale

No, nothing new found so far and no additional changes to the transmission are planned. It's all about getting the software to perform as intended (as far as we know right now).

As much as I like my 3500, it amazes me that DC can not or could not. Figure out now to make 48RE trans work with a E-Brake. I have said this before, even Ford and GM have tyranny's that work with the E-Brake. I am sure that with all of the resources that DC has on hand this should not be a difficult task. I mean come on, they own four big rig companies, and company that produces diesel engines, and they make their own transmissions I would be ashamed if I were DC!

 

[ACerf]

Originally posted by Carlton Bale

No, nothing new found so far and no additional changes to the transmission are planned. It's all about getting the software to perform as intended (as far as we know right now).

If DC decides to ever make the 4500. I hope they have this E-Brake stuff figured out by than!

 

[JRG]

Carlton,



Can you please clairify if the thrust washer we have talked about is the only thrust washer. In other words, is it under load on accell AND decell?



JRG