Anyone have a Jacobs rambrake on a 24V?

[LSMITH]

I am probably going to order a new truck soon, with a manual transmission and am looking for people that have used the Jacobs rambrake. What did you like and dislike about it? What was the holding power like under 2000 RPM? Has anyone had a Jacobs and another kind? Thanks for the info, Howard.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[merryman]

I have the Jacobs exhaust brake on my 01 ETH DEE and like it very well.
I had the Pac Brake on my 93 and liked it very well; I think the pacbrake did provide a little more braking power than the Jacobs does.
The direct tie in to the the ECM (brake comes on automaticaly about 1. 5 seconds after removal of pressure on excellerator pedal,) is nice, but that is occasionally a small problem as I some times forget to turn it off when stopping and that keeps EGTs up to high to shut engine off---just means a longer wait for cool down.
I think all together, I prefer the system I had on the 93 where I had to depress a foot pad to apply the brake.

Vaughn

 

[CWade]

I have the Jacob's exhaust brake. Dealer sold it to me at cost as part of the truck deal. Installed it myself. Work's fine on warming up the truck. Planning on heading to Florida on St Patrick's day pulling the wife's 30' 5er. Will let you know how it holds on grades when I return. Manual says it works best at high rpm.

Charlie

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2001. 5 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel,Reese digital brake controller, Isspro pyro & boost gauges, Snap-On tool box

 

[LSMITH]

Vaughn, Charlie, thanks for the info. I am considering it as part of a truck deal too, and that would make it way cheaper than anything else I can get. I run empty 99 percent of the time, how does it work empty in the low RPM ranges (1500-1900RPM)? Thanls again, Howard.

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99 2500 QC 4X4 AUTO SB 24V LARAMIE SLT 3. 5 LSD 285-75-16'S SPA Boost/EGT Everything but leather NRA Member Great Lakes TDR Member

 

[klenger]

I am also considering the Dodge OEM Jakobs brake. When I was at the RV show in Denver last week, I was "warned" about the negative aspects of the Jakobs brake and given an "Alert" document, which I have posted here: Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4

The exibitor was selling the U. S Gear brake and claimed that their product did not suffer these problems. Has anyone seen this document? Is there any credibility to their claims? I have heard nothing negative about the Dodge OEM Jakobs brake on the TDR forums, so I assume it can't be too bad. As I've also heard that the OEM brake is the only one that will not impact the vehicle warranty. Thanks for any feedback. Just looking for honest answers.

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Ken Lenger
On Order - 2001. 5 2500 QC 4X4 SWB SLT, ETC/DDX 5 Speed, 3. 55 (no antispin), camper group, trailer folding mirrors, RBR CD/Radio, LT265/75R16E AT OWL tires, trailer tow group, Patroit Blue / Agate,
Replaces 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 which is for sale.
Trailite 21' Travel Trailer, ~4000 lbs loaded.

[This message has been edited by klenger (edited 03-07-2001). ]

 

[dresslered]

Klenger-
I believe that document was discounted some time ago. In fact, you will see by searching the archives that it is the U. S Gear that has had most of the problems.

I run my Jacob's on an empty truck 99% of the time over winding mountain roads daily and seldom have to use the service brakes. The other 1% of the time, I run a big slide-in and the truck is at max GVWR and I have no problems with stopping power. I too had done a lot of research prior to the purchase. I have never seen a post here of any problems with the Jacobs. The direct ECM connection is far superior to pedal switches in my opinion. There are a lot of other good brakes out there, but I would really perform a thorough search if you're considering the US Gear.

P. S. At last count I had 24V!

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

[This message has been edited by dresslered (edited 03-07-2001). ]

 

[Ladders]

Have had mine on for about a year and about 27k+ miles. Like it (period) I know there are others out there with probably more braking power, but this is the "approved"
Cummins/DC brake. If installed by DC or bought from DC (per my understanding) it carries the eng waranty for the 36k (may be covered by the 100k - but dont quote me on this). If you install it, it should be covered by the 36k, and all this is from reading my install manual waay back when. I'm not worried about the warranty on the brake but on the eng - so DC wont "cancel" it because of the e-brake. Also, have used the brake a lot during winter for warm-up and braking.

If you search on the brake, you should find others that have had tehm on their older units for years and like them. That report was what I consider a "scare" tactic to use a brake that is further from the turbo, BUT whats the diff? They still put pressure on the valves and slow the turbo w/back priessure. I think that as long as the oil and bearings in the turbo is moving - shud be no problem. I wont say the report has been "discredited" but it lacks some other info for braking these.

If I ordered a new unit, I would "deal" the brake in as it has proved its worth to me (plus a few other GOODIES).

SOTSU!!
\\BF//

 

[Scott Gray]

Bought mine with the truck. Haven't second guessed myself for doing it at all. As others have stated it is the "approved product" and having it working off the ECM is GREAT!!

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2001. 5 2500 ETH/DEE, QuadCab, 2WD, LWB, SLT+, 3. 54, Tow Package, Camper Package, Jake e-brake and more...
Pulling a 30', 12. 5K lb Alpenlite 5'ver

 

[MikeR]

I love my Jacobs brake and experience with it is all positive,no dislikes at all. True you can get a BD or Pacbrake that has more retarding power,but with a manual transmission how could it need more retarding power with the rate this truck slows down. The brake also has the 100k mile warranty.

I haven't had a problem with the turbo mounted brake. My EGT's haven't changed,and also a dyno run showed that the power output hasn't changed either.

-Mike

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'00 2500,QC,4wd,LWB,Dark Garnet,6spd,3. 54lsd,SLT,DD stage II,Psychotty air,10-level PM3,Jacobs ebrake,Isspro pyro & boost gauges,2wd-low,Airoquip fuel lines,Smittybilt nerfs,BFG 285/75 AT's
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'95 2500,Reg-cab,2wd,LWB,White/Driftwood,Automatic,3. 54open,SLT

 

[merryman]

I use my E-brake all the time---with or without a load. Its biggest benifit is downhill with a load,(recently went down about 10 miles of 11% grade grossing 19K, and was really thankfull for that brake) but it is also very usefull at the lower RPMs approaching stops, slowing for curves or traffic etc.
While its effectiveness decreases as RPMs decrease, it is effective right down to near idle speed.
As to the scare tactic sales flyer;
1) The engineers at Pac Brake, BD, Cummins and Jacobs together probably know as much as the guy who wrote that flyer and if his idea had validity, they could design a brake to go down stream in the exhaust system also--- there must be a good reason they ALL elect to do it the way they do.

2) There have been millons of miles run by rigs using the turbo mount method and there simply are virtually no stories about the problems he claims exist.

3) I have run two trucks now 140,000 miles using such brakes most all the time with no problem at all----and would not be without one.

Vaughn

 

[mbrolin]

Ive recently installed the Jacobs on my 01 ETH. Simple install and has plenty of braking in the lower Rs when empty. The ebrake itself is warranted for 100k/5yrs. The wiring,vacuum solenoid,switch,etc is warranted for 36k/3 yrs. Call 1-800-559-6698. This is a dealer in Virginia which sells them at a great price. BTW,I installed the BD shifter switch. Heck of a lot better than reaching down to turn it on at the location Dodge recommends.

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2001 HO 6spd,Quad cab,LWB,4x4,Flame Red,all options except for leather,Westin Brushguard/Push bar,Painless wiring,Radio Shack CB,my own design CB mount,Smittybuilt nerf bars,NW Custom rocker covers,Custom built stainless rocker light bars,DeeZee bedrails,Isspro pyro and boost gauges(more to come)

 

[DennyDay]

I've got 73k on my Jacobs with out a problem. A friend had purchased a US Gear and after hearing what sounded like somebody with a 16 lb. hammer hitting the exhaust system, would not have if it were given to me! It's the guy who has nothing to sell that talks about his competition. US Gear there are several others out there if you dont want a Jacobs.


Denny

[This message has been edited by C. D. Day (edited 03-08-2001). ]

 

[sweeks]

I spent 4K getting my truck how I wanted it after the purchase. The Jacobs E-brake was the best money I've spent and would be the last thing I'd give up. I researched the others prior to the purchase and am very satisfied. Truck warms up quicker, too. Steve W. #ad


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2001 2500 4x4LB,6-speed,HO engine,SLT,towing mirrors,Med. Bronze W/Dark Charcoal Line-x bedliner and rocker panels,CB,Banks EGT/Boost pillar mounted guages,Jacobs E-brake,etc.

 

[DJOliver]

Same here! Use mine everyday and would'nt want to be without it. I pull a work trailer 5 days a week and i've noticed a big difference in stopping power since the E brake was installed.


David.

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2001. 5 3500 6 spd 4x4 ETH/DEE Quad SLT Silver Metallic. Tow Group,Camper Special ,3. 54, western nerf bars, Towing 99 Damon Challenger 5ver 31' ,Jacobs E Brake . Need :Guages, aux fuel tank, tow mirrors & Cb radio.

2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. Wife loves it.