BD Exhaust Brake and Auto-Loc

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Dealer for BD just installed exhaust brake and auto-loc. No time for me to do, to much work on the job. Here are my observations yes I,m auto impaired, both good and bad plus some questions. First the truck does warm up much quicker which will be a good thing when it gets very cold,works with my auto start Ok,but of coarse not with my electronic fast idle. When it is engaged I don,t mind the noise,but the truck sounds better with it off. Now for stopping power,it works quite well when engaged except you have to be in TC lock up which is a problem. In 3rd (no Od on)or in 4th with TC locked and it kicks out at 27 mph. I knew all this before buying,but two things bother me on my limited so far use. When you are coming down a grade in 3rd with TC locked and you let off on the throttle with the brake on to slow using the brake the truck slows down fine,but if you hit the throttle (even just a little)the truck comes out of TC lock-up and disengages the brake entirely and you have to speed up to once again get into lock-up and you are going as fast as when you first attemt to slow down. Same in 4th gear. Do I need a torque lock also to keep the TC in lock-up? Such as going down grades around a curve then a little speed then more braking etc. Also trying to gauge when to let up on the throttle when coming to a complete stop is tricky because judging the distance is hard. When the brake is working and it disengages at 27mph then you have to use the service brakes which is fine,but it takes some getting used to. Can the 27mph be set to 18-20 mph? Can I safely leave the brake on all the time and how hard is it really on the TC? I guess what I save on some brake wear also the safety factor of being able to slow quickly will some how warrant the hefty price. I,m not entirely happy with it and i,m looking for some input on what you other people that have them installed on A/T think? Yes i know they work great on manuel transmissions and I should of bought a manuel but I really need input on what I have. Thanks!

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99-24V-2500-Laramie-SLT-A/T-LSD-355
All Options except cab lights and carpet-Rino- Prime-Loc-Alcoa wheels-Lund cold front-Factory Tows-DSG Electronic Fast Idle-Mag-Hytec transmission Pan+Rear Diff. Cover Tekonsha Voyager VA CPC Rancho 9000-5000 steering stabalizer _ALASKA

 

[Archive]

<font color=blue>You need a to install a "mystery switch" to keep the converter locked. Do a search of old threads on this and I am sure it will pull up something. The reason the E-brake kicks off at 27mph is because with the converter unlocked (1st, 2nd, part of 3rd) you will create an enormous amount of heat.

Might be worth looking into Bill K's 2nd gear lock up valve body as well, I don't know anything about it so you'll have to talk to someone that has one.

The heat created is exactly why DC or Cummins (I don't remember which) recommends against installing E-Brakes on Automatic trucks.

Here is a related thread : Mystery Switch?
Another thread on mystery switch
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[This message has been edited by KatDiesel (edited 08-26-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Turbo Terry, if you had the TorqLoc instead of the AutoLoc you could manually lock up the TCC at the top of a long grade, cycling on and off the exhaust brake with the throttle (by releasing same), as desired/required. In the manual lock up mode, once the TCC is locked up, releasing the throttle DOES NOT disengage the TCC as is the case with OE, AutoLoc (or TorqLoc, position #3), operation of the TCC. The TorqLoc has a 3-position switch; MANUAL lock up of the TCC, OE operation of the TCC, and AUTOMATIC lock up of the TCC (if an exhaust brake is installed AND activated). The third position functions exactly the same as their AutoLoc computer.

My TorqLoc disengages at 23-24 mph and if I remember correctly, BD stated this setting could be changed SLIGHTLY although, I can't remember how. Give Andrew (shop foreman at BD) a call (1-800-887-5030), he should be able to answer your questions regarding this modification. You can only take advantage of the disengagement feature while in 3rd (O/D off), as the TCC WILL start to shudder at approximately 35 mph or lower. This was also discussed at BD's Dyno Days last October.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4 Sport, Glasstite Vision II, 285 BFG A/Ts on M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares & tow hooks, NW Custom s/s-rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover & trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, Reese Titan V hitch, VDO Vision gauges, Dynamat, '00 Sport grille & valve cover, '00 Sport headlights/PIAA Super White bulbs, PIAA Dual Sport 900 aux. lights, BD exh. brake and TorqLoc, Prime-Loc, Amsoil Dual Bypass, Bosch 275s, VA CPC, (censored), Banks 14 cm2 turbine housing/Big Head wastegate actuator, ATS 3-piece exh. man. , Banks 4" dia. s/s exh. sys. , BD V10/Cummins hybrid TC & valve body, BD trans. front pump & PressureLoc, Air Bulldog induction hood (with NACA ducts), plus MANY other trick modifications

 

[Archive]

Terry, I have Bd Torque loc and Pressure Loc, I only use the TL for braking with the Ebrake and sometimes when towing and I want the truck to stay in 3th or 4th. I played with the lock-up speed and had it up to 45mph but set it back to Bd's setting. It needs to be 25mph so that 3rd will drop out, you need to shift out of OD or you get stall before drop out in 4th gear. I use TL rather than the "mystry switch" because of the automatic unlock at 25mph, the mystry switch can cause damage if you forget, etc.
I installed the OD switching feature so that OD is off when you start up.

I can show you how to chance the lock-up mph if you want to change yours.

I have also installed the low stall Bd torque converter and their valve body and I love it, the shifting is sure and there is no sliping of the TC. The low stall TC works really with the added power of the VA and boost mod. Rowells of NC did the work and they do outstanding work. I was having trouble getting the PL to work smoothly they fixed it. So anyone needing work in the NC, give Rowells a look.

98. 5/AT/3500/4x4/4. 1/Pulling 12k 5th wheel

davem

[This message has been edited by Dave McGalliard (edited 08-28-2000). ]