Best Exhaust brake for my '07, 5.9, G56???

[seafish]

I wouldn't compare my 91 with the Jake with my 2005 with the Pacbrake 2 totally different animals, i never had a problem with the Jake and my only problem with the Pacbrake to date has been the aircompressor died a couple of months ago, I replaced it with a much bigger unit with 100 percent duty rating. Now I have plenty of air for whatever I may need in the future.

What compressor did you decide to go with and why did you pick it?

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks for the link. They list two PacBrake Kits for my 05. One for $922. 50 and the PRXB for $1'147. 50. What's the difference between the two. Do you plan on installing your own?. How difficult is it to install?

I was told that the PRXB was the better. I think that the PRXB has a variable flap that maximizes backpressure through the RPM range.

YES, I do plan on installing it myself. Never done one but it can't be that hard.

 

[KLeminks]

Something I've been thinking about with the price of fuel -- Does anyone have an idea how the Jacobs running off the vac pump would affect mpgs? I installed mine as soon as I bought my truck so I have no comparison. The only thing I don't like is that I ordered my '06 with an auto. I had a Pacbrake on my '02 6-speed and it could hold anything back without using my foot.

 

[icman95]

Hey guys,



I may be misunderstanding some of these posts, but some seem to doubt the Jacobs because of the vacuum pump. I get the vibe that some people think (and I could be wrong here) that the pump is installed because of the Jacobs e-brake. The pump is installed at the factory the day the engine was built. Among other things, it provides the power to engage 4wd. Wether or not you have a Jacobs, you still need the vacuum pump. The Jacobs was simply designed to use the vacuum that was already there.

 

[Grizzly]

Hey guys,

I may be misunderstanding some of these posts, but some seem to doubt the Jacobs because of the vacuum pump. I get the vibe that some people think (and I could be wrong here) that the pump is installed because of the Jacobs e-brake. The pump is installed at the factory the day the engine was built. Among other things, it provides the power to engage 4wd. Wether or not you have a Jacobs, you still need the vacuum pump. The Jacobs was simply designed to use the vacuum that was already there.

I believe that what KLeminks is sayings is that he knows the vacuum pump is there, but wants to know what effects the Jacobs will do to the mileage by running off the vac pump. My feeling is it should have none to very little effect.

 

[ENafziger]

I may be misunderstanding some of these posts, but some seem to doubt the Jacobs because of the vacuum pump. I get the vibe that some people think (and I could be wrong here) that the pump is installed because of the Jacobs e-brake. The pump is installed at the factory the day the engine was built. Among other things, it provides the power to engage 4wd. Wether or not you have a Jacobs, you still need the vacuum pump. The Jacobs was simply designed to use the vacuum that was already there. <!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- google_ad_section_end --><!-- / message --><!-- sig -->

You're thinking second gen. These 3rd gens don't have a factory installed vacuum pump. The front axle is engaged all the time, and the transfer case is either operated manually or electrically, depending on the option.

The vacuum pump being mentioned is installed as part of the Jacob's exhaust brake kit, and is located above the CP3. It is belt driven, and requires a longer than factory serpentine belt.

Many people (including myself) have had many problems with the Jacob's vacuum pumps. For a lot of people, they seem to have a 40k - 50k mile lifespan. Mine went out at 35,xxx.

--Eric

 

[ENafziger]

I believe that what KLeminks is sayings is that he knows the vacuum pump is there, but wants to know what effects the Jacobs will do to the mileage by running off the vac pump. My feeling is it should have none to very little effect.

The Jacob's vacuum pump is added as part of the exhaust brake kit, and is belt driven. I think he's asking what effect on fuel economy the additional parasitic loss of continuously running this pump will be. There is not a clutch that engages and disengages this pump; rather, it runs continously, whether the brake is activated or not.

Some have speculated too, that the additional exhaust restriction in the butterfly elbow portion of the brake has a detrimental effect on fuel economy as well.

It would be interesting if someone has data either way...

--Eric

 

[Grey Wolf]

US Gear D-Celerator Exhaust Brake here on both of my trucks. Electrical solenoid operation with no problems

 

[Grizzly]

The Jacob's vacuum pump is added as part of the exhaust brake kit, and is belt driven. I think he's asking what effect on fuel economy the additional parasitic loss of continuously running this pump will be. There is not a clutch that engages and disengages this pump; rather, it runs continously, whether the brake is activated or not.

Some have speculated too, that the additional exhaust restriction in the butterfly elbow portion of the brake has a detrimental effect on fuel economy as well.

It would be interesting if someone has data either way...

--Eric

Thank you for clearing that misunderstanding up, which further confirms my decision to go with the PacBrake.

 

[icman95]

enafziger,

You're absoultely right, I'm stuck in the past. I actually don't know anyone in my circle of friends that has a 3rd gen. We all have 2nds, so that's what I'm use to. If we were talking about the latest advancements in gasser engines, I'd probably say the double pumper carb was the latest greatest!:-laf



Thank you for helping me out.

 

[ENafziger]

You're absoultely right, I'm stuck in the past. I actually don't know anyone in my circle of friends that has a 3rd gen. We all have 2nds, so that's what I'm use to. If we were talking about the latest advancements in gasser engines, I'd probably say the double pumper carb was the latest greatest!:-laf

Not a problem... I stay confused 90% of the time anyway! :-laf My brother has a second gen that we just replaced the vacuum pump on, so I figured that's what you were talking about...

--Eric

 

[icman95]

Pacbrake Harold,



Sending PM regarding my previous posts here.

 

[Motorhead]

Well, I finished the install today of the Pacbrake PRXB. NICE!!! It works like you tied an anchor to the tail end.
I had never installed one but I have good mechanical knowledge (41years). I felt the instructions could have been better but I managed just fine. It will be nice when I hook the truck to the travel trailer this summer. Thanks to all for the tips and advice.

 

[icman95]

I would just like to follow up on my seemingly negative posts earlier regarding the reliability of the Pacbrakes. The problems I talked about are real and ongoing. However, I just happened to run into one of our mechanics and told him of Harold's offer to help. He said he'd forward Harold's number to the boss. Turns out my boss called Harold today to discuss our concerns and Harold was more than willing to help out. My boss is forwarding him pictures of the current setup we are using so that he can help us out. Harold is representing Pacbrake and their reputation with the utmost degree of professionalism and good customer support. I look forward to hearing more from my boss and Harold on the results of their discussions.



Thank you Harold and good luck with your e-brake, Motorhead.

 

[AH64ID]

I know you have made your purchase already, but oh well others may find the thread... .

Both dad and I have the Jacobs on my 05 and his 06, and they work great, even up here in Idaho and Montana where some of the hills are steep... I also do a fair amount of backroads driving and the level of braking is excellent. Some say they don't like how the Jake is less effective towards the bottom of the rpm range but for me that works great, if I have max braking at 1500 rpms I would have it turned off most the time, but the level of braking it gives me in that rpm range, towing or daily driving, is perfect... windy forest service roads with a TT are the best example, I don't have to touch my service brakes... and if it looks like I need some extra braking its a simple downshift away. .

just my . 02

 

[p-Bar]

I have the Jacobs on my 01. Had the dealer install it before I took delivery. Love every minute of it. Holds my truck and 5er just fine. I also felt good suporting a local company as Jake is HQ'd here in CT. The trucks we have at work (Kenworth T300 with Cummins 8. 3l) have Pacbrake exhaust brakes on them and most drivers and the boss/mechanics have not been impressed. We have finally worked out most of the kinks, but the majority of them have had problems. Some would go on and not turn off even at highway speeds. Some would not turn on at all. Some would be intermittent. Once, mine went on and just made a noise like someone was choking a duck. We have about 50 of them so it's not like just one or two did it. Most of them did. Like I said, they seem to be better now, but it leaves a lot of doubt in my mind. I have NEVER, NEVER, NEVER had a problem with my Jake. That being said, I'm sure that you will have plenty of people telling you they have had a problem with the Jake and not the Pac. This has simply been my experience with my truck and those at my yard.

I have a hard time believing that your fleet manager would have not contacted Pac on these brakes if they were having such problems. I as an individual I go right to the source and bypass all the idiots. Harold this is no reflection on you guys since you were never brought into the "loop". I will buy your product when the time comes.

 

[Grizzly]

Well, I finished the install today of the Pacbrake PRXB. NICE!!! It works like you tied an anchor to the tail end.

I had never installed one but I have good mechanical knowledge (41years). I felt the instructions could have been better but I managed just fine. It will be nice when I hook the truck to the travel trailer this summer. Thanks to all for the tips and advice.

How many hours did it take you, if you don't mind me asking?

 

[Motorhead]

How many hours did it take you, if you don't mind me asking?

I hate to tell you but I took about 10 hours to install it. I get rather "Perfectionist" when installing additions on my own vehicle. I think that you could do a good, general install in 4-5 hours. I spent additional time installing the shifter switch. The BD switch used round appliance cord for the switch. I didn't like that. I striped the outer round insulation off of the cord, removed the shift knob, strung the wires next to the shifter and put a sleeve of shrink tube over the shifter.
Yesterday, I went to a truck parts house and bought a cable accuated air tank drain. I hooked it up to the air tank and ran the cable through the opening of the drivers side fog light. Now I just pull the cable to drain any moisture off of the air tank.

 

[icman95]

I have a hard time believing that your fleet manager would have not contacted Pac on these brakes if they were having such problems. I as an individual I go right to the source and bypass all the idiots. Harold this is no reflection on you guys since you were never brought into the "loop". I will buy your product when the time comes.

I never once meant to imply that the company's customer service wasn't there. In fact if you look at my last post, you will see that Harold is helping us due to this thread. Since the trucks and e-brakes were bought from a local dealer the claims were going from my company to the dealer who, we would have assumed, were then contacting Harold to get help and fixes. As it turns out, Harold hasn't heard from this particular dealer in about 2 years and has just recently received some claims, though I don't think these particular ones were ours. My boss thinks that the dealership for one reason or another was eating the claims themselves. This is all information that we and Harold would not have know if it wasn't for this thread. My comments here are completely justified as to the failures of our equipment, but if I hadn't posted them here, we would have never made contact with Harold who is now trying to make it right. In the end, now that Harold and my boss have talked, they are working to correct the problem.



If there is any blame to be handed out it might be to the dealership that never contacted Harold. Neither he nor my boss are at fault for that.

 

[icman95]

Harold,



I sent you a PM last week regarding the problems mentioned here. It seems that my boss hasn't heard from you in quite some time and is still waiting for a satisfactory end to our Pacbrake problems. He grows more fustrated by the day. If you need his name and number, please PM me and I will get you all the contact information you need.



Thank you.