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

[Motorhead]

I don't want to start a WAR here but I want some honest opinions on which Exhaust brake is best for my truck. Please list ANY pros and cons and any trouble you have had.
I am leaning toward the AIR PRESSURE activated style and not the vacuum style. I will poll you guys so we all can see the most popular set-up.

 

[Motorhead]

Sorry that the poll didn't show up. I forgot to check the poll option. It wouldn't let me do it after the fact.

ANYBODY????

 

[TBittner]

I have the jacobs exhaust brake and have no complaints.

 

[Pakrat]

On my '01 I had a Jacobs brake and on the '05 I have a Pak Brake. I think the Jacobs is a better brake. Pak Brake doesn't slow the truck and trailer down enough.

Larry

 

[CDonaldson]

I am VERY SATISFIED with my PacBrake. It has performed to perfection. Living where I do in New Mexico, all hills/mountains in every direction, most are at least 6% grades, some more. The PacBrake holds my 14-18K loads back perfectly, no complaints. I would buy another one in a NY minute for my next truck.



CD

 

[ELehan]

Best Exhaust Brake

I put the Jake on my 07 last Jan(07) and have put 70K on my truck transporting RV's. I love it and have not had any problems with it. I doubt I will ever need new brakes. Between the Jake and the trailer brakes, slowing and stopping are a breeze.

 

[Pacbrake]

On my '01 I had a Jacobs brake and on the '05 I have a Pak Brake. I think the Jacobs is a better brake. Pak Brake doesn't slow the truck and trailer down enough.

Larry

Houston we have a problem, Your 05 truck, the Pacbrake brake should be holding like Jack the bear, I need you to call me so we can do some trouble shooting checks to see whats wrong with your brake. 1-800-663-0096

 

[Paddy McMahon]

I have had the Pac Brake set up running for the last 30K miles without problems. This really helps to slow the truck and is far more efffective for those running manual transmissions. I recieved great customer service from their vendors, and a TDR discount to boot. As far as the air compresor goes I would not consider this feature for it's added ability to inflate aired down truck size tires unless you have an entire afternoon to devote to the task. The air tank size and compressor output is very limited as is the duty cycle when needed to put 20psi back in to a set of tires.

 

[ENafziger]

I had the Jacob's installed by the dealer when the truck was new. While it is effective, it's braking effectiveness decreases with decreasing rpm. The PacBrake design attempts to maintain maximum braking throughout the rpm range.

Moreover, many people have had repeated problems with the vacuum pump used with the Jacob's brake. My pump failed catastrophically at 35k miles, snapped the serpentine belt, broke the tensioner pulley, broke the fan shroud, and sent the pulley into the back of the radiator... not a comfortable thing to happen, especially pulling a trailer and packed with camping gear while heading out on vacation.

I'd go with the Pac.

--Eric

 

[icman95]

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.

 

[jelag]

We own several trucks all running the PacBrake... we used to distribute Jacobs years ago... and frankly felt that the PacBrake was a better design... . you need to go to both web sights and look for your self... .

I can tell you that we have no problem holding 15K lbs of trailer weight down a 6% grade... over 18K in trailer weight and we have to add some braking... we have an 04 that hauls a 22K lb trailer and we did the brakes the first time on the truck at 160K miles...

Lots of safety margin and brake life with the Pac but you need to look at the web sights and if you have questions on the Pac either Harold from PacBrake or I'll be happy to answer them for you... .

Harold is right about Pakrat... . he has a problem and needs to have it dealt with... . there is no reason to be unhappy... .

BTW - if you later intend to add air bags, air horn, etc... the compressor and kit that comes with the pacbrake will handle these items as well... .

 

[Pacbrake]

Icman95 if your fleet is having as many issues with the Pacbrake as you claim I would like to talk with your Maintenance director/mechanic. I have been with Pacbrake Company for the last 20 years 10 of which as the Warranty Manager dealing with any technical and or warrantable issue in the field. Please have the Maintenance director / mechanic call me at 1-800-663-0096 or PM me with his/hers name and number, I will contact them to verify and help resolve the issues.

 

[Motorhead]

Well, I ordered a Pacbrake PXRB today for my '07, 5. 9.
Thanks to all for the suggestions and seeing Packbrake Harold chime in for guys that had some problems, I feel I will be well supported.

 

[Grizzly]

This has been a most interesting thread as I am close to selecting an exhaust brake for my 05. From everything I read and hear, I will go with the PacBrake. I just can't spend that much $$ right now. Thanks for all the good and bad comments.

 

[icman95]

Harold,



I appreciate the offer, but like I said they seem to have worked out the kinks for the most part. I am not privy to the exact mechanical details of what they came up with, but I know they were in close contact with the dealer and his service dept. to come up with a solution. Mine went in for the same problem three times before getting fixed but problem solved eventually. This problem started a few years ago with us and lasted until they figured it out-though it took a while. About three months ago I ran into another driver who was writing up the same problem but that's the first time I've heard about it since they seem to have put a handle on it. One of the reasons this was particularly notable for us is that this was the first time my company bought any sort of engine brake. Prior to '04 our entire fleet was from International with their DT466 engines. After incredible problems with the newer model year Int's, the boss decided to try the KW/Cummins combo which came with exhaust brakes. Every driver was excited about these new trucks and features. This is why such a thing was way up on our radar screen. Hopefully all will be smooth from here on in.

 

[Motorhead]

This has been a most interesting thread as I am close to selecting an exhaust brake for my 05. From everything I read and hear, I will go with the PacBrake. I just can't spend that much $$ right now. Thanks for all the good and bad comments.

Check this place. Guaranteed Auto Parts - Your Leader in Diesel Performance 1-800-790-0915 I bought a Pacbrake PRXB and a push-pull shifter switch for $1120. 00 with free delivery.

 

[Mrudolph]

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.

 

[JCleary]

Well, I ordered a Pacbrake PXRB today for my '07, 5. 9.

Thanks to all for the suggestions and seeing Packbrake Harold chime in for guys that had some problems, I feel I will be well supported.

Yeah, Buddy!



That was *the first* mod on my new truck. What a great thing to have! I have no complaints. Towing 10-12k, no touching of the brakes over the grapevine, in fact I had to hit the go-pedal to shut the brake off at times it's so effective...



I considered the Jake, but was scared of the vacuum pump. I'm glad I bought my PacBrake from jelag! Smokin' deal!

 

[Dan Simmonds]

Motorhead:



That was money well spend - you'll be glad.

 

[Grizzly]

Check this place. Guaranteed Auto Parts - Your Leader in Diesel Performance 1-800-790-0915 I bought a Pacbrake PXRB and a push-pull shifter switch for $1120. 00 with free delivery.

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?