E-brake by Jacobs

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Has anyone installed the Jacobs E-brake on the 24 valve engine? If so, how long did it take and is it worth the money?

 

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I can't tell you about that particular Exhaust Brake, but I have installed the BD Exhaust Brake in a couple of 99 trucks. It took about 1 1/2 hours.

I think any exhaust brake on these trucks is worth the money! They do help alot when going down hill with a load! As to the automatic trucks; you need the BD Torqueloc unit. This device will keep the torque converter locked when you release the throttle, and keep the torque converter locked until you get down to around 25 MPH, then the TCC will unlock.

My 2 cents.

Wayne
amsoilman

 

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Wayne, thanks for that posting. You said more in a few sentences about how to do a truck with an A\T than I have read to date.
Thanks again, Pete

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99'3500,quad cab,4X4,a/t
3:54

 

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After careful research on exhaust brakes (especially retarding horsepower figures for BD, Pac Brake, Jacobs/Cummins E-Brake, and the US Gear Decelerator) I too purchased the BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc computer for my '98. 5 ISB auto. I was really impressed with the quality of the BD unit. BD's AutoLoc computer can installed in place of the TorqLoc to lock the TCC when the exhaust brake is activated (ONLY). In addition, one position of the three position TorqLoc switch will function the same as an AutoLoc (if an exhaust brake is installed and activated), another is for manual lock-up of the TCC in 3rd and OD, with the remaining switch position, OE TC operation.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto. , 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", 285 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc.

 

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Thanks for the replies, but I have a '99, 5 speed manual transmission. I was told by a "reputable" company that it took 8 hours to install. Does anyone actually have a Jacobs e-brake??

 

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TurboJ99,

Maybe they were thinking they would have to change the valve springs too. That would be a long time even for that operation(you already have the HD valve springs)--maybe that included going to lunch!! Either that or they really didn't want to mess with installing it!!

I can't see how it would take anything close to that time. I have a PacBrake on my 12 valve and I have had it off a couple of times and it takes about 1 hour to take it off and on by myself. With a "helper" it would take about 30-45 minutes. Maybe an additional hour to hookup the electrical part.

Was this the Dodge dealer or was it a Cummins distributer that quoted this price?

Bill

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97,3500,CC,4x2, Auto, 4. 10, All Options incl Leather, PacBrake, 3 Pos Lockup Switch, PrimeLoc,80% Towing 12,000+LB 5th Wheel, Mag-Hytec Covers on the way!!

 

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The Jacobs/Cummins E-brake is more time consuming to install than either the Pac-Brake or the BD as I had witnessed on an episode of Shadetree Mechanic, where they install the E-brake on a 12v Ram (valve springs not withstanding). I would venture to guess that would account for the time disparity.

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'98. 5 2500 QC 4x4, (black) SLT Sport, ISB, LWB, 3. 54 LSD, auto. , 275 hp. injectors, Glasstite Vision II "canopy", 285 BFG A/Ts on 16x8 M/T Challengers, Warn 4X Boards, Mopar fender flares, front and rear NW Custom stainless steel/rubber mud flaps, Mag-Hytec diff. cover and trans. pan, Edelbrock IAS shocks, VDO Vision gauges, BD exhaust brake and TorqLoc.

 

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Evan Beck installed an E Brake. Said it took about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. This convinced me to try it. The instructions are very easy to follow, and so far it is cake. I quit for the night, will finish in the morning. I was quoted $1295. 00, installed from the dealer. I emailed the companies and asked why. All of them were befuddled as to why, and wanted the name of my dealer. Spose I should have given it to them, but I may need warranty work... Anyway, several gave me names of companies in my area that would do it for less. Call them or email with your location. The price dropped to $775. 00 installed. A few emails for $500. 00... almost like being a member of the Farm Bureau! Agter working on mine, if you have changed your own muffler and wired a few stereos, you can install your own brake. Just keep the instructions closeby, and follow them!

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Rob Hanson
1999 3500 SLT 4X4 Cummins
Flame Red, Rhino, 6 spd
FX Running Boards, Cobra CB, Stinger Bug Shields, Mag-Hytec rear cover, Cummins E-Brake, Torklift Super Hitch

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

 

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Finished my e brake yesterday. Everything was well covered in the instructions, but I did have one problem. The red pin that goes into the ECM plug was just not quite long enough... Evan was coming by, so I waited for him(he's an electrician!)... He soldered some of the wire, just above the pin, filed it down, making it a hair longer. Snapped right into place. Put the fuel filter on, and fired it up. Of course, Evan, Mike and I had to go for a "test drive"... works great, really pulls ya down. Can't wait to haul a load...

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Rob Hanson
1999 3500 SLT 4X4 Cummins
Flame Red, Rhino, 6 spd
FX Running Boards, Cobra CB, Stinger Bug Shields, Mag-Hytec rear cover, Cummins E-Brake, Torklift Super Hitch

I'd rather be... .
Cummin than Strokin.

 

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(first of all, my truck is a 5-speed) I don't tow anything, and I don't have a heavy slide in camper, either. 90% of my driving is city traffic (unfortunately). I guess most people in my situation would figure that they don't need an exhaust brake. Well, let me tell you something, I use that exhaust brake every day, all the time, for the following situations:
coming up to red lights and stop signs,
getting off freeway off-ramps,
slowing down for traffic jams,
going down hills,
slowing down to make a turn, and
warming up the engine when it's cold.
I use the exhaust brake while downshifting. I have the push-pull switch (a BD option) on the shift lever, so it's right there at my fingertips. I match my rpm's by revving up slightly before I drop into the next lower gear (just like driving an 18-wheeler) so that I don't put much wear on the clutch. If I downshift into 2nd while in the process of coming to a stop, I can slow down the truck so much that I don't hardly use the brakes at all. I'm the type that takes my time coming up to a red light. I don't race up to it and slam on the brakes. My truck has 26k miles on it, and the brakes still look like they're brand new! I was surprised at how thick the front brake pads were when I rotated the tires recently.
It is my opinion that the single most useful accessory you could add to these trucks is an exhaust brake. I have the BD on mine. I've never had a problem with it. Like I mentioned on another posting: To me, the best accessories are the ones that you install and forget about them because they always work. The BD exhaust brake is definitely one of them. Excellent fit & finish and quality hardware, etc.
If you install an exhaust brake on your truck, you will find that you will use it a lot more than you thought you would! Especially you cold weather guys. Flipping on the exhaust brake after starting the engine will create some backpressure and put a load on the engine. Your coolant temp will be up to the thermostat opening point in a few minutes. Watch your EGT's, though. They will increase rapidly with the exhaust brake on. I never use the exhaust brake if I'm going to be shutting off the engine soon, such as getting off the freeway to fuel up.
One modification I did was add a microswitch on the clutch pedal in series with the one on the throttle pedal. This way when I push in the clutch to downshift, the exhaust brake automatically shuts off until I let out the clutch in the next lower gear, then it comes back on. This way it behaves just like the Jake Brake on the big rig I drive.
Andy


[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 09-20-1999). ]

 

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FYI:

shadetreemechanic.com indicates a November 14, 1999 rebroadcast of the Jacobs E-brake program. "Sam & Dave will install the mechanical & electrical components of the Cummins Exhaust Brake by Jacobs & demonstrate its operation. "

My cable service indicates that it will be shown on TNN - BEST OF SHADETREE MECHANIC at 2:30 P. M.

I'm in Southern California.