E-Brake on 1st Gen w/ Auto transmission

[Midnite]

Is anyone running an exhaust brake on their 1st gen with an automatic transmission?



I guess my big question is whether there are any "gotchas" given that, at least on my '92, it's got a non-lockup torque converter. Isn't TC lockup necessary for e-brake use?



Thanks,

Mike

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Mike,



Putting an exhaust brake on 1st generation Dodge is of a minimal to uselss value. Without a tc clutch it is like trying to use a manual transmission with with the clutch disengaged.

 

[paccool]

I have one on my 93, never use it cause it doesn't do very much and always hangs in the "on " position. I just shift down and let the motor hold the truck back.

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by Bill Kondolay

Putting an exhaust brake on 1st generation Dodge is of a minimal to uselss value. Without a tc clutch it is like trying to use a manual transmission with with the clutch disengaged.

Ahh--okay, that's was I was afraid of. Oh well...



Thanks Bill!

Mike

 

[fastmark]

That's why I put a stick in my new crew cab. My BD brake is like throwing out a parachute!

 

[Wayne M.]

Fastmark, What was involved in putting the man. trans in your truck. was it an Auto? How was it setting up the hyd. clutch, Etc. ?(The crew cab should have had a mechanical clutch) I am considering the swap for my truck, but worry about the firewall and pedal aspect of the job.

 

[Joe G.]

In spite of the above, an exhaust brake DOES work on a '93! At least it works on Chuck Goode's emaculate machine, Old Iron Wheels. If you have TDR #14 there is a letter from him on page 6 about his PacBrake. He and I exchange e-mails a lot and I've encouraged him to sign up instead of just lurking. He mentioned this thread to me so I thought I might say something. The following is a quote from his latest note to me:



"GOING DOWN ASHLAND SUMMIT TO ASHLAND OREGON, ITS ABOUT A 6% GRADE ACCORDING TO THE HIGHWAY SIGN. THIS FOR ABOUT 7 MILES. THE FIRST YEAR GOING TO ASHLAND WE HAD TO HIT THE BRAKES CONSTANTLY EVEN IN TIMES OF SHIFTING DOWN TO SECOND GEAR. THE YEAR AFTER THE PAC/BRAKE INSTALLATION WE RETURNED TO ASHLAND VIA THE SAME ROUTE. GOING DOWN THIS WAS A REVELATION. IN JUST DIRECT GEAR, WITH THE

PAC/BRAKE ON, IT KEPT OLD IRON WHEELS @ 55 MPH. MARY ANN & I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT. THE MECHANIC AT CARSON DODGE AS WELL AS THE PAC/BRAKE MAN AT MAY

MADNESS, SUGGESTED TO CHANGE TO THE 60 LB. SPRINGS, WHICH I DID. "



I hope this is some help to you guys.

 

[Bill Kondolay]

Joe,



How good would your exhaust brake work on your own personal truck without the mystery switch engaged?



I run into lots of 91 - 93 dodge rams with exhaust brakes , on them, almost every single one of the owners feel the same way as that article you quoted.



However , it is not until after they have driven a truck with the lock up system engaged do they realize how in - effective their systems are.



Its not that it cant be done, lots of guys do it, its just not really as effective as a truck with the lockup cluctch engaged.



It is the same as it would be with your personal truck if you did not use lockup during exhaust brake applications.

 

[Joe G.]

Bill,



I know that my stock '95 without the switch would not hold back at all. Chuck's '93 will. It's not as good as mine with the TCC locked but it does in fact work. I'm wondering if the TC used with the 37RH is more efficient than the stock 47RH TC. There was no V10 to share it with at that time. Chuck goes down Donner with little or no use of his service brakes. He says that with the brake if there is light traffic he can maintain about 55 or so without using the service brakes. Without the PacBrake he has to use his service brakes quite a bit.

 

[jsimpson]

It seems to me that a tighter aftermarket torque convertor should make quite a difference in exhaust brake operation, as well as in cruise rpm. And it wouldn't have the problems inherent in lockup convertors.

 

[Midnite]

Originally posted by Bill Kondolay

Its not that it cant be done, lots of guys do it, its just not really as effective as a truck with the lockup cluctch engaged.

Bill, if I went with a good aftermarket TC, would that improve the exhaust brake effectiveness?



If I did get an E-brake now but didn't upgrade the transmission, would I be stressing the hell out of the completely stock transmission?



Thanks,

Mike

 

[SnoKing]

I had a Pac Brake on my 93 and the 60 lb valve springs. It would help slow things down on a hill somewhat, except for one BIG problem. You can run the transmission temp right off the scale in just a few miles. TC are designed to work going under power and not compression. I talked to Bill K. about a new TC and decided on a new truck. If you are going to do it, make sure you can measure transmission temps both in the transmission pan and at outlet. Two senders a switch and one gauge works. Combine this issue with a truck that has bad brakes to start with, and you will see way I opted for a new truck.



Now to just get pass 3 years and 36K so I can VB and TC the new one.



Snow King

 

[jsimpson]

I solved the problem. I bought a 94 with a 5-speed. Now I'll sell the 89 for enough to pay for it. In the transition, I get more comfortable seats, better injector pump and power mirrors. That makes it worth giving up my gen1 styling and toughness.