Exhaust Brake and other mods on new truck?

[LBTRS]

Hello,



Have my new 2002 2500 6 speed HO on order and it should be here in August. I'm making a list of things to do right away and have a couple questions. Should I put on a exhaust brake if I won't be towing right away? Will I get any use out of it with a unloaded truck? Also, what's the prefered exhaust brake to use if I do put one on? The local shop wants to install a BD along with a BD 4" exhaust. This list of mods I'm doing right away are:



Spray in bedliner (turbo liner)

Westin Nerf Bars

Pro Flap Mud Flaps

Leer Cap

EGT and boost gauges

4" BD exhaust

Exhaust Brake?

K&N air cleaner



Anything else I should be looking at? I don't want to take any chance on voiding the warranty so I'm staying away from any mods which they might question. Thanks for any advice you can provide.

 

[Turbo Thom]

Ray:

1... . The first thing will be the mud flaps. Try to extend the side 1 1/2 -2 inches outside the fender. That will keep rocks off the quater panel.

2... . Next get a US Gear de-celerator exhaust brake. . It works well and is made to fit a 4" tube.

3... . Gauges are a must. Most of us in the SETDR have Auto-Meter. They work and are very good at nite.

4... . With the liner I bought the Rhino and should have gotten the Linex.

5... . If you want a K&N filter I will GIVE you mine. To tell the truth I don't know what to do with the filter situation. I now run an Amsoil because I don't like the stock filter. The Amsoil runs cleaner than the K&N.

6... . Enjoy the truck

.

. Preston

 

[jmeehan]

I just ordered my BD exhaust brake, I should have it next week. I plan on using it all the time, and I'm not towing anything yet either.

If you keep the stock turbo I think the turbo mount brake is the best way to go. The 4" pipe won't be a problem.

 

[Archive]

Regardless of which exhaust brake you choose, you will get plenty of use out of it without towing. It helps to warm up the engine in the winter, will save ya lots on your service brakes, etc.



I have the Cummins E Brake. They are all very good. The BD had the most braking power when I researched it in late 99. PacBrake is another good one. My fatherinlaw had a US Gears brake, and I thought it was pretty bad. Its the only one I would not recommend. Besides, going to the BD 4" exhaust does not mean you must have a 4 inch exhaust brake, unless you go to a bigger turbo(HX40). All of the other brakes can fit right behind your turbo... it simply replaces your stock elbow, which a 4" exhaust will not.

 

[dbrimhall]

Exhaust brake

Ray,



There seems to be a lot of opinions out there about exhaust brakes, so here is mine. I just installed the US Gears Decelerator. Got a great price at Central Truck and Diesel - Casper, WY. Installation was very easy - everything fit well and was straightforward. (Use a Sawzall to cut the exhaust pipe, works slick) The next day I drove 2800 miles to Prince Rupert and back, pulling a meduim weight trailer.



I love the performance of the brake, and wouldn't be without it, whether towing or not.



Also, because it is installed just in front of the muffler, and is oversized compared to the exhaust pipe diameter, I can be sure there is no restriction or disruption of gas flow out of my turbo. I believe that putting anything (like a butterfly) into a pipe the same diameter as your exhaust pipe (like all units that hang on the turbo) has to create some restriction.



It does make a somewhat loud click when it engages, but you get used to it. Also, if you ever lost vacuum for some reason, it would still function and give good braking, whereas with most of the other systems, you would lose your exhaust brake and the power boost on the truck brakes at the same time.



The unit appears to be very robust and well built, carrying a one year warranty, with a large dealer network country-wide. Another selling point for me, was that it gives the greatest amount of retarding power at the lowest engine RPM of any unit I looked into.



I like mine a lot, and highly recommend it, although I know others object to the click it makes when engaging.



Good luck!