exhaust brake, pros & cons of different models?

[CTRice]

Hey Guys,

What does using a Pac-Brake instead of a Dealer installed Jake Brake mean for warranty coverage?? I don't mean for the Pac-Brake, but for the balance of the powertrain warranty???



I have an 06 3500QC/SB/4x4/48re with 14,000 miles and am planning on taking my Cardinal 5er over the Rockies this year.



Please don't say that I become my own warranty station if I install a Pac-Brake. I reallywant to use the best exhaust brake for the job.



Thanks, Chuck

 

[jelag]

There is no difference in warranty with the pacbrake or jacobs unit... it was expressed above that the PXRB maintains a higher back pressure over the jacobs to a lower RPM. . this is true...

With the pacbrake you can run air bags, air horns, and fill small tires... the compressor is not designed to handle large tires but in a fix I'd do it if it meant walking...

Both units above can either inter face with the ECM... or be switched on and off with a switch... . when connected to the ECM it will function when you remove your foot from the throttle... my guys leave them on most of the time and if they don't want the brake on will just lean their foot on the throttle and shut it down... . or flip the optional shifter mounted switch. .

It interfaces with all trucks 06 and above... all manuals from day one... and autos with an additional kit to lock the TC up...

We tow with several trucks and tow up to 22K lbs of trailer weight... the pac brake in the right gear will handle a 15K lb trailer down a 6% grade... after that some braking is required...

Our 04, towing a 20K lb trailer most of the time (90%) went 160K miles on the OE brakes... now has 260K miles. .

If you have specific questions drop me a note or post them here... . Hope this answers most of the questions above. .

 

[kblranch]

Jelag, have you seen the post about the Dodge dash mounted exhaust brake switch part number 510208AC? Would this switch work on my 2004 that has a Pacbrake?

 

[jelag]

I own a 08 5500 with that switch... . don't have a clue... if that switch has 2 terminals on it... . and it is a normally open set of contacts than yes it will work...

A normally open set of contacts is a switch that has no power running through it when its at rest... . Your horn button is that way. . its NO (normally open) until you press the button and than it passes power to the device your turning on... the horn button is a momentary contact... a light switch in a house is usually a NO set... .

Don't let me confuse you while I change the subject... . but a relay usually has 2 sets of contacts... one NO and one NC... normally open and normally closed...

does this help. .

 

[daytripper63]

If anyone interested in getting a Pacbrake for their truck but is afraid to spend the money cause they are not sure if it will really make a difference I will gladly let anyone in the Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto and Sparks Nv ( I regularly work in these areas) area or nearby go for a test drive in my truck, and I assure you it will be one of the best additions to your truck even if not towing. Plus I believe it can pay for itself just in less wear and tear of your brakes .

 

[SShafranko]

I am also in the market for one and the thing that is turning me away from the pac is that i am reading past threads about how the pac brake sticks in cold weather. My friend had one last year on his powerstroke and he was taking it apart and spraying it with wd40 once a week. (no exageration) The only thing that i ever hear about is that the pac brake has more retarding power. I think you have to be retarded to buy one after reading all those threads and seeing my friends. Thats just me

 

[KSHall]

What do I have to do to make a Pac Brake work on a 05 w/ a automatic?

 

[JCleary]

I am also in the market for one and the thing that is turning me away from the pac is that i am reading past threads about how the pac brake sticks in cold weather. My friend had one last year on his powerstroke and he was taking it apart and spraying it with wd40 once a week. (no exageration) The only thing that i ever hear about is that the pac brake has more retarding power. I think you have to be retarded to buy one after reading all those threads and seeing my friends. Thats just me

I'd rather deal with a PacBrake that won't engage than a Jacobs vacuum motor that grenades and leaves me stranded on the side of the road w/o a serpentine belt and possibly a damaged radiator.



[sarcastic comments removed:-laf]



All kidding aside, nothing manufactured by humans is going to be perfect. All the brakes, whether a Pac, Jake, BD or Banks all have pluses and minuses. Pick the one that you think has the best compromise...



I chose the PacBrake



People who have had both the Jake and PacBrake have stated that the PacBrake has more retarding power. The more the better, IMO.

 

[daytripper63]

I am also in the market for one and the thing that is turning me away from the pac is that i am reading past threads about how the pac brake sticks in cold weather. My friend had one last year on his powerstroke and he was taking it apart and spraying it with wd40 once a week. (no exageration) The only thing that i ever hear about is that the pac brake has more retarding power. I think you have to be retarded to buy one after reading all those threads and seeing my friends. Thats just me

I have only seen 1 thread about condensation freezing in the airline and never use WD40 to lubricate anything... WD40 is a more of a solvent than a lubricant. Let your friend know he needs to use a real lubricant

 

[MoparDave]

I installed the Pacbrake last fall no problems so far. Works very well

 

[BHolm]

Just so the difference in retarding power doesn't get too overblown... I have had the mopar jake on both an '06 auto and my '06 manual. I live and haul in the Colorado rockies. I have run at 24k gross, both trucks, most of the big passes in the state. The jake has enough retarding power to hold that big load back with little or no service brake use on looooong 6-7% grades. It does work, and it works well, no complaints here. My manual truck lost the vac pump at 89k miles, just a pump failure, no damage at all. The replacement pump was $92 from Rocky Mtn Cummins.



I am a little leary of a compressed air system and all of the winter I have to deal with. I know the big trucks rely on air for nearly everything but those systems have an air dryer to keep moisture out and everything working. On our little trucks that type of system is probably not feasible. So you are stuck adding airline antifreeze now and then to keep things clear.



So I am not sure there is a big advantage one way or another. As mentioned earlier, they all have their pitfalls. After 150k miles with the jake, I have no complaints.

 

[CDonaldson]

I have had NO issues with my PacBrake and cold temps, and it gets really cold at 7K ft elevation in the mountains.



PacBrake makes a lubricant, WD-40 does not lube, it actually IS a solvent-it cleans. I am very pleased with my PacBrake, does a fine job both running empty and towing, I am glad I chose it.



My neighbor has a 2008 truck with the Jacobs, he complains that it does not do as well as my PacBrake with similar loads pushing down grades. We both hauled some equipment for a friend, he was behind me, I had much better performance than he did out of my brake. He was on his brakes a lot, down a gear below me, I never touched my brakes - let the cruise control my speed and the brake. My neighbor is on his second compressor, the first one grenaded, it did do damage to his radiator and hood. All was fixed under warranty, but the down time was a couple weeks waiting for parts and the body shop work.



I will never have another truck without an exhaust brake, and my next truck will have a PacBrake too.



CD

 

[Tony D]

PAC BRAKE HANDS DOWN!

1. Easy to install.

2. Price for TDR members is discounted thru Jelag.

3. Customer Service/Support is awesome.

4. Operation is perfect!

5. Multi function air compressor.



Only con I would add is the down pipe v band clamps can be a pain in the arse to install. You have to pay attention to the position of the pipe!

 

[BHolm]

I have had NO issues with my PacBrake and cold temps, and it gets really cold at 7K ft elevation in the mountains.



PacBrake makes a lubricant, WD-40 does not lube, it actually IS a solvent-it cleans. I am very pleased with my PacBrake, does a fine job both running empty and towing, I am glad I chose it.



My neighbor has a 2008 truck with the Jacobs, he complains that it does not do as well as my PacBrake with similar loads pushing down grades. We both hauled some equipment for a friend, he was behind me, I had much better performance than he did out of my brake. He was on his brakes a lot, down a gear below me, I never touched my brakes - let the cruise control my speed and the brake. My neighbor is on his second compressor, the first one grenaded, it did do damage to his radiator and hood. All was fixed under warranty, but the down time was a couple weeks waiting for parts and the body shop work.



I will never have another truck without an exhaust brake, and my next truck will have a PacBrake too.



CD

If it is a 2008 truck doesn't it use the VNTurbo to act as an exhaust brake? I didn't think it would have the same vac pump set up as the 5. 9 engines.

 

[boomchadda]

Run the Jacobs not the PacBROKE!

 

[AH64ID]

If it is a 2008 truck doesn't it use the VNTurbo to act as an exhaust brake? I didn't think it would have the same vac pump set up as the 5. 9 engines.

Yeah, all 6. 7's use the VGT for the EB. There is no vacuum pump, nor any 08 5. 9's.

 

[CTRice]

Please understand my original question.



As I understand the situation, if I opt to have my Dodge dealer install a factory recommended exhaust brake (Jake-Brake), The unit may only be covered by a 12 month warranty. However, my vehicle powertrain warranty of ,in my case, 7yrs/84,000 miles will still be valid.



What happens if I decide to install a Pac-Brake myself instead of the factory recommended exhaust brake??? How does this affect my vehicle powertrain warranty??



Jelag merely discussed how the Pac-Brake functions differently from the Jake-Brake. Of course, his agenda is to sell more Pac-Brake units.



How does Chrysler view the installation of Pac-Brake vs. Jake-Brake exhaust brakes??



Thanks, Chuck

 

[AH64ID]

I know my local dealership is pretty much anti anything but dogde/cummins stuff. I can do airflow mods. . intake/exhaust... but no chips no other stuff... now they legally have to prove it caused the issue, however if they are anti-mods it will be much harder for me to get work done without lawyer $$$. .

I would talk to you local guys.

 

[daytripper63]

My local dealer still honors the warranty on my truck with the mods listed in my sig as long as the problem isn't obviously due to the mod.

I will say the only warranty I can think of since I bought my truck new was the alternator bracket, rear axle seals twice and a driveline output yoke.

 

[Cattletrkr]

No brake should void your warranty unless it's installed/functionly improperly. If you want to avoid issues but still want a non-Jacobs brake, ask your dealer if they will install a different brake. Then they can't say, "you installed it wrong".