exhaust brake, pros & cons of different models?

[SKneeland]

im considering installing an exhaust brake now that i have my new 5th wheel.

whats some pros & cons of the different models available?

is the jacobs brake install & factory interface from dodge worth it?



keep in mind ill likely be building a set of twins down the road, keeping the stock turbo & adding a B2 or HT3B

 

[ENafziger]

Jake brake is a con, and pac brake is a pro.

I have the jake and it works alright, but the vacuum pump went out at 35k. It took out the serpentine belt, tensioner pulley, fan shroud, etc. This seems to be a very common occurance on these pumps.

Doing over, I'd definately go with the Pac brake. Air compressor instead of vacuum operated, works better in the low rpm's, and no vacuum pump to go out and leave you stranded, ruining the only vacation you were able to take in 2 years :{

 

[CHolman]

PAC BRAKE ALL THE WAY... . I just used it to air up some stuff this weekend that other wise I would have been scr**ed doing otherwise...

 

[SKneeland]

i already have a compressor on board for the airbags... hmm

what about the banks brake or BD??

 

[DE Jeeper]

Skip the MOPAR one. I am on my 4th pump in 135k. I would go PAC and I will be switching when I get my twins. "Jelag" on the board said he can set one up behind the elbow so you don't have interfearence with the twins. He said he can custom set the back pressure. I would wait until you get the twins on so you can make sure it will all fit.



Aaron

 

[231jasonS]

Is the Mopar computer programing a must for the automatic?



Or can you safely use the PAC with an Auto?

 

[DE Jeeper]

Not sure how the new ones are for the auto, but my Jake just taps into the main ECM. The programing comes with the truck.



Aaron

 

[231jasonS]

Not sure how the new ones are for the auto, but my Jake just taps into the main ECM. The programing comes with the truck.



Aaron

Right..... but does anyone have experiance with a non factory brake on an automatic. I know the 06 has the factory option that is controlled by the ECM, but what about the Pac or other with an Auto?

 

[Road9]

pacbrake works with factory ecm on 06 ,works great!

 

[seafish]

Does the PXRB also work with the ECM on an 05 with manual transmission?
Also, I am wondering if the turbo mount PXRB can be used with the cool blue hose? Thanks.

 

[BHolm]

Does the PXRB also work with the ECM on an 05 with manual transmission?

Also, I am wondering if the turbo mount PXRB can be used with the cool blue hose? Thanks.

On a manual there is no need for the ECM interface. It is hooked in on the auto trucks to make sure the convertor locks up before/while the brake is operating. This isn't an issue with the manual so any brake will work.



I have had the Jake on both manual and auto '06s now. It works much better with the manual trans as you have way more control and can use it below 20 mph. The auto version doesn't work in first gear (no lock-up) and I have a lot of slow (25mph) mtn road to traverse.



The next one I get will definately be the Pac brake though. The compressed air feature makes way more sense to me than the vac pump and its multiple issues.

 

[RMachida]

Yes, the Pac works through the ECM with the manual as well. The switch tells the ECM you wanted to use it and the computer controls the brake. Unlike the auto, it stays on until you've stopped.

 

[archer2500]

I had my jake brake installed at 1500 miles and now at 74,000 my vacuum pump just failed. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice?

 

[ColemanR]

My jake failed at 125k (pump) Im at 198k heard lots of good things about the pacbrake if I had it to do over I would probubly change to pacbrake just for the compressor(I have air bags and a compressor) But I would not be with out an exaust brake period!!!!! Randy

 

[CDonaldson]

PacBrake or an air powered brake is the only way to go. I have a friend with a Jacobs on his 2006 and he has had several problems in a relatively short period of time. He is now going to remove the Jacobs and go with a PacBrake.



CFish - You have NO problems installing the PacBrake on your truck with the standard transmission. As far as the Cool Blue Hose, it should not be a problem either. You might want to make sure you are using spring clamps, but then they should be used with any silicone hose. If you have the TAG, that may be an issue, and may need to be removed. Keep in mind that people are using the PacBrake with the stock plastic torque tube, if it can handle the job then anything aftermarket made of better construction should also do well.



There may be someone here running the Cool Blue Hose with a PacBrake that can answer your question with first-hand experience.



CD

 

[captainmike]

I have an '06 with auto and I installed the Pacbrake PRXB in the driveway. Fairly easy installation. As mentioned above it works through the ECM with the auto. Only 2 wires to connect to the ECM, again fairly easy, one to a dash mounted sw and the other to activate the brake. Turning it on puts the truck in TOW/Haul, but the brake does not activate until you take your foot off the gas. It does disengage below 20 mph. The brake works very well and I am completely satisfied with it. The 12V air compressor is nice and the kit comes with a complete set of air hoses and adapters for tire filling and such.

Go with the Pacbrake. Mike

 

[JCleary]

Is the Mopar computer programing a must for the automatic?



Or can you safely use the PAC with an Auto?

The PacBrake is controlled by the Cummins ECM, just like the Jacobs.



It works GREAT! Having on-board air is cool, too.

 

[JCleary]

i already have a compressor on board for the airbags... hmm

what about the banks brake or BD??

AFAIK both the Jacobs and Banks brakes are vacuum operated. I would skip those.



The PRXB is a variable orifice brake, which has a spring that actuates a valve on the flapper in the exhaust stream. As the RPM's come down, the valve is closed generating more retarding horsepower than a fixed-orifice brake like the Jacobs.



The BD brake is also air-operated. It actually uses air pressure to hold the valve closed as the rpms drop. The lower the exhaust flow, the more the valve closes (to a point). It also has more retarding hp than the fixed orifice style. BD claims theirs is better than the PacBrake because there are no moving parts inside the exhaust stream to get sooted up. I can't say which one is better as I only have experience with one.



All I know is that I have never heard anything bad about the PacBrake, and tons of great reviews. That, and the price that jelag gives TDR members sealed the deal for me!

 

[AH64ID]

Both dad and I have the Jake... works great...

 

[archer2500]

Update!!!

I had my jake brake installed at 1500 miles and now at 74,000 my vacuum pump just failed. Has this happened to anyone else? Any advice?

!!!UPDATE!!!

I called the local Dodge dealer and after assuring them that the Jacobs exhaust brake was a factory authorized item, they quoted me $750 just for the pump!! I called the Cummins repair shop in Bloomington, IL and took the truck in. They charged me a whopping $184 for the vac pump. Avoid the Dodge dealer at all costs!!