Exhaust Brake

[plntmgr]

Will be on the road soon, and will need an exhaust brake. Pros and cons from you professionals. Need the feedback.


'98. 5 2500 Quad 3. 55 Standard accessories

'92 Sierra 32' 5th Wheel

 

[Steve Campbell]

Basically, there are two types. Pac brake and E brake have an orifice in the butterfly sized so as not create too much back pressure even at rated rpm. BD and US Gear have a "wastegate" that allows the pressure to build up to "max" at a lower rpm. Hence, more retarding at a lower rpm. Because of the technology difference, there is a corresponding price difference between the models. Hope that helps some.

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1999 Qcab 4x4 Driftwood
Steve

 

[TowPro]

I went through this a couple weeks ago. I looked at all the dyno graphs, and looked at the RPM that I do all my driving in (1500-2000) and decided on the BD. With the BD you have much more braking power in those RMP's. Now I use it all the time.

Things to know.
Don't use it in the snow or ice.
you need to turn it off just before you get where your going so the trubo (EGT's) will cool off.
My truck runs about 250 deg at idle without the brake, and 400 deg with the brake. I can go out in the AM, start the truck, turn on the brake, come back 3-5 minutes later and have heat! (the primary reason I bought it)Now I can't wait to pull my 5th wheel to see how it works there (the 2nd reason I bought it)

Originally posted by plntmgr:
Will be on the road soon, and will need an exhaust brake. Pros and cons from you professionals. Need the feedback.


'98. 5 2500 Quad 3. 55 Standard accessories

'92 Sierra 32' 5th Wheel

 

[BCFAST]

To me, it was always in favor of the US Gear unit... quiet operation and more power at low revs.

 

[JCrawford]

I just went with the Jacobs E-brake. After much vacillation among the choices, I went with it because it is approved by Cummins and Dodge and installed by them. I wanted to avoid any warranty issues. If bought from Cummins it is cheaper and carries a 5 year 100,000 mile warranty the same as the engine. If purchased from a Dodge dealer it costs more and only has a 3 year 36000 warranty. Go figure.

 

[Alaskdave]

I installed a Pac-Brake. I leave it on all the time, It is just great while towing and I think it will save at least one brake job over the life of the vehicle. I drag a 27' fifth wheel and am happy with the performance
Dave

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96 2500 4x4 5sp 3. 5 gears TST#6 16 cm2 K&N Geno's Combo Gage Pac Brake Aux tank 15K 5er hitch
HF/VHF/UHF mobile KG7HD

 

[Turbo Thom]

On mine I bought the US Gear with the waste gate. I liked the mounting system. I now have 187,000 miles on the truck with one front pad change and still on the OEM rear. I use the brake all the time, loaded or empty. Couldn't drive without it now.
Happy braking.
Preston

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96 3500, Black SLT, 5 speed, turbo diesel, , with US Gear overdrive, Rhino liner, Reese 15,000 lb. fifth wheel hitch, US Gear de-celarator exhaust brake, muffler elimination kit, Amsoil lub. , Mag-hytec rear cover, dual-remote by-pass filters, and Roadmaster Active system

 

[plntmgr]

The quietness of the US Gear may have sold me between that and the BD Brake. Does anyone have an address or web site?
I knew I could count on Dodge guys. Every one else are wannabe's.

 

[rootmanslim]

I assume you have a manual transmission!! The poor sucker who owned mine before me got sold a billof goods by Cummins dealer and put one on this truck w/an auto trans. Does nothing to slow it down w/o trans. mods that I don't need. But it looks nice! Glad it was not my $1700. 00!




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95 2500 2 wd auto red/silver 88K mi, cap, camper and horse trailer.
Summers in NW WY, winters in Key West. Horses, dogs, hunting, fishing, SCUBA, USAF vet & NRA Life Member... can there be more?

 

[Archive]

Rootmanslim... If he paid $1700. 00, he got screwed twice! I bought my e brake from cummins, paid $675. 00, which included the tax, took it home and installed it in a few hours. Hardest part is cutting a hole in your dash for the switch!

Cummins has been buying them back from the auto transmission guys...

By thw way, I think the e brake is my most used BOMB.

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Rob Hanson
1999 "Big Red", 3500 SLT QC 4X4 6 spd, 4. 10 LSD, Braided SS fuel lines, Mag-Hytec Rear Cover, Cummins E-Brake, Blue Box, DD3 Injectors, Banks High Ram and 14cm Wastegated Turbo, All-steel Cowl Induction Hood, Cummins RED Valve Cover, Rhino, Rosewood Kit, Scotty System, SportComp Gauges, TorkLift SuperHitch, Tekonsha Brake Controller, Rear Flood lights, Cobra CB, DeeZee Running Boards, BD 2WD Low kit, Air Lift bags, Hitco exhaust blanket, air horns and a Geno's "I tromped a Ford" decal. Member of BOMB! (WW NW Chapter)

MyPics.com (pics updated 01/20/01)

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

 

[plntmgr]

I've got the auto with a 3. 55 rear end. Tell me more. What would be the best for stopping me and my 5er?

 

[Joe G.]

plntmgr,

The situation is that with a stock automatic setup any exhaust brake is worthless. You have to modify the controls so that the TCC stays locked at idle throttle. Best to talk to Bill Kondolay at: kondolay@home.com about this. His is the auto trans MAN!


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Joe George
Eureka, CA

'95 2500 CC auto 4X4,3. 54,Combo EGT/boost guage,custom switch panel,PacBrake,TST #5,BD valve body,Automatic motorhome steps on both sides,Foldacover hard bed cover,Cummins chrome kit,Black steel grill guard,Front hitch receiver

 

[Archive]

Madams... you make some very good points!

One slight correction, tho... the warranty issues are even more specific with the auto... the post above states he has the auto, and Dodge has forced/whatever Cummins to "buy back" all exhaust brakes sold to owners with the autos. Therefore, if I owned an auto, I would not trust warranty issues just because I installed an E Brake.

I am not saying that the e brake is not good... I love mine. I am just saying that any brake on an auto will raise their eyebrows... even the E brake.
A combination of Joe G. 's post and madams says it all.

[This message has been edited by Rob Hanson (edited 02-04-2001). ]

 

[FIGHT'N IRISH]

So It would be in my best interest to go with the Cummins/Jacobs E-brake... I was actually going to order the BD unit tomorrow 2-5-01. Guess I am going to rethink

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2001. 5 QC,LB,5spd... 4X4 Patriot Blue.
Mother Made Ya, Mother F#@$ YA

 

[plntmgr]

Thanks for all the info. This gives me time to reconsider. Your help is appreciated!!

 

[BCFAST]

plntmgr, if you are pulling a 5er, the absolute best thing you can do for yourself is trade your truck for a manual... it is the only way to be safe pulling a load. My $. 02

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97 2500 CC 4x4 3. 54 5spd, Green, #12 plate slid all the way forward, 4inch open exhaust, 235/85 Michelins, RS 9000's, PrimeLoc, Red Tops, TDR cloisonae grill badge!

 

[madams]

FIGHT'N IRISH;

Make the calls yourself. The BD is the better brake when compared to the jacobs.

Call BD . . call Cummins. Present the above information to the service managers and see what they say before you change your mind.

There are some internal engine changes from the 2000 to the 2001. Beefier in the critical areas. Others may want to speak to this. The BD might be approved by cummins for the 2001's . . but you gotta ask. I do not know.

Call the E-Brake vendor and ask . . Does Cummins approve the use of your brake? Get it in writing.

Then call Cummins, NOT the Dealer and ask . . are their any warrenty concerns using brand X's brake? Then make your decision. Remember it's Cummins who determines whether they'll honor the 5yr 100k mile engine warrenty after the 3/36.

PLNTMGR . . I missed the note about the auto . . I totally agree with Rob . . everything I read is that's a no-no.

For the other TDR readers . . I deleted my post . . I'm was not speaking from experience . . just info / data obtained from vendor web sites and this board, my findings from my research of this topic / item. The fact my post changed someone's mind gives me great grief since Im not a professional. Although this is an open forum and all comments were solicited . . I just have issues with my comments swaying someone from a great product, that was not my intent . . and I appoligize.

Guess I'm a wimp . . but I'll stick to the engine manufacturers recommended e-brake for warrenty issues. And for my 2000 thats the Jacobs or Pacbrake . . That's my choice.

Michael

[This message has been edited by madams (edited 02-05-2001). ]