Exhaust Brake

[jeepit]

Ok, Starting to look at exhaust brakes. What would work best for my truck. What brand is best and what is easiest to install??

 

[Radshooter]

I really like my Jacobs. I had the dealer insall it a few months after I bought the truck. We pull an 18K fiver all over western USA, and it really makes a difference. I went with the Jacobs for warranty purposes. It is vacuum activated. If my truck was not under warranty at the time, I would have looked hard at PacBrake, or BD Brake. They work with compressed air, so I would have the benefit of an onboard air compressor for tires and such.

Good luck..... Steve

 

[KKohagen]

I decided on a PacBrake. Our trucks can't use the newer PRXB PacBrake due to a different turbo etc. . I put the previous generation PacBrake on my truck. No issues. It took me more time to get the little plastic plug out of the ECM harness than it did to actually install the brake, not including the wiring portion.
Overall it took me ~ 4-6 hours or so. I also got mine from Jim with Pacific Brake and Clutch, member JELAG. PM him he can help you out with any details etc...

 

[flyairam]

PacBrake PRXB is what I chose, primarily because I'd rather have electic/pressure actuation than the Jacobs belt driven vacuum pump.



Jejag, a member on this board, had the best price and is always available for consultation/advice whenever needed. A class act.



Good luck.



Randy

 

[ScottLewis]

I ran a BD Turbo mount on my '98 and except for having to clean the spool valve once, never had any problem with it. I have a Jacobs on my '06 and am happy with it as well. That said, If I were starting from scratch, I'd consider a Pac because of the air actuation and having on-board air capability. I've heard too many horror stories about the Jacobs vacuum pump to be real comfortable with it although it does work great.



Dan

 

[Fireman]

I think they all do a good job, wouldn't be without one.

 

[FLynes]

Mine came with the dealer installed Mopar Jacobs, and I love it. The only thing I would like to have it engage a bit quicker. I don't know if there's an adjustment for that or not.

 

[Midnight]

I decided on the BD model. I liked the idea of having a compressor to activate it, and not having to mess with changing the belt to a different size. I teed into the regulator and now have a quick disconnect under the hood(should i ever need it).

 

[dcoffman]

I really like my Jacobs. I had the dealer insall it a few months after I bought the truck. We pull an 18K fiver all over western USA, and it really makes a difference. I went with the Jacobs for warranty purposes. It is vacuum activated. If my truck was not under warranty at the time, I would have looked hard at PacBrake, or BD Brake. They work with compressed air, so I would have the benefit of an onboard air compressor for tires and such.



Good luck..... Steve

My PAC-BRAKE is electric over vacuum and it works great,wouldn't be without one of any brand. Installed it myself in about 1. 5 hrs.

 

[Ram4Sam]

I've went with a BD brake, been on since sometime in 01'. Works today like the day I put it on, not a single issue since then. It's powered by the vac pump already on the truck so no extra pumps, motors, etc. I ditched all the the pedal switches, brackets, etc. and put a two speed switch on the shift lever. No ecm hookup so real simple and reliable, just pull the liitle red button when I feel the need.



Sam

 

[J&LRam]

I have the Jacobs on my '03 HO NV5600. Installed when new for 295 bucks as part of Dodge Businesslink program. The brake worked great with zero problems. If I had a used truck I would install a Pacbrake PRXB as the put out a little more brake hp at 1500-2000 rpm per their new design. All have the same max braking hp at max rpms. The Pacbrake has a electric compressor for operating the valve. Jacobs uses a mounted vaccum pump that is very expensive to replace with a much longer serpintine belt. For those reasons I would go with a Pacbrake vs Jacobs. Both are first class.

JIM

 

[Fireman]

Jacobs uses a mounted vaccum pump that is very expensive to replace with a much longer serpintine belt.

JIM

Jim,



Just replaced the vacuum pump on my '03, $90. 33 from Cummins. Not as expensive as an air compressor. My belt was good, but Geno's sells them for about $80.

 

[CHinton]

I've got the Pacbrake and really like it. On my last oil-change I noticed that 3 of the 4 bolts that hold the compressor to it's mounting plate were gone and replaced them with new bolts and nuts with the plastic lock.

Be prepared for a lot of interest in your truck after you install it (at least mine hisses like a dragon when engaged). I have all kinds of folks come tell me 1- my air brakes sound cool, 2- My tires have an awful leak, or just want to know what's wrong with my truck.

 

[Fireman]

Be prepared for a lot of interest in your truck after you install it (at least mine hisses like a dragon when engaged). I have all kinds of folks come tell me 1- my air brakes sound cool, 2- My tires have an awful leak, or just want to know what's wrong with my truck.

I get that quite often, but one time it was very disturbing. The time I carried it in to the dealer for a recall. The Tech that did he work said "you have a bad air leak in the back of your truck" I said " Really ?":-laf Doesn't give one a warm feeling about the service dept.

 

[Pacbrake]

The Pacbrake comes with a 3 year 100,000 miles parts and Labor warranty The new PRXB exhaust brake is available on almost all of the generation Dodges. Talk to Jlag or give us a call as to what kit will fit your needs.

 

[JSchooley]

I put the BD on my 01 1/2 HO with 6 speed. I'm very happy with it and have installed another on my 05.



I mounted a simple switch on the steering column to activate it. It has worked flawless and comes on instantly when I press the switch.



If you have an automatic you need to talk to BD or Pac Brake about a transmission controller.



I am puzzled about the hiss reported with the pac brake. Mine does that occationally when it is cold but I am sure that is an exhaust leak. Otherwise, it is just a "cool" low pitched sound like the big rigs if your middle to max rpm.



John

 

[GTOWag]

PacBrake PRXB

I installed the PacBrake PRXB a couple years ago on my 04 six speed and towed the trailer from Ohio to Alaska and back and to Southern CA and back. I would hate to tow with out it. It wasn't too difficult to install and it works great. Some other brands don't work with cruise but the PacBrake does and it has a nice warm up feature too. I ordered mine from Pacific Clutch and Brake also. The of having an air supply on board for other uses ie. air horns etc. Good Luck

 

[Loren]

No one has mentioned it yet so I will. I have a U. S. Gear D-celerator electric exhaust brake and I like it. I moved it from my 1995 truck to my 2000 truck when I got the new one because it worked so well.



It uses an electric solenoid, similar to the fuel shut-off solenoid, to actuate the brake. It's controlled via a box that mounts in the cab and uses a wireless push-button transmitter to signal the control box.



The installation was a snap, but you absolutely MUST use large diameter wire for the pull-coil and the ground on the solenoid. I used #10 with good results.



In the 12 years I've owned it I have had two problems. The first was failure of a relay. That was diagnosed and replaced by the dealer who sold it to me. The other issue was intermittant operation that started after about eight years of use. That was cured by dismantling the brake and applying anti-seize to the pivot points for the butterfly valve (a simple job). It has worked flawlessly since then.



From the comments on this thread, it looks like you can't go wrong with any of them. You get to choose.



Loren

 

[Breed]

I have a Pac Brake on my 98' love the brake and also love the truck.

 

[CDonaldson]

I am going to install the PacBrake PRXB. I like the idea of the compressor vrs the belt drive, and also the idea of having on-board air. Everyone I have talked with that has them says they would not tow without them and they are all very pleased with them.



CD