exhaust brake

[Morphious]

Ok guys or gals, time to state your opinions on who has the best e-brake out there. I am in the market for one and am leaning towards the e-brake by jacobs. I want to know up and downsides and where I can get the best deal.



Morph.

 

[Skibby]

Morphious,I have the Jacob's E brake on my Cummin's an have used it from Florida to Missouri an back , worked perfect,had mine installed at Diesel Injection of Pittsburg,very knowledgeable people.

 

[dresslered]

Morphious-

By asking who makes the "best" you've opened the doors for a very heated discussion. I think that if you do a search, you will find tons of information about the various brands. I chose the Jacob's as it is a very "simple" design and is controlled directly from the ECM (no micro switches). This is the one brand that I have NEVER heard of a single problem with. Others will boast more stopping power but this isn't necessarily a plus (I have never experienced a lack of). Choose the brand that has the features that you desire.



If you go with the Jacob's, call Mopar4less and indicate that you want to make an internet order and it will be under $600. You can also get it through Cummins for about the same. Both brakes would be identical but they will have different part numbers.

 

[RustyJC]

We went with the Jacobs - hey, did anyone else note in the most recent TDR (I'd heard it before but forgotten it!) After Clessie Cummins moved to California and was effectively pushed out of Cummins Motor Company, he invented the exhaust brake and sold the design to Jacobs (a drill chuck manufacturer. ) Guess that makes the Jacobs sorta a Clessie Cummins signature edition e-brake!



Rusty

 

[TowPro]

I checked out all 3 (some people say there is 4 but I disagree)

below are the pros and cons of each.



PAC:

Pro: Cost is low, Highest Retarding power avalable



Con: Highest Retarding power is at something like 2800 RPM, I never drive there!, I have read about some of them sticking, but I also hear that problem was fixed in newer designs?



Jake:

Pro: Sold my Dodge, warranteed by Dodge, Will not come on while shifting. Still cheaper then BD



Con: Wired to the ECM, you have a 2 second delay after releasing the go pedal before it comes on.



BD (the one I bought)

Pro:

Micro Switch actavated so it comes on the instant you let off the go pedal, Most retarding HP in the RMP Range that I DRIVE IN! (1500-2000), Can't say I have ever read about one failing.



Con: Most expensive of the choices. Until you learn to keep your foot on the go pedal just a little bit, the brake will come on while shifting, slowing down your turbo.



In fact after you learn how to work the brake with the go pedal, you will find yourself turning it on and off as you need it using the go pedal, as you go down the road.



shop around for the BD, prices differ between places (and times) I bought mine from AutoWorx in NJ.

 

[Bigsaint]

I also have the BD brake, 4" version, and love it. Certainly not the cheapest out there, but if you could see the quality of the unit when it comes out of the box, I think you would be sold. I also purchased mine from Mike at Auto Wurks Diesel.



You might want to consider if you ever plan on a larger exhaust or larger turbo, if so, the 4" BD is the way to go IMHO. You could call Auto Wurks for a current price if interested @ (973) 226-7800.



Scott W.

 

[Ted Constantine]

I like my BD brake. It has the most power in the common rpm range. I also like the non computer set up and the two speed switch on the stick. The computer controlled systems seem to have to much delay.



Ted

 

[LBTRS]

PacBrake

I put a PacBrake on my new truck and like it a lot. I wanted the ECM controlled brake with a delay so it didn't come on while I shift like I hear the BD brake does. I'm happy with the Pac.



Good luck,

 

[klenger]

I have the Jacobs. I don't see the 1 1/2 sec. delay as a con. IMHO, if 1 1/2 seconds is too long to wait for an exhaust brake to come on, you are going too fast anyway. I like the simplicity of the installation, the low price, and warranty.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

I went with the BD Brake on a microswitch and with the master switch on my shifter. I wouldn't like the delay either. The reason is when I'm downshifting I'd have that 1 1/2 second delay in every gear (3 shifts coming down to a stop). I do turn the brake off when accelerating so that I don't accidentaly activate the brake during shifts - I don't like the idea of slamming my turbo down to nothing from 41 psi!

 

[JNielsen]

I have a BD on one truck and a Pac on another. I like the BD, it is by far the most powerful of the two. I have 135,000 on the Pac (no problems) and 50,000 on the BD (also no problems) Both trucks are standard trannys.

 

[DRR-24V]

I am very happy with the Pac Brake. You can easily install it your self and the kit is complete. I have never seen the so called lag when activated. To each his own.

 

[TowPro]

One thing I notice about the ebrake is on the highway, your starting down a slight grade, the truck starts to speed up so you let off the fuel, and the ebrake comes on slowing you down (instead of just coasting) so I thought up a new switch idea.



I been thinking about changing out the stock BD on, off switch with a 2 position, center off switch. (SPDT Center Off)



Wire the center connector to the brake



wire the top connector to the +12 that only comes on when the brake lights are on.



wire the bottom connector to the +12



This way you have the switch up, the brake comes on every time you let off the fuel pedal (like the stock BD setup)



Center it is off.



Switch down the brake only comes on when you touch the foot brake pedal.



Of course on a long downhill, instead of resting your foot on the brake pedal to turn on the ebrake, you can just flick the switch to the up position to prevent overheating your service brakes.

Originally posted by Steve St. Laurent

I went with the BD Brake on a microswitch and with the master switch on my shifter. I wouldn't like the delay either. The reason is when I'm downshifting I'd have that 1 1/2 second delay in every gear (3 shifts coming down to a stop). I do turn the brake off when accelerating so that I don't accidentaly activate the brake during shifts - I don't like the idea of slamming my turbo down to nothing from 41 psi!

 

[BFaoro]

I have the Pac Brake, it installed very easy. I also put in the B&D 2 speed switch to turn the brake on and off when I don't need to use it, along with the foot pedal. I haul cattle in a 20' stock trailer and it works real well and so far has never stuck. I wouldn't go without one if you pull trailers. As for which one, get the one you like, because you are the one that will have to live with it.

 

[Dave Fritz]

I have the PacBrake on my 94 and always loved it until Sue had me install a Pac on her 2001. Now I want the 60 pound springs on my 1994!



The BD shifter mounted switch I installed on Sue's truck is so convenient for brake operation that I moved my ARB switch to the dashboard and used the shifter mounted switch, which I had originally made for the locker, to operate my PacBrake.



Dave

 

[dresslered]

Dave-

You installed an exhuast brake on a 12V without upgrading the springs?

 

[Dave Fritz]

dresslered,



Yes, but the PacBrake only produces 30 psi until I install the plug in the orifice. It always seemed like plenty of brake until I used the full 60 psi version in Sue's 24V. Now I want MORE for my truck. Gotta call Piers to get valve springs and gov springs...



Dave

 

[dresslered]

Thanks Dave. I have a friend that wants to put an exhaust brake on a 12V and we were both under the impression that upgraded springs were manditory. I even thought that the Jacob's site had indicated this and their E-Brake doesn't have nearly the stopping power of the PacBrake.

 

[Ron Bissett]

exhaust brake power and driving range ? at speed most time you are in top gear RPM AT 2000 TO 2500 LET UP BRAKE ON retards but not full power to stop . down shift RPM COMES UP Let up and brake comes on much power good braking down shift again RPM comes up let up brake comes on braking almost stoped by now . The RPM governs how much brake is applied not what brand brake you have they all work some cost more some less but get one . Just a thought Ron in Louisville Ky

 

[Turbo Thom]

I installed the US Gear de-celerator on my 96 and adjusted the presure at 30 lbs. Love it. The thing is under the truck and where I can get to it and have never had a problem withit under there. I've read some post that says it collects trash. Mine don't. If I remember right after 96 the 12V's had the 60 lb springs. The 98 I got for the wife also has a de-celerator at it works very well. The lady I bought it from towed a fifth wheel from Fla. to the west 2 or 3 times and said she loved it also.



I went with the US Gear because I didn't want the brake at the fire wall.



They all work, I just have my reasons for what I bought.



Preston