2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Exhaust brake

[RPainter]

Got my 1st dodge 3500 with the cummins engine. Great truck. Kind of remind me of my old rig I used to drive. Anyway, Been researching exhaust brakes. I have an automatic and from what I have read, dodge does not recommend installing a exhaust brake on trucks with automatic transmissions. I want to do some heavy pulling but looking for solutions on braking before I do this. I have been on BD and banks web site checking out the different options out there. Would prefer an exhaust brake but don't want to ruin the engine by installing something not allowed. Any suggestions or comments welcome.

Randy

2000 3500 4X4 extended cab w/85000 miles.

 

[BWilson]

This has been discussed a ton. Just do a search through the old forums. You should find more than enough information.

 

[vssman]

I don't know of any guys that run a brake in a "stock" truck. The auto probably won't like it too much. I believe you would need (at the minimum) a new torque converter & valve body along with a 'lock-up controller' so that you get full braking. If the TC unlocks, then your just whipping the fluid and creating heat.

 

[Ron Bissett]

Originally posted by RPainter

Got my 1st dodge 3500 with the cummins engine. Great truck. Kind of remind me of my old rig I used to drive. Anyway, Been researching exhaust brakes. I have an automatic and from what I have read, dodge does not recommend installing a exhaust brake on trucks with automatic transmissions. I want to do some heavy pulling but looking for solutions on braking before I do this. I have been on BD and banks web site checking out the different options out there. Would prefer an exhaust brake but don't want to ruin the engine by installing something not allowed. Any suggestions or comments welcome.

Randy

2000 3500 4X4 extended cab w/85000 miles.

Most would say You will not ruin the engine you will ruin the transmission without mods. If you plan on heavy towing a brake with mods to make it work could save you from brake loss and in long run save money and avoid accident while towing read all posts on subject or trade for a stick shift 5or 6 speed with a brake. Ron in Metro Louisville KY

 

[WBlackburn]

E-brake

You have the wrong truck set up if your going to do some ' Heavy Duty Pulling" as you say. Believe me I know. The ole Dodge Auto is not what you need. If you want to really beef up the auto see ATS in Denver, they will put you together a transmission that will hold up behing your truck. I once had an automatic and had nothing but trouble with it so I traded and got the 6 speed, upgraded the truck and have pulled a lot in the ole Colorado Mountains and have not had one ounce of troulbe

 

[GOTSOOT]

exh. brake you should know better1

95% of the people that want to tow heavy and buy an Automatic ,regret it . Don`t get me wrong here or take offense, but I see that you used to drive a Big Rig ( myself 22yrs) you should know that if auto`s were the wayto go ,the big rigs would have them. Regroup and trade that slush box for a real transmission. you will be on the right track!

 

[rweis]

my opinion,



If you auto and heavy then you HAVE to rebuild the auto so it can deal with the heavy.



If you also e brake then you HAVE to crank that into the equation when you have the transmission rebuilt.



Things that come to mind, HEAT, T/C, VB, shifting lock up systems, billet input shafts, billet output shafts, HEAT, fluid changing, flow, filters, oversized pans, temperature sensors, gauges



The rebuilders, ATS, DTT, Gorend, BD (I'm not recommending, just offering some names that come to mind) all have electronic lockup systems that work in conjunction with heavy pulling and e brakes.



I am going the DTT route. There are DAYS/TONS of transmission war threads!



An e brake puts severe loads on the transmission and will hasten further upgrades and rebuilds at lesser intervals than a transmission that is not subject to an e brake.



Stick is the simplest by far I think.



The transmission upgrade to do the pulling and the e brakeing is definitely not cheap!



Some have changed to a stick from an auto for same reason. Then clutches etc are their bag.



Bob Weis

 

[Loren]

Randy,



I ruined my auto with the exhaust brake. Learn from my mistake.



If you install an e-brake with an auto, you WILL need to modify the transmission and/or torque converter to work with it. At the VERY LEAST you will need a torque converter lock-up switch (mystery switch). Search the forums for information.



I agree that you have the wrong set-up for heavy towing. Notice my signature. The reason I now own the 2000 truck is because the auto wasn't hacking it. The six-speed is more work to drive, but I no longer worry about the transmission.



If you really want to keep the auto, I would follow WBlackburn's advice and see ATS in Colorado. Tell them exactly what you want to do and follow their recommendations. It will probably be expensive, but it's cheaper than buying another truck.



Loren

 

[Mtngoat]

I wish sometimes people wouldn't automatically say to do a search as if that should end a thread. Sometimes things change and you could get old information. Also, thats what these forums are for, to talk about our trucks and to learn, or to just connect with fellow enthuseats (never could spell that word). I imagine almost everything could be found thru a search and has been discussed at some time or other. Absolutely no flames intended.



Robin