Exhaust Brakes

[Punisher205]

I am looking into exhaust brakes as a means of saving on replacement of service brakes. I don't do any major towing, yet. Looking at boats next weekend... #ad
What is the company of choice for the Cummins? Jacobs? or any of the others I have seen advertised? And is this something I should look into now or after I see how my rig tows the boat I end up getting?

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2000 Ram diesel dually quadcab 4x4 green. Grover underhood airhorns, mudflaps and Linex bedliner

 

[Randy]

Punisher,
I have the PacBrake. I would not drive a diesel and pull a trailer without a exhaust brake. I have taken my 22' trailer which has no brakes on it and went down a 10% grade and never had to touch my service brakes. No white knuckels any more. The exhaust brakes will also save your service brakes. I have over 50,000 miles on my truck and I still have about half the brake pads left. My brother had to replace his brakes after 30,000 because he has no exhaust brakes on his 2001. One other benefit is that you can heat your truck up in half the time. Just turn on the brake and let it idle for about 5-10 minutes and your engine will be at operating temp. Also in cold weather you can idle for extended periods of time with the PacBrake on. I have had no problems with my PacBrake at all.

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Randy Richmond, 98. 5 24 valve, 50,000 mi, 2500, 5 speed, 4" exhaust, 4x4, 3. 54, LB, QC, Van Aaken CPC, Bosch 275 HP injectors, PacBrake, Walker flowthru muffler, Amsoil, running boards, Leer Shell, Metalic Red.

 

[Happy Camper]

On the 97 2500 I had the Cummins E brake and liked it real well. 83,000 miles on original pads when I traded it.
I now have a BD brake on the 2001. Would not be without one. Use it when not towing also.
If you do a search on the ebrake you will pick up quite a bit of reading from older posts.

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Kimzy Bertalotto
2001. 5,3500 QC 4x4, HO/6spd,limited slip,BD,brake,60 gal Aero tank.

 

[K_Arts]

Ditto on what Randy said. I have a pacbrake and I love it. I just got it and boy is it serving it's purpose.

Just an FYI. I am not to familiar with BD's E-brake, but I would really think it through before you purchase it, if you do. I know a bunch of people that have it and love it, but I have also been told by a bunch of power that BD brake has too much retarding power and in the long run will hurt the cummins engine. So I would just start studying all of the e-brakes out there and make a decision according to your application.

Kev

 

[red1ton]

I have a BD brake and I am pleased with it. I think you decision has a lot to do with you budget and how you plan to use the brake. In my case, I have a slide in camper that maxes the truck at the GVWR. I don't have trailer brakes to help me stop so I need all of the retarding HP I can get.

As far as harming the Cummins, I have never heard of anyone complain of an engine problem as a result of using the BD brake. Is there something I should be aware of? The issuess I read about in the TDR are usually with the auto transmission and e-brake.

#ad


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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper. Rancho 9000 5 Speed shocks. BD Brake, autoloc, pressureloc. Hadley air horns. OEM bugshield w/eyebrows and dash cover. Member San Jose Ram Runners.

 

[Archive]

I have the Cummins E Brake and I lve it... I can't imagine owning a truck without one anymore.

As far as the BD... I read this board religiously and have never read anything about the BD hurting a cummins... the transmission, if it is an auto and not set upo correctly. . but not the Cummins. I have good friends who swear by the BD brake.

I swear by the E Brake. If you search these forums, you will find more info and opinions than you will want to read!

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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.

 

[Wiredawg]

I have the BD and love it. Keeps the truck and 15K lb 5th wheel easing down the hills. Also, there is an adjustment on the BD for back preasure (about 25 lbs at idle). I mounted a back preasure gauge on mine to monitor performance. I think the max back preasure is 60 lbs on the 24 valvers and I think 12 vlavers have to upgrade valve springs.

Ah reckon all the e-brakes are good though.

Wiredawg #ad


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2000 4X4 SLT QC 8' bed; 6 spd, 3. 54 ; BD exhaust brake and 4" exhaust syst; TST PM2; Airlift Super Duty rear air bags; RS 9000 shocks; pyro/boost gauges in 2 gauge a-pillar mount; back preasure gauge mounted under dash; KN air filter; Brown's Welding brush/grill guard, rear bumper & headache rack; nerf bars and aluminum roll top rear cover, Warn front receiver and Hadley air horns, 20K Reese hitch.

 

[K_Arts]

Guys... as I stated I honestly have not tried the BD brake. I have just been told by many people that the retarding power of the BD brake is far too much.

Again... just something that I heard. I figured that I would bring it up... being tha this board is the best place to get the real answers.

Thanks

Kev

 

[dresslered]

I went with the Jacob's E-Brake and love it. I too carry a slide-in camper that puts the truck at GVWR and have no problems slowing it down. I just felt more comfortable using a product that was designed by the engine manufacturer.

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David Dressler
2001 Driftwood 3500 Quad Cab 4x4, 155 inch WB, HO Cummins (ETH), 6-Speed (DEE), SLT+, 3. 54 LSD, Camper Special, Trailer Tow, Heated Leather, Sliding Window, Jacob's E-Brake, Rhino Liner, VDO Vision (pyro, boost, engine + diff. temp. ), Weather Guard Diamond Plate Saddle Box, Tork Lift camper tie-downs, Mag-Hytec, Mopar Tow Hooks, AND functional Halo light!
Bigfoot 3000 10. 11 Slide-in Camper. "Do it in a Dually"

 

[TowPro]

'I have the BD and have not tried the others. I bought the BD because it had more brake power in the RPM's I drive at. I have never thought I had to much brake power, If fact if it had less, I would not have been happy. I have mine set to 23psi at idle.

Originally posted by K_Arts:
Guys... as I stated I honestly have not tried the BD brake. I have just been told by many people that the retarding power of the BD brake is far too much.

Again... just something that I heard. I figured that I would bring it up... being tha this board is the best place to get the real answers.

Thanks

Kev

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[TowPro]

I read a neat piece in Trailer Life last night. The guy said that 30 psi extra pressure in a cylender under decel, will cause less load on the connecting rods because they don't have to yank the piston backwards from TDC. The 30 PSI actualy gives them a little push!

Plus like BD says in there papers, you climb a long hill, the valves are hot, you let off to go down the other side and the exhaust temp quickly drops to about 200 deg, which will cool the valves to fast and warp them or the seats. Sounds like a reason to run my brake!

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[Ted Constantine]

I am looking at e-brake and in the past I found a sight with all the comparison info on the different brake. Well for the life of me I can't find it any more. Does anyone know where to find the data.

Ted

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2001. 5 2500, quad cab, 4X4, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 LSD, 255/85 BFG MT, Leer topper, Piaa driving 510's in bumper, Line-X, Stereo= JVC KD-MX3000, MBQuart 6. 5 components in front doors, 6. 5 coax in rear, JL Audio Stealth Box sub in center seat, Fosgate 400a4 and 250a2 amps, DynaMat everywhere

 

[Wheaties]

I think this is the page you're looking for: http://www.ecpe.vt.edu/~dfritz/Ram/EXHBRAKE/exh_brake.htm

Thank you Mr. Fritz

Matt

 

[DJOliver]

I have a Jacods E Brake and would'nt tow without it. When i first got it i was only going to use it when towing but quickly found out that it has its place in every day driving.

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2001. 5 3500 6 spd 4x4 ETH/DEE Quad SLT Silver Metallic. Tow Group,Camper Special ,3. 54, western nerf bars, Towing 99 Damon Challenger 5ver 31' ,Cummins J Brake . Need :Guages, aux fuel tank, tow mirrors & Cb radio.

2000 Dodge Intrepid R/T. Wife loves it.

 

[CWade]

Made the dealer sell me the Mopar "Jacob's Exhaust Brake" at his cost as part of the truck deal. The instructions are easy to follow and everything you need is in the box. Work's great ! Does require drilling holes in your new truck.

Charlie


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01 3500 Quad Cab 4X2
HO, 6 spd, 3. 55AS, Jacob's brake, patriot blue, 22K Reese 5th wheel, Snap-On tool box

 

[Bill H]

Does the Jacobs activate with or without a micro-switch under the accelerator?

Bill

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'00 2500 QuadCab SLT 4x4,White,5spd,tow package,3. 54,vinyl floor,rear slider,PIAA driving lights,Century "Ultra" matching cap,lost silencer ring. Westin "powdercoat" nerf bars. Rhino lined "rockers" for chip protection. Clearance lights. Jardine 4" exhaust.

 

[John]

The Jacobs/Cummins E-brake activates via a signal from the ECM

 

[kevin1]

I just checked the price on the BD you can't tell me that thing is worth over 800 bucks there is no way I guess I will get it but man I just don't see the price

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2001. 5 ETH/DEE DD3's EZ HX40 machined out for more flow, Custom 4" exhaust turbo back staight pipe with 5" chrome tip in front of rear tires,spa's, mcleod clutch, fuel lines,mag hytech rear end cover,psycotty air system,x heated,power mirrors,more to come

 

[Bigsaint]

Hey Wiz, you won't be disappointed with the 4" BD brake. I know, alot of $$$, but well worth it IMO. The braking is not as extreme as some have stated. I already tried mine out on wet grades with no problem (unloaded). The 4" BD is huge and really well constructed.
Forgot to add... check out the new sig. buddy, I'm gunnin for ya #ad

Scott W.

White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro,boost and oil temp gauges,Edge EZ,Psychotty air,Bully Dog stage III injectors,ATS 3 piece manifold,HX40 turbo,4" BD exhaust,4" BD E-brake,McLeod clutch,Mallory 4150 lift pump,Mag-Hytec rear,Mopar tonneau,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat and blow by bottle is bye bye !!! I love the smell of diesel in the morning, it reminds me of... . VICTORY !!!
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089608" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>My Truck</font></A>
<A HREF="http://albums.photopoint.com/j/AlbumIndex?u=1231655&a=9089604" TARGET=_blank><font color=red>THE SAINTS</font></A>



[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 02-19-2001). ]

 

[JKloppe]

TOO much retarding power for empty truck? I Rode in truck down I-70 with BD brake with 20K lbs load, and the brake was just right. I would not want any less retarding power. After we droped the trailer off I tried the brake with the empty truck, still ok. The quality of the BD brake is unsurpassed. I will put the BD on my truck when the time comes. (more like when the wallet is full enough)

Originally posted by K_Arts:
Guys... as I stated I honestly have not tried the BD brake. I have just been told by many people that the retarding power of the BD brake is far too much.

Again... just something that I heard. I figured that I would bring it up... being tha this board is the best place to get the real answers.

Thanks

Kev

[This message has been edited by JKloppe (edited 02-19-2001). ]