Jacobs Exhaust Break

[Bob Cochran]

I started today putting on the brake that I ordered from MOPAR4LESS the price was right less than $600 including shipping. Did not complete installations but did get the mechanical and vacuum connected but no electrical. I was frustrated the boss that holds the 3/8 bolts for the exhaust pipe in the Jachobs was not threaded all the way through. Had to run get a tap and finish threaded tap both sides #ad
Cannot believe you pay that much and they cannot use a tap. I had it already installed so mad it a little mor difficult to tap hwne installed. Anyway hope everything else goes better tomorrow!!!!

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2001 RAM 3500 dually Quad Cab SLT, 4. 10 limited slip, HO 245 hp, 6-speed, dark garnet pearl coat, interior agate, All options except heated leather, added DeeZee brite diamond tool box, Linex spray-in bed liner, Lund hood deflector 3 piece smoke color, DeeZee brite diamond cab/bed running boards and TurboSaver (from Gino's) also Reese 5th wheel 15k hitch. No plans to bomb. This is my retirment vehicle currently pulling 21' 5er want to buy 30 to 35 for retirment.

[This message has been edited by Bob Cochran (edited 05-19-2001). ]

 

[RON'S RAM]

Hey Bob;
I just finished installing a BD exhaust brake tonight. I was impressed. The instructions were pretty clear, there was nothing missing, and everything fit like it is supposed to. Seems to work good, but I'll know better, when I hook on to the fifth wheel. Hope the rest of your install goes better, good luck.
Ron...

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1997 2500HD 4x4 Club Cab SLT,5 Spd, Rhinoliner, BD Exhaust Brake,
basically stock 4 now.

 

[MikeR]

I've installed a couple of the Jacobs,and have a few friends with them and this is the first problem I've ever heard of. HOpefully the rest of your install goes smooth.

-Mike

 

[PAYCHECK]

I have the jacobs e- brake and did not have any problems. the directions were clear and all the hardware was good. hope that yours was just a fluke! i have never had any problems with the operation of the jacobs either (yet,1. 5 yrs and 20000k on it). good luck on yours!

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01 2500HD QC,SB,3. 54,5 spd,4X4,241HD,SLT+,Sport all black,fully loaded,all leather htd,jacobs e-brake,tow pack,camper pack,,full rhino lining bed and rocker panels,265/75r16 BFG ATs ko,nerf bars,everthing black,4'' Jardine,A. M. Pro Comp pyro & boost on a-pillar,EZ,NO stickers except cummins on door,License plate-1 CUMN, NRA endowment life member

 

[Bob Cochran]

Well finished the installation and the only other problem was getting the cigar lighter out. Toughest little plastic tabs I have ever seen. It operates great cannot hardly wait to tow and try a hill. The instructions was clear it really was only the thread problem. I was just venting and tired and frustrated. If I had notice the threads was not all the way through would have done off the truck been easier. Since it was already mounted torqued with gasket better part of valor did it on. I sent a note to Jacobs and vented also. Actually happy with it except the one frustration!!! #ad


Oh almost forgot. I have a whistle when it is at idle and switched on. I think probably normal as I cannot find reason for it. Is it a bypass to keep exhaust back pressure within limits?

[This message has been edited by Bob Cochran (edited 05-21-2001). ]

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Ron's Ram...

Be sure to check the backpressure on your exhaust brake... Too much pressure will really cause problems.

 

[Bob Cochran]

How many checked Jacobs e-brake for back pressure and found it to high or low? How did you check the back pressure? Do you leave on all the time or not and why? I worry about seating at intersection long time with it and on idling and getting engine overheating anybody had that problem. Optimum RPM when going down hill with trailer in tow? Sorry for all questions.

 

[Utah Willie]

I've had a dealer installed Jake on my '99 3500 for 37K miles and I have, more often than not, left it on all the time. There is no whistling sound when it is on, so you may want to explore for a reason you have that. I have noticed no over heating, even in traffic, but if I am sitting for a long time at a signal, I often switch it off as it does quiet the exhaust considerably. I love it! There shouldn't be a diesel without an exhaust or engine brake! My only complaint about E-brakes is that they are not incremental. They are either on or off.

 

[Evan A. Beck]

Bob,

If you have a pyrometer, you can check the backpressure using the hole your pryo probe (thermocouple) is installed in. You will need to purchase the appropriate fitting and such for doing it. You can use your turbo boost gauge as a test backpressure gauge. #ad
Works great!

 

[RON'S RAM]

Evan; thanks for the warning. I did check it when I installed it, and it was 18 lbs. The instructions said 10 - 15 lbs, more if you wanted more braking. I left it at 18 lbs for now. Will check again in a week or so. I still have the stock valves, so what do you think is the safest pressure not to exceed. When the exhaust brake is on, is the turbo getting more heat? Also when idling with the brake on, does any of the heat or exhaust back into the air filter housing? ( just some stupid things Ive been wondering about. ) Thanks for the responses.
Ron...

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1997 2500HD 4x4 Club Cab SLT,5 Spd, Rhinoliner, BD Exhaust Brake,
basically stock 4 now.

 

[dmurdock]

--No worry about exhaust getting into the air filter. . on a 2-cycle maybe, but it won't happen on a 4 cycle engine

--Remember to turn it off while your letting the turbo cool off before shut down

--If i remember correctly, the 12 valve engines come stock with 30lb valve springs, so theoretically any backpressure over the limit of the valve springs could open the valves (at a most inappropriate time, say top dead center!). I wouldn't risk more than 20 lbs (springs weaken over time). Also make sure your checking the backpressure at the maximum rpm you would use the break, say 2500 rpm.

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'01 Eth 3500 4x4, Amsoil air filter, AutoMeter boost & egt on pillar mount. See My Truck and also be sure to read What tools & methods to use for an easy 1st oil change!!!
"Be happy you don't get all the government you pay for. " -W. C. Fields

[This message has been edited by dmurdock (edited 05-22-2001). ]

 

[Evan A. Beck]

No, the exhaust brake will not cause any backflow into the filter. Also, since you don't have the 60 lb springs in, make sure you don't exceed 30 lbs. Changing the springs is pretty easy, Cummins can do it for you if you don't want to yourself. The 60 lb spring kit costs about 80 bucks, if I am not mistaken. The difference between 30 lbs of backpressure vs. 55 lbs is pretty big. Makes the exhaust brake MUCH more effective.

And toanswer your question about retaining heat, yes, the brake will keep heat in the motor. That's why it works great as a warm-up device.

St the backpressure at 15 lbs, and call it good. #ad

 

[Bob Cochran]

Well I did not describe the whistle sound to well. I looked and tracked it down and it is coming from the end of the exhaust pipe and obviously is because the exhaust is restricted at idle. Depending on where you stand it changes sound and at one point right at the break almost a whistle type sound. Excellent idea about turning of for turbo cool down makes sense. Have not added gauges yet my next project. #ad

 

[Posm]

I did not install the switch that came with the jacobs, but opted to go with the BD switch on the shift lever. I am very happy with the operation of the switch and use it at every stop to turn the brake off. My only complaint is a very annoying rattle in the switch. I will contact BD to see if they have a fix.

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Y2K 2500, QC, 4X4, 3. 54LS, ST, 5 speed, SWB,Cummins E-brake,Westech Pyro and Boost Dual guage, 12 Disk JVC CD

 

[Nemies]

What're the installation steps? Is there a place to put a post-turbo pyrometer?

I'm very interested in getting one, but I'm worried about what's involved in putting it in, and if DC will warrantee the brake itself.

Are there any web-based installation directions anywhere?


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Kees C.
99, 4x4, 2500, 5spd, HD, 3. 5 LSD, SB, QC, Sport, Forest-Green, Cab-Lights
Rhinoliner, toolbox, dual Firestiks, always-on windows, PE-EZ

 

[RHARVEY]

How does the quality conpare to the one that Cummins sells, or is it the same one. If so I got a price for the kit which includes the 60 lb springs and it was about $800 and then the install. Total with the discounts and all was approx $1200.

Rick

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RICK
97 2500,CC,5 SPEED, 3. 54 Limited Slip,Psychotty System,K&N, Pre-Turbo ISSPRO 3" Pyrometer & Boost Guage,Silencer Ring Removed
15,000 RBW 5th Wheel Hitch,25' Excel 5th Wheel,Rancho RSX17000 Shocks,Amsoil Dealer,Straight Piped

 

[Blue Goat]

There are two bosses on the Jacobs e-brake that can be drilled for a post turbo temperature sensor. In an e-mail, Jacobs indicated that the bosses were for that purpose and the warrenty would stay intact as long as the taps were made properly.

 

[Bob Cochran]

Rharvey ~ The quality is the same from the ones I seen and from the same place Jacobs. By the way, I did send an email to Jacobs venting on the thread problem. They did respond and applogize. Said they were not aware of this particular problem happening and felt this was an exception, my luck. #ad
By the way after venting I felt a lot better and the brake does look great. Next week put a 5er on to try out but it is small only weighs 4,000 and hardly know it is there most of the time. Couple years get a 30 footer with more weight.

 

[Cobra]

RHarvey
I recently had a Jacobs E-brake installed on my 01. 5 RAM 2500. It was installed by the dealer. Before having it done, I spoke to the Cummins engine people and they said the Jacobs brake is the same brake from Cummins or at the Dogoe dealer. I opted for the dealer to do it because they gave me a discount for having bought my truck there and their price was 300. 00 dollars less before the discount. I am very happy with my brake. I haul very heavy in the mountains of Pa. and WVA.

01. 5 RAM QC 2500 4x4 5spd LSD Camper Pkg, Towing Pkg, E-brake, Air bags, Westin CPS bars, Patriot blue/silver, strictly stock

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Bill Kute

 

[Bob Cochran]

I used the standard switch located below the Aux. Outlet. I either leave the jake brake on or off don't use the switch alot. I do turn it off when I let the turbo cool down before shut done to help cooling. IMHO I think the 2 way switch on the gear shift is ugly but there are cool replacment gear shift knobs I am sure you can buy that would have worked. By the way my ECM had a pretty yellow void tag. You cannot even tell I removed the plug though after making the electrical connection to #20 pin in the plug. Think DC will void my warrantly for me doing my own installation of an authorized MOPAR part????

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2001 RAM 3500 dually Quad Cab SLT, 4. 10 limited slip, HO 245 hp, 6-speed, dark garnet pearl coat, interior agate, All options except heated leather, added DeeZee brite diamond tool box, Linex spray-in bed liner, Lund hood deflector 3 piece smoke color, DeeZee brite diamond cab/bed running boards and TurboSaver (from Gino's) also Reese 5th wheel 15k hitch. No plans to bomb. This is my retirment vehicle currently pulling 21' 5er want to buy 30 to 35 for retirment.