Jake Installer/Mechanic

[BimmerAgent]

Fellas, I finallly bought a Mopar Jake brake. Since I'm thinking that the installation might be more than I want to tackle, I was hoping someone could recommend a good shop in Northern Colorado, around Fort Collins. While I know several good shops for gassers, I really don't know who to trust for my Cummins. The local Dodge dealer is a joke. Any ideas ? Thanks. Bruce

 

[doughtenk]

I'm not from that area and I did not have someone install it, but I can tell you what to expect.

I installed the Mopar Jake Brake on my '07 several weeks ago and it took about 15 hours to install. The hardest part to install was the brake itself, the gasket that goes between the brake and turbo is very fragile and can be damaged easly. Brake installation requires two people, one to aline the brake and one to push on the exhaust pipe. The vacuum pump installation was easy, but the belt took some time to figger out. As for the wiring I checked and double checked my locations under the fuse box and on the ECM pins. I went as far as to flag the cable under the fuse box, and mark the pin locations on the ECM, then have someone verify I was at the correct locations (i. e. fuse box cable response with key on/off and pin location to photo provided). I have to admit, my biggest concern was the pin connections at the ECM, once installed they can not be removed. When running the cables, I rolled backed the pin on the cable and electrical taped to protect the pin while routing the cables. When I was finished everthing worked without a hitch. All of the double checking is probly what made it take so long but it was worth it.

Kevin

 

[SSalzer]

Should have went with a Pacbrake. Remember how you intstall the vaccum pump. You'll be doing it again in a few months when that one takes a crap. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. :{

 

[JCleary]

Jeez, I did my PacBrake by myself in a day if you don't count the break I took (maybe 8-9 hrs total)... By the way, welcome to TDR Kevin (doughtenk)!!!



No gasket or vacuum pump to worry about either.



If you're locked in to the Mopar Brake, your Dodge dealer will be able to install it. Even if they have issues, they have a support network that will get them through it. It will also be nice to go back to a Dodge dealer if you have any issues.



If you can, return it and buy a PacBrake from jelag, a member on this site. Much cheaper than the Mopar/Jacobs, and there's no vacuum pump to worry about.



If you were a little closer to the left coast, I'd install either one for you. This time around I could have it installed in about 4 to 6 hours.



You are absolutely going to LOVE having an E-brake!!!

 

[Lifted Mega]

By installing the pac brake will dodge void the warranty? And the one the dealer sells is only the jacobs correct?

 

[JCleary]

By installing the pac brake will dodge void the warranty? And the one the dealer sells is only the jacobs correct?

The PacBrake interfaces with the Cummins ECM in exactly the same manner as the Jacobs. No warranty issues. The ECM controls the brake.



The only difference is vacuum actuated (Jacobs) vs. air actuated (PacBrake).

 

[icman95]

Everyone will have a different opinion on different equipment, but I have a Jacobs on my 01 and love it. Haven't had one problem in all the years it's been on. By comparision, the Kenworth I drive at work has a Pacbrake and it's a piece of crap. In fact many of them in our fleet are crap. Either they don't turn on or once they are on they don't turn off. Some turn on but make a noise like someone's strangling a duck. Quiet a few of them have been in for service multiple times including mine. No such problems with my Jacobs. Again, everyone will have a different opinion and experience, but given the track record I've seen, you couldn't give a Pacbrake to me for free. Stick with your Jake.

 

[RankRam]

Another vote for the Pac!

 

[CDonaldson]

Another vote for the PacBrake. I did my own installation, lots of interruptions so I cannot really give you a good timeframe, but mine was somewhere around 6 hours total including interruptions. I did look at the Jacobs brakes, also looked at the install instructions. They ARE very good instructions, should be easy to do by yourself.



There are several guys up your way in CO that are members of the NMTDR Chapter, you might want to querry them and see if someone there can help you. Turbo Diesel Register - New Mexico Chapter



CD

 

[JensenD]

the poor guy didn't ask for an opinion, he asked for a reference to a mechanic in his area, it's amazing how we get off topic around here

 

[boomchadda]

I have a Jacobs brake and I love it and you will too! Do yourself a favor and slap it in.