Looking for guidance on Pac Brake PXRB applications and experience.

[Northfork]

My eldest son drove my truck recently and has decided that a Exhaust Brake is a good idea. He is a busy man with work and I, being retired, volunteered to do some research for him. He owns a 2005 2500 4x4 Quad Cab with the 5.9 HO and a G56 manual trans. Looking around online it appears to me that the PXRB Pac Brake is the way to go for him, we tow 5th wheel toy hauler trailers over the Sierra's for camping trips.
Looking online at the pacbrake web site there are several options, one being a ECM bypass?
He has air bags and is installing his own on board air system in and planning to feed the pac brake with that system instead of using their compressor set up.
He is going to use their shifter mounted switch.

I'd be appreciative of any input regarding this product, and on the ecm bypass deal, and any real world experience with this set up you guys might care to share. It appears pricing is pretty much locked in. Haven't nailed down a vendor yet, and still debating on installing it himself. I will be calling Pac Brake's tech line next week to get some info for him but would love your input...

Thanks!

 

[B.G. Smith]

I have that brake, installed it myself about three years ago. I would not by pass the ecm hookup, it will save you lots of on/off shifting. I think you can install a by pass switch even when hooked up to the ecm if you desire to manually control brake. The fact that you already have air will shorten the install. Great improvement. Wish I had installed when truck was new. bg

 

[Tuesdak]

Order the "special" lube, C18037 Maintenance Lube, for the Pac Brake and use it now and then. Both the lube and the brake so it doesn't jam up. The ECM control is what mine uses. Other than air leaks the only trouble was needing to lube the spool valve as it stuck. I have really enjoyed it on my truck esp. when towing.

 

[jhenderson]

I agree with the prev 2 posts. I replaced my jake with a PRXB when parts became difficult for the Jake. I used the ECM function. Makes driving much simpler. The only trouble I had in 150,000 miles of PacBrake use came from the compressor. PacBrake stood behind it but it still needed my attention and time to repair.

 

[Motorhead]

Northfork, I put a PRXB on my 6 speed, 5.9, 2007 over 8 years ago. It was one of the best, "Bang for the buck" mods and safety equipment I added to my truck to date. I have the push pull switch mounted to my stick shifter and it also hooks into the ECM. By having the shifter switch, I can shut it off all together and not have it cut in when I up shift. I too wore out the factory compressor but it did last a long time. I rubber mounted a Viair 480, 200psi capable, 100% duty cycle compressor under the truck between the outside frame rail and under door sill on the right side. I have the air filter under the hood above where any water could get to it. I have had ZERO issues with the compressor mounted underneath and it has been there a few years. I have also had to replace the solenoid air valve twice as it leaked air out and the compressor would cycle frequently. I have had ZERO problems with the exhaust brake mechanism itself.
In 2008, My two adult daughters, my wife and myself, towing a 28ft travel trailer and all our gear, went to Yellowstone park. Coming home via I-80 west over Donner pass, I never touched the foot brake going down the hills into Sacramento. I was in 6th gear most all the way with a few hills in 5th gear. Impressed the Hell out of my wife and girls..... ME TOO!

 

[richardcoxid]

I installed a PAC Brake PRXB on my '05, 2wd, 4sp auto about 10 years ago. Wouldn't drive a diesel with a 13,000# RV without it! Going down the grade into Laughlin drop it into 3rd, I have to cycle the PRXB on/off to maintain speed.

 

[Motorhead]

I installed one into a 2007,5.9 automatic for my Dentist. Instead of having a toggle switch on the dash to turn it on and off, I installed an OLD Style HIGH-LOW beam, foot switch on the left floor board behind the e-brake pedal.

 

[Prairie Dog]

I also agree that yous shouldn't bypass the ECM. It's an important part of doing the job right.

 

[Motorhead]

I also agree that yous shouldn't bypass the ECM. It's an important part of doing the job right.

Basically, the floor switch or the shifter switch just takes the place of a dash mounted toggle switch. When on, the ECM will activate or de-activate the brake according to throttle position AND engine temperature in the case of using the ex brake for engine warm ups.

 

[Prairie Dog]

Basically, the floor switch or the shifter switch just takes the place of a dash mounted toggle switch. When on, the ECM will activate or de-activate the brake according to throttle position AND engine temperature in the case of using the ex brake for engine warm ups.

Using the ECM, the dash switch is an "Enable" switch. So it makes the EB available for when ever the throttle goes to zero percentage for more than 1 or two seconds (so you can shift without it engaging). This is a nice configuration because the EB can be left on if the operator likes, without the need to fiddle with it or worry that it will engage with throttle applied. There are also some safe-guards built into the ECM and if the relay on the EB fails and holds the EB on, the ECM can even throw a code (boy was I surprised) so the operator knows what's going on.
Installing the pin in the ECM connector is probably a little intimidating to some but in practice, it's really very easy and take very little time.