Need Info / Advice

[JDennis]

Have a 2003 --3500 DRW 5. 9 / 305HO/RE48 / 373 Rearend--Running Edge Module(Model?--3 manual settings---presently on lowest setting)---155,000 Miles---Tow a 35' Fiver--GVCW 21,000-- Have towed this rig since truck new--waited until 100k miles before adding Edge--have maintained truck per Dodge Maintenance Schedule with regard to Engine/Transmission/Rearend fluid changes---no known issues at this time-----Now---



I am considering an Exhaust Brake---Either PacBrake or BD Equipment, with TC Pressure Lock---Would appreciate comments / suggestions / and other considerations



Thanks in advance



JDennis

 

[mberry]

The brand of brake, imho, is a personal preference and should be based on what will work best for your needs.

The TC Pressure lock is an absolute necessity if this is what you are going to do. Also, don't be surprised that your transmission could use freshening up.

 

[Motorhead]

I did alot of personal research before I bought the exhaust brake fomy '07, 5. 9.
Because I didn't have a vacuum pump like I believe you do on the '03, I went with the Pacbrake PRXB. It has its own air pump but it is the best holding brake I have driven!
You WILL need a trans programmer to keep your TC locked. I STRONGLY agree with (mberry) in that your trans, while probably having no issues that you know of, could need a fresh'en up. The brake will deffinately put more load on the thrust bearings AND the T/C. I am surprised that your stock T/C has lasted this long with your towing load and the 3:73's.

 

[JDennis]

I appreciate your replies---I guess the stock TC has held up because I "don't push it"--just let it do its thing--while keeping the "rpm" up---With regard to "freshening(sp) the transmission"--How extensive do you think that might be ??

JDennis

 

[Pacbrake]

Hello this Chris from Pacbrake technical services. If you would like some info on the Pacbrake system, please give me a call at 1(800)663-0096.

 

[ColoradoKing]

I have the Edge Juice/Attitude, ATS Co-Pilot, VB and large capacity oil pan, and the PRXB. Works awesome in the mountains of CO. I have put 10 000 miles on the truck with this system (90 000 miles on the Odometer now). I needed shift bands adjusted, but overall everything works great. I will eventually upgrade the TC or replace the trans with a fully built unit, but in the meantime I couldn't be happier. The fact that I can use the Pacbrake air reservoir to inflate my tires and airbags is an added bonus.

 

[JDennis]

Colorado King--

Thanks for reply---Not being familiar with all the eqipment you listed--As you RE48 Auto, which unit maintains the Torque Converter Pressures for proper operation of Pacbrake unit??--or was a device of that type not needed because "tests?" revealed that you trans did not have any pressure issues to be concerned about?

Tks in advance--

JDennis

 

[ColoradoKing]

Sorry for the late reply. I needed to install a few things as a package for the 48RE to work. The valve body and shift controller were essential. They provide the increase in line pressure and re-mapping of the trans to lock up the TCC in all gears. The one problem I had initially was that the trans shifted brutally hard into all gears and hunted between shifts. I went through hell trying to get the problem dealt with through ATS.



Eventually, I got it sorted out. I installed an overdrive lockout switch, and changed to leaving the trans in Drive and letting the trans shift on its own vs. doing it manually. This smoothed out the shifts a lot. I will eventually get a triple disk TC and a billet input shaft, but as I mentioned above, with 90K hard miles on the transmission, I think I'll just go for a fully built towing trans and be happy with it. The problem with the Edge Juice/Attitude (if you can call it a problem) is that it really provides a lot more power than the TCC can handle. I keep it very, very mellow on accelleration and back the power settings off when towing. That sucks though, because I want to be able to hit the throttle and not worry about slippage and other unhappy transmission problems.



With the Pacbrake or any other exhaust brake, you're putting a reverse twist on the input shaft, which also causes a lot of stress on the drive train. This is also the reason I'm keen to get a billet shaft and just generally beef up the whole trans.



Good luck with your project. I'm a major fan of Pacbrake for its quality, price, capability and the service I got from the guys in Vancouver, BC. They were awesome.



Steph

 

[wantabe351]

Coloradoking how did you fix you hard shifting problem? Im working on mine now and its really bad with a Triple lock TC and VB kit...