Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) pondering exhaust break

[Bovee]

I have a 1998. 5 24valve 3500 extended cab dually. automatic. i have put some money in my truck. i am gearing up to put a chip in but i an doing it right and beefing up everything first. i just got my transmission done. so it's ready. anywho. i have been looking into exhaust breaks. i tow a 35 ft fifthwheel toyhauler. and living in alaska i hit alot of hills. i am a faithfull banks consumer but the price of the exhaust break from them is insane. i've heard alot of people like the bd break. i'm curious who has put exhaust breaks on there truck?and how big of a difference it made and what brands you guys have used. tell me if you would use it again or buy a different brand. and if you don't mind let me know how much it was to. thanks for any information.

 

[Sticks]

When I worked for a shop here in Denver, I installed and drove a lot of different trucks with different types of exhaust brakes on them. None of them compared to the US Gear D-celerator SD that I have on my truck. Pricey, but by far the worth the money.

 

[SnoKing]

I have a Banks 4" exhaust Brake with a full DTT transmission and DTT smart controller to control the torque converter lockup. You have to decide first is you want a turbo mounted brake or an inline brake. A turbo mounted one will limit future turbo upgrades.



Call PacBrake and talk to them. I think they have the best customer service!!!!



And do not break your exhaust!



SNOKING

 

[PSpychalski]

I had a Jacobs e-brake installed at the Cummins dealer in Mt View. Cost me $1100 for the part & install... . wouldnt do without one. I pull a 33' Fifth.

 

[AH64ID]

Once you tow with a EB you won't ever want to tow without one again. . Almost makes non-EB towing seem scary.

 

[Grizzly]

I just had a PacBrake installed two months ago. I like the fact that it works at any RPM, unlike a Jacobs and that I have a compressor aboard. I have towed my 5er with it and am very pleased. Price wasn't bad either. Call jelag.

 

[AH64ID]

I just had a PacBrake installed two months ago. I like the fact that it works at any RPM, unlike a Jacobs and that I have a compressor aboard. I have towed my 5er with it and am very pleased. Price wasn't bad either. Call jelag.

Jacobs works at any rpm with your 6 speed.

 

[Bovee]

how about the BD brake?anyone have or use that one?

 

[RolandJ]

I have BD inline and I love it . It was by far best upgrade. you have no idea how great they are until you have one.

 

[Ram4Sam]

how about the BD brake?anyone have or use that one?

I have a turbo mount BD, been on for over nine years and 83,000 miles and has been flawless. Can't imagine towing heavy without one.



Sam

 

[Bovee]

I just put about 12,000 in my truck and one of the things i did was go through my transmission. i put a bd torque converter and valve body in it. then everything else in the transmission is ats. and i'm impressed with the bd stuff. so thats why i'm looking towards the bd brake. i have alot of big long hills in alaska to go down so i'm looking for something good. thanks for your imput. and i'm with you sam. i voted for mccain and our girl sarah. haha

 

[JSchooley]

I have a bd on my 2001, 83,000 mi. I love it. Only problem was I have needed to clean the spool valve a couple of times.

I also have a bd on my 2005, 30,000 mi. It seems to work a little better than the other one.

I wouldn't want to tow without one. It sure takes the pressure off the down hill runs.

John

 

[davemac]

I`ve had a Jacobs on mine for about 100k mi. I love it. Think it cost about $775 & I installed it myself. Never a problem. Would`nt be without one,

 

[Wyomingcowboy]

I have an plder style pacbrake and I'll 2nd SNOKING on the customer service. I can't talk about the others since I have never dealt with them, I guess, but pacbrake has helped me out everytime I called. I would definitely go that route again.

 

[NIsaacs]

I have two older Pac brakes, with the orifice type relief. They always work and are trouble free. One is air operated and one is vacuum. However they are high RPM dependent. I understand the newer ones are much better, that they hold back at low RPM's like the BD.



I have a BD on my '01, over 100,000 miles of use, love it. It has the offset type butterfly that works down to an idle. My son has used Jacobs on his past and present Dodge, currently an '06 standard trans. My BD will hold back more at any RPM with a standard trans. then his does. I don't know how well any of them work with auto's. I have never owned one.



I can exit the freeway at 75 mph on a normal down hill type exit, hit the exhaust brake, continue to down shift as speed drops and arrive at the stop sign in second gear almost stopped never touching the brakes. This is with my truck empty. Buy one!!!





"NICK"

 

[Grizzly]

Jacobs works at any rpm with your 6 speed.

That's not what I've been told by those that have the Jacobs.

 

[AH64ID]

That's not what I've been told by those that have the Jacobs.

Not sure what they are talking about, or where they got that idea. The auto's won't work in 1st gear, but the 6-speeds work in all gears, and all rpms. In fact unless your using the ECM bypass on your Pac it uses the trucks ECM and works under the same conditions as the Jacobs. I have used mine all the way from 3200-750, its the same on my dads 06.

 

[bromano676]

I have a Banks 4" works great. I have to change the way I tapped the APPS wire. I am going to solder it. The t tap is getting old. Banks service is really good. I bought mine directly from them. The only thing that I don't like is that it doesn't engage until you hit 30 and then shuts off at 15. I am in the process of wiring up a micro switch under the hood. I installed the BD shifter switch. If I was to buy another one I would buy the PXRB, only bc of what I have read about it.

 

[Bovee]

ok i'm convinced. i gotta get an exhaust break. so do you think the air or the vaccume is the way to go?

 

[Sticks]

Electric, but that is only an option with the US Gear. Air and Vacuum take too long to close and release (unless you have an aux air tank). IMO