Recommend Exhaust Brake

[jhpfennig]

I have a 2005 3500 4x4 turbo diesel pickup with a 48re automatic transmission. Which is the most effective exhaust brake on the market ? Will it void my warranty if installed by myself or by a Dodge or Cummins dealer ? Does it have a provision for transmission lockup to aid in the braking process ? I appreciate your upcoming responses. Thank you.

 

[rbattelle]

I don't have any direct experience with exhaust brakes, but I know Mopar sells a "Jake" brand brake. You might start researching there, then see where it takes you. However, it looks like the brake will void your warranty... see this thread.



There are lots more threads about it. Try starting with a search on "jake", titles only, in the 3rd gen forums. That's how I found the aforementioned thread.



Ryan

 

[CSkal]

Wait a minute... I have a problem here. How can a Dodge approved exhaust brake (Jacobs) void a Dodge warranty? The Jacobs is the ONLY brake tested and approved by both Dodge and Cummins for use on the RAM trucks (read warranty safe). I don't know what the cutoff is, but on some of the earlier (12V?) models, installation of an exhaust brake required replacement (upgrade) of the valve springs in order for the warranty to be maintained. I may be incorrect; someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that I am.

 

[rbattelle]

Wait a minute... I have a problem here. How can a Dodge approved exhaust brake (Jacobs) void a Dodge warranty? The Jacobs is the ONLY brake tested and approved by both Dodge and Cummins for use on the RAM trucks (read warranty safe). I don't know what the cutoff is, but on some of the earlier (12V?) models, installation of an exhaust brake required replacement (upgrade) of the valve springs in order for the warranty to be maintained. I may be incorrect; someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't believe that I am.

I agree, it sounds wacky. I guess I take it as an exhaust brake will void warranty on an automatic, but not on a 6-speed? I'm really not sure.



Ryan

 

[CPG]

I have at least 4 friends that have a B/D exhaust brake and torgue/loc on their 04 & 05 trucks and yes, they are their own warranty station on this installation. B/D seems to have a good reputation. Again they feel it is worth the warranty risk due to the extra confidence of safety that they feel in this installation.

I intend to go with the B/D installation with my 04 as soon as I can as I need to rid myself of the "white knuckle" syndrome that I experience with my truck decending steep grades with my 26' 5r in the mountains. The tow/haul mode just does not settle my stomach on the severe grades we have out west here. Some of these people mentioned haul trailer's 30' + and feel the installation was worth it. They have the 48RE trans.

 

[jhpfennig]

I have a 2005 3500 4x4 turbo diesel pickup with a 48re automatic transmission. Which is the most effective exhaust brake on the market ? Will it void my warranty if installed by myself or by a Dodge or Cummins dealer ? Does it have a provision for transmission lockup to aid in the braking process ? I appreciate your upcoming responses. Thank you.

Thanks for the help. I'm told that the torque converter lockup is possible on 2005 48re depending on the month truck was built. Mine was produced in 5/05. The vin # is 3D7MS48C85G846855. Does it qualify ? Is there a way to visually inspect the transmission for the needed hardware ? Appreciate any help the TDR readers can offer.

 

[donnier]

What doesnt make sense to me is that DC shows a brake as an option, yet when asked about it, they claim that it wont work with the auto because of a problem with the electronics.

Cummins site shows a part number for brake along with a mopar number.

Why do they offer something that cant be used?

Id like to get one for my 05 2500 with auto but dont want to void the warrenty.

Whats a guy gonna do???

 

[ScottLewis]

Dodge made some modifications to the transmissions of the '06 models that allow it to function, very effectively, with the Jake Brake. I had the Jake added by the dealer when I bought my new truck. Dodge and Jacobs literature clearly emphasize that the brake is for manual transmissions and for '06 automatics only.



That said, I installed a BD brake on my '98, with their AutoLoc, and used it for the next 70K miles. I assumed responsibility for any transmission failure at that point but was not sorry I installed it. It still works very well.



Dan

 

[jhpfennig]

This message is for danavilla @ Manteca, Ca. Appreciate your response to my exhaust brake dilemma. I would enjoy talking to you via e-mail or by phone. E-mail address is -- email address removed -- or phone @ 716-625-8725. I'm in New York so allow for the 3 hour time difference. Evenings are beat to reach me. Thanks again.

 

[JSelman]

I dropped by my DC dealer yesterday and asked about exhaust brake options. They gave me a brochure (bulletin 4081477) which clearly states that the Jacobs exhaust brake is the only brake that Mopar endorses for Dodge Ram. It further states that the factory warranty remains in effect with the Jacobs brake. The brochure contains no caveats about transmissions, but the part number listed is for 2004. 5 and later models. Estimated cost for the brake and installation is about $1300.

 

[tdinut]

Hi jhpfennig,

What part of NY are you in? Which dealer do you plan on having the work done at? I'm on Long Island and curious. Thanks.



Joe

 

[jhpfennig]

What part of NY are you in? Which dealer do you plan on having the work done at? I'm on Long Island and curious. Thanks.



Joe

No final plans as to which dealer I'm having it installed by. Everyone I've talked to so far claims my warranty will be voided on an 05 with automatic. Your o6 should have the lockup provision already factory installed. Good luck.

 

[tdinut]

I talked to my local dealer today ...

and based on my experience with this last conversation, they are not getting my business with any more work on my truck. I asked if they could order the exhaust brake and quote my a price installed. They ask me, is there a Mopar part number for that? (I did not have it handy but hell, they could have looked it up) Do you tow? I said no, but listed the benefits of using one. Why do you want one? (I guess they didn't listen to what I was saying). It will put too much stress on the engine, you don't need it. Just use a cover for the radiator. Besides, it only comes with a 12 month, 12,000 mi. warranty he says. The service writer even thought it went on the muffler. At least the mechanic behind him had a clue where to install it. They had no desire/knowledge to help me or even understand what I wanted. I can't believe their stupidity. Is it me? :{ I pray I don't need warranty work for anything serious. Thank God for you guys. Rant over, for now.



Joe

 

[rbattelle]

They had no desire/knowledge to help me or even understand what I wanted.

I think this experience is very common for enthusiasts. Dealers aren't set up to deal with anyone except grandma who simply brings the car in when the little "maintenance required" light illuminates, turns over the keys, and never asks any thing about anything.



Ryan

 

[benhall]

The dealers won't install anything that will void a warranty, because if they did install something that wansn't designed for your truck, they would be held liable for it. In this sue happy country that we live in, do you blame them for not wanting to install the brake? If I was the service manager, I wouldn't let my people install it either. This is one time I will take the dealers side.



Ben

 

[CRuth]

Ben, I think thats a valid point, but why can't the dealer just be honest and say he won't install anything that would void the warranty, instead of giving him the runaround?

 

[ARedmon]

I have a 2005 Ram 2500 with CTD and G56 transmission. I plan to buy a 26-28 ft 5th wheel camper soon. It will be my first camper and first experience towing anything of any size. Do I need an exhaust brake? Can't I simply gear down on long downhill descents?

 

[Buffalo]

ARedmon,



I have an '03 QC, 4X4, NV-5600 & tow a 25' bumper pull travel trailer (7000 lbs). I live in AZ where we have some decent mountains. Phoenix is at the 1100' elev. & where I camp is at the 9200-9500' elev. (230 mile trip). That's an 8000+ foot climb.



So far, I have not found a NEED for an exhaust brake, however, I would like to have one (for fun).



Taking into consideration the type of terrain you will be driving & the fact that your fifth-wheel will be much taller than my conventional trailer (more wind drag on the FW), you may not need an exhaust brake. You may try towing without one & see how it works & then make your decision.



I'm sure there are folks that have the same set-up that you are interested in & tow in the same type of environment that you will be towing, that can give you better info. based on their experiences.



Another plus for the exhaust brake is that you can use it on a daily basis for slowing down the vehicle instead of using the service brakes. If used regularly, your service brakes should last almost forever.



If you don't mind spending the money, I don't see how you could go wrong by having an exhaust brake.



Joe F. (Buffalo)