Western Diesel Brakes

[Archive]

I just watched a "Trucks!" show on TNN and they installed a brake system from Western Brake on a phurd PS. They claimed a 30% increase in braking without the need for an exhaust brake (if i understand them correctly). They installed a "control box" under the dash and made a connection under the hood. I couldn't figure out what this thing does. They claimed that an exhaust brake voids the warranty. I wish they would research before they make comments like that. #ad
Has anyone purchased or heard of this braking system?

Ooops. Have to stop typing now and drive somewhere. #ad
#ad
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Tim

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2001, 3500, 2X4, QC, SLT, Auto, 3. 54 gears, camper and tow packages. Lance model 1130 camper.

 

[Archive]

Tim,
My dad has a PSD and he just purchased this brake and a chip for his truck (now maybe he can keep up with me #ad
)but the brake controlls a valve that is in the exhaust system now that closes when the engine is first started and is cold, helps in warming up it works off of the throttle position of the pedal which is all electronic. looks like a good setup and you use something that is in the exhaust already. Now I get to install it on Monday.

Paul

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'96 2500 ext. cab, LB, 4x4, 5 speed, 3. 54, TST 280 cam plate, AFC spring kit ,pyro and boost gauges mounted on A-Pillar

 

[Archive]

As far as I know, the "Jake Brake" engine brakes are fully supported by Cummins. That means, no warranty problems, and no mods to the engine (beyond installing the brake, at least for the 24 valve TDs. )

I've used these on numerous "big" trucks, and they work well for a long time without worry. CAT has (or used to have) a better system that used a selectable, zero-loss viscous coupling between the engine and drivetrain to accomplish engine braking, but I haven't seen any such thing for our "little" trucks; too bad - it worked really well.

Oh well, maybe the Power Wagon will have a CAT with all the goodies...

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1999 Sport 2500 QC LB, 4x4, SLT, 5 Spd, 3. 54, Camper Package, Trailer Package, Linex liner, SmittyBilt nurfs, K&N filters, 265/75R16 BFG MT

 

[Archive]

When i had my PS you could hear it open when the truck warmed up. It works like an exhaust brake but not as much pressure. You can really hear it with straightpipe.

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99, 4x4, slt, 3500,5spd,
3. 54 gears, black,hoswel bale bed, blue box, Pac-
Brake, 5in. sraightpipe, K&N, silencer ring removed, 5 star aluminum wheels,brushguard, blackouts, eclipse stereo, matrix headlight bulbs, blue neon fog lights, KC Daylighter, Dodge splash guards, Lund Cold Fronts

-- email address removed --
"Use to be Strokin' now I'm Cummin'

 

[Archive]

The Garrett TP38 that is used on the PowerStroke uses a butterfly valve to backpressure the engine during cold warm-up - Ford has a 'window defrost' requirement that required the valve be included - at least that was the way it was explained to me.

Western is adding the functionality of an exhaust brake to the valve. Personally, I'm not sure I'd go that route - don't know if the valve is up for brake service as opposed to warm-up service.

Brian

 

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sounds kinda like the typical BrandF approach--"just barely" engineering (Dana 50 front axle,etc,etc)--I predict destruction of the warmup doohickey, resulting in foggy windows and more accidents--from something originally intended as a safety enhancement

 

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"Jake Brake" refers to an engine compression brake designed by Clessie Cummins, and patented by Jacobs Mfg; and is a different animal than the exhaust brakes used on the little cummins. Same basic effect, just a different way of getting there.

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'01 2500 QC LB 2WD 6sp HO SLT+ leather 3. 54 ltd slp BLACK trailer tow and the all important cab lights. ordered 2/25 arrived 4/13 (for hauling motorcycles)

95 Freightliner FLD132 70" Condo 470 Detroit 13spd 3. 36 (to pay for motorcycles)
89 H-D FXRS, 99 Triumph 955i, 86 Suzuki GSXR750 ltd, 00 Aprillia SL1000

98 Yamaha YZF-R1(race), 95 Kawasaki ZX7(race)

 

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rich m,
The 'warm-up' butter-fly works very well in its intended application.

My comment is/was intended to shed some light on the fact that an aftermarket company is putting the valve into a service that it may or may not have been designed for. I have no idea what kind of durability testing Western Brake has done on this new 'application'.

Brian

 

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yup. i worded that "slam" poorly, and wound up throwing it the wrong direction---I suspect, though, that if it's going to be treated the same as a "pac brake", because it wasn't intended as such, it probably wasn't "overbuilt" to the point that it would be expected to survive..... unless some guy at BrandF had that as the root idea, but didn't want to scare Navistar... wouldn't that be a pleasant surprise for all parties concerned???