WHEN do you need exhaust brakes?

[Mad Bomber]

Ex brake

Val, since you have a 96 you'll need to get HD Ex springs also. BTW the Ex brake is great. A real good way to save your brakes. I have the B-D because they tend to work better at lower RPM's. Eric

 

[VGiacalone]

Thanks for the info Eric! I'll put those on my list too!



Does this "to get" list ever stop???







Valarie

 

[plongson]

I just pulled that grade from Bear Lake to the summit with 17k GCW a couple of weeks ago... REAL STEEP... I can't imagine going down loaded without an ebrake... .

 

[CoreyPerez]

I'll support the BD Claim also. As far as the switch, I run one on the end of the 6sp. Its a nice little lever to turn it on and off and I find my self using it all the time.



I don't know how hard the exhaust springs are to install, but I've done the 3k Gov spring install, and it wasn't all that indepth.



Corey

 

[jtwcummins]

Wouldn't tow anything w/o ebrake. The exhaust valve spings have to be replaced. They are 30-35 lb spring and the brake will be a dissapointment if the 60lb springs aren't installed. Factory springs can cause the valves to float and bad things can happen.



When I did my springs I bought 6 extra and replaced both intake and exhaust springs. Adds a couple of minutes per cylinder or about 50 bucks more if a shop does it. Eventually you will be bombing and having the HD springs will allow the Gov spring upgrade at a later date. Once you start there is no end to what can be done to make these 12 valves awesome.



It's a bomb bug and unavoidable

 

[BV]

What they said and I may have missed it but and E-Brake can also be used to help warm that peacup on cold mornings

 

[VGiacalone]

Oh great, I picked a "BOMB bug!" I've spent the last days reading the all the past TDR magazines I could get. I know little about engines and less about diesels, but I sure have learned a lot!



Looks like my list is getting longer and I'll be getting a second job! And I always thought my horses were my main obsession!



I'm going to take a diesel mechanics class at the local tech college this winter so I can get more familiar with my truck. Does that sound stupid to all you mechanical wizards out there? I look under the hood and see "stuff. " I want to be able to at least do the basics myself. I hate the "helpless woman" thing.



Maybe I'll write a column on going from a mechanical moron to a gearhead... .



As usual, thanks for all your input!

Valarie

 

[klenger]

I'm going to take a diesel mechanics class at the local tech college this winter so I can get more familiar with my truck. Does that sound stupid to all you mechanical wizards out there? I look under the hood and see "stuff. " I want to be able to at least do the basics myself. I hate the "helpless woman" thing.



Maybe I'll write a column on going from a mechanical moron to a gearhead... .

And then you will be posting to this topic: https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=48612

 

[hutch]

exhaust brake

Valarie, I live 5miles north in Idaho, Weston. I pull a horse trailer and wouldn't leave home with out it. Put it on in March and really like it. If you want to drive one with a brake let me know. Welcome to the Best Wed site there is. Hutch

 

[willyslover]

Valerie



IMHO... look at Pac Brake. . it's more reasonably priced [oft times on sale at one of the vendors... Piers is a good place to check out]



I have had both Pac and now have a BD 4" remote... Pac works every bit as well as BD and they are much lower in price



and the Valve Springs need to go in before you do the brake as you tune the brake to the compression spring rate level you are at. . [30 or 60..... 60 holds much much better]