Which Exhaust Brake for HO w/48RE transmission

[Singletrack]

I am shopping for an exhaust brake and transmission lock-up controller for my '03 HO w/ 48RE automatic. I am concerned about some claims that it may void the warranty.



I've read various comments on TDR about using exhaust brakes with the new 48RE automatic. Some Dodge Cummins owners have success with dealer installations of exhaust brakes and some owners are rejected.



However, the most concerning comments come from Carlton Bale -

Cummins Exhaust Brake Development / Engineering.



I have two questions. 1) Does the installation of an exhaust brake and transmission lock void my warranty?

Banks, BD, and Pack Brake reps tell me that it doesn't. A Jake Brake rep explained that they don't have a solution yet for the 48RE but they are working on it. I would like to hear what you, the end users, have learned.

2) Which brake /transmission lock provides the best value and preformance? Is it the Banks exhaust brake with Smartlock transmission Brake, BD exhaust brake with BD TowLoc or AutoLoc or Torqloc, The Pac Brake with ATS lockup controller, or Jacobs exhaust brake? One BD rep told me that the 48RE does not require a transmission lock because it provides positive lockup down to 1,800 rpm.



Any comments appreciated.



Tom



'03 Quad, 3500 SLT Laramie, Sport Pkg, DRW, 4x4, HO/48RE, 3. 73 w/Limited Slip, B&W Gooseneck hitch/tow Pkg.

 

[bish777]

Cummins Diesel Exhaust Brake.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Extensive testing has been conducted of the Dodge Ram 48RE automatic transmission with an exhaust brake-equipped Cummins Turbo Diesel. Dodge and Cummins have identified vehicle control system and hardware changes that are necessary before factory approval is given to this application. For this reason, use of any exhaust brake on a 2003 Dodge Ram with an automatic transmission will not be approved. Dodge and Cummins are working to approve the use of an exhaust brake with the 48RE automatic transmission during the 2004 model year. A calibration change, planned to be introduced in January 2004, will allow the use of the Jacobs Exhaust Brake on model year 2004 Dodge Rams equipped with 48RE automatics. These changes will ensure consistent and enhanced braking performance. This calibration will not be applicable to model year 2003 vehicles due to hardware changes that will take place for model year 2004. "

 

[CIverson]

Why not just take it off before you take it into the dealer. Hopefully there is nothing they can read to clue em into the fact you had one installed.

 

[RobG]

It seems to me that this "change" is going to upset a lot of 2003 owner (myself included). It also seems that either DC or the aftermarket will make an "upgrade" or "retrofit" kit available so that 2003 owners who want exhaust brakes can still have one.



I still have the US Gear 4" inline e-brake leftover from my '01 that I would like to use with the new truck at some point, but for now it's content sitting on the floor in my garage until we figure all this stuff out. It's been sticking for the last year (soot buildup), so I really haven't used it much and have just gotten used to not having it.



Plus the brakes on the new truck are even better than my '01, which were already pretty darn good...



Rob

 

[DBVZ]

I did some review of this issue, and for towing mostly on the flat and under 10,000 pounds the e-brake is a nice addition but not necessary. For towing over 10,000 pounds with frequent mountain driving it is almost a necessity for safety. In between you need to evaluate the frequency of need, and make your own judgement.



If the e-brake is needed, and you have the 2003 with the 48re like I do, you have a warranty issue if you add the e-brake; because if you have a transmission problem that can be blamed on the brake, then DC does not need to fix the transmission under warranty. It should not be a problem with warranty repairs for the Cummins, because the e-brake is approved for the Cummins with the 6-speed. So the real issue is whether you need the e-brake enough to pay for a transmission rebuild if the 48re fails.



To help answer that, how would you want to rebuild that 48re if it failed because of the e-brake? Would you put it back together stock - which is all DC would do anyway? What you should do is rebuild it stronger so that it does not fail again, right? DC will not pay for a rebuild by ATS using the TripleLoc clutch, for example.



About the need for an aftermarket transmission lockup controller, look at the rpm you cruise at. Maintaining lockup down the 1800rpm does not solve the problem when you cruise at 60mph and don't get to 1800 unless you downshift to 3rd. I have read some good things about the Emjay Controller. You can choose any controller with any e-brake, I believe.



Personally, I think I would use an e-brake that is air powered rather than vacuum powered, because you can do a lot with that air pressure - air horns, a line to air up tires, pump up air shocks, etc. etc. With the 48re, you need either an air compressor or a vacuum pump in addition to the e-brake, which is why the brake is about $500 more to add this year. I would add a frame mounted aux. air tank for powering any other air uses, and to supplement the output of the little compressor when the e-brake needs to be on for a long downgrade.



Bottom line, if you need the e-brake just do it and expect to rebuild the 48re at your expense for $4-5,000.

 

[RobG]

While your suggestions make sense, if I had wanted to spend $4000-5000 to rebuild my transmission, I would not have bought this thing in the first place.



I've already fried one automatic (in my '96) which prompted me to get a 6sp '01 truck. I got tired of shifting and so I researched the 48RE and found that it had been substantially beefed up (roughly the equivelent of of the $2500 DTT 47RE) so I figured I would try it.



So that being the case, I did not buy this truck to spend considerable money rebuilding the freakin' transmission. I think DC should make the upgrade parts available for '03 owners so that we can use an e-brake without worrying about toasting the trans OR voiding the warranty. I have very few mod plans for this truck because I expect it to be covered by DC should anything happen. I went too far on the last truck and won't make that mistake again.



Rob

 

[DBVZ]

RobG



I agree the 48re should hold up to a lot, and should do ok with the e-brake. My point was that IF it fails, it will likely not be covered by DC if you have an e-brake. It may not fail, or it may take several years, but if and when it does you will want it rebuilt stonger anyway.



On another thread, some owners have found dealers willing to install the e-brake and assume warranty responsibility. That may not be valid at any other dealer, and DC may not reimburse them if they find out they allowed the e-brake, but if you can get the warranty in writing when you have the e-brake installed that may be the way to go. It may not help much if it fails 2000 miles from that dealer though.

 

[RobG]

I will probably not put the e-brake on until I find out if DC will release the "updated" parts and then cover it under warranty. I don't think it will be needed after my recent trip from Reno to Moab and back where I barely used it on my '01 since it was sticking and didn't want to disengage. I still didn't really have to use the brakes.



I'm all about keeping this truck much more reliable than the old one. Not that the old one wasn't... it was. I just would prefer to let DC pick up the tab for failures instead of having to worry about fighting with them over mods.



Rob