Which Exhaust Brake is best?

[captainmike]

2006 Megacab CTD Automatic. I want to install an exhaust brake. Which is the best? The magazines are full of advertisements and all claim they are better. Can I put in a brake other than the Dodge Jakebrake and maintain the warranty? If so which is the best unit. The Pacbrake PRXB seems popular. What about the BD brake? What do you think? Thanks, Mike

 

[Cattletrkr]

BD brake in mine. If not for the exhaust brake feature of the new turbos, I'd put one in my next truck. It's better than the Jacob's I had in my '01.

 

[ScottLewis]

This is a little like asking what color is best. There are a lot of good products out there and most of them could be the best one for you. I had a BD in my '98 and liked it. I have a Jacobs in my '06 and like it. The air pressure activated may be a better choice, particularly if you'ld like having an air compressor for horns, etc. Quite a few on TDR swear by Pac Brake.



Dan

 

[jelag]

We sell a lot of the pacbrakes to TDR members... . I own 3 dodges that work hard and we have air bags, air horns running off our pacbrake compressor... .

The new design is the key reason they are so popular... . go to Pacbrake Exhaust and Engine brakes and look up the c44045... . If you have an interest let me know and I'll quote you on one... .

The key features you need to look for is a vendor who works with the engine builders... . both jacobs and pacbrake have the ability to supply brakes for cat, cummins, mack, isuzzu etc when the engines go down the assembly line... this insight gives them a very good relationship with the engine builders and some great products...

Hope this helps...

 

[BGabaldon]

Ive had both pac break and jacobs. Pack break lasted 270,000 miles on my 96'12V no problems ionly have 4000 miles on my 06' we shall see.

 

[phicks]

I went with BD, excellent product and very knowledgeable support team. As with any aftermarket product make sure you choose the install shop very carefully.

 

[flyairam]

Mike,



PacBrake is the only one I've used, but the reason I chose it was because of the actuation method. It's an electrically driven compressor, as opposed to the belt driven vacuum pump on the Jake.



I'd rather only use the compressor when needed (and can even turn it off) instead of running a vacuum pump all the time. As pointed out by Jim (jelag), you can use the compressed air for other things too. Not so with vacuum.



Secondly, the PRXB supposedly has more low rpm braking than the competitor because of its pressure regulating ability(the relief orifice on the butterfly is closed at lower pressures). I can say that it has enough braking ability at 1600 - 1800 rpm to hold my 10,000 lb. trailer on a significant Colorado grade.



Lastly, the cost through Pacific clutch and brake was two or three hundred less than the Jacobs through their distributor network.



My PacBrake has seen only 1000 miles of use, all towing, and I had the plastic pressure line fail at the cylinder from heat. It was at the top of a long pull and I heard it go "ppppppsssssshhhhhh". I turned off the compressor and fixed it at the next stop by taking out the ruptured segment (about eight inches) and wrapping the vulnerable part in tin foil.



If you're anywhere near me I'll let you test drive mine so that you can compare it to a Jacobs. Mine is the six speed, though.



Randy

 

[captainmike]

Well, this all looks good. Seems to be leaning toward the Pacbrake and also the BD, both over the Jake. I like the Pac due to the pressure regulator and the air compressor. But, what about the factory warranty, is it void if I install the Pac, instead of the Dodge/jake? Anybody know?

 

[captainmike]

Okay Jim (jelag),



I'm interested in the Pacbrake. Looks like the C44045 you stated is the right one. Does it interface with the automatic transmission and engine electronics? What about the factory warranty?



Thanks, Mike

 

[captainmike]

Thanks Jim (jelag),



Received the Pacbrake and installed it in my garage. It took a bit longer than advertised but that is okay. After all, a I am a home mechanic, don't do it full time. The installation went well and it worked fine the first time. I haven't towed with it yet but don't anticipate any problems. The interface with the engine/transmission computer is very nice. Activating the brake imediately results in a shift to 3rd gear. It disengages briefly while shifting to 2nd gear and continues to provide significant braking down to 20 mph where it disengages. Nice system. I'm very satisfied with it. Can't wait to use it towing my 12,000 5er. Thanks, Mike

 

[ENafziger]

I went with the Jacobs Exhaust Brake on my '06 due to the warranty issue... and wish I hadn't. With only 35k miles on the truck, the vacuum pump for the jake brake locked up, broke the serpentine belt, snapped the tensioner pulley, and sent it through the radiator shroud and into the radiator.

After doing some research, it seems like many of these vacuum pumps give out after 30k - 40k miles. In hindsight, I would much rather have a non-dodge warranteed brake that is going to last 100,000+ miles without major service, than to go with the Jacob's brake and have such low quality.

A secondary problem with the Jake brake, is that the vacuum pump requires a longer serpentine belt to be used; for this reason, I also carry a stock length belt to bypass the vacuum pump when it goes out. However, even this does no good when the tensioner snaps as well.

I like the Jacob's brake, but if I had it to do over, I'd definately look at the Pac Brake. --Eric

 

[JimScott]

I put a PacBrake on mine, because I had heard a lot of stories about the unreliability of the Jake brake. It works well towing a 12,000+ 5th wheel. Made a big difference on some big downhills in Oregon, I almost didn't have to use the service brakes at all. I also like the supplemental air for inflating tires, etc.

Jim

 

[WMcGuire]

pacbrake

I'm curious if the new 2007 variable turbo with exaust brake combination is backward compatible, or even feasible instead of installing an exaust brake only ??

 

[jelag]

Guys.....

Don't forget to recheck the connection between the turbo and your pacbrake one time... the heating and cooling tends to loosen it up... . one recheck is good enough... .

WMcGuire..... the design of the variable turbo allows it to restrict the engine and will serve well as an exhaust brake. . the circuit is already in the computer (ECM) and so is the software... . it just needs the connection on the dash or a wiring kit..... Which means if your truck has the 6. 7 engine and variable turbo, yes it can be added with just the wiring kit..... your bio says you've got an 06 so you'd need the complete kit... . drop me an email for TDR pricing. .

I just ordered an 08 5500 and they (dealer) can't decide if its a standard item on this truck as there is no option for it like there is on the build sheet for the 2500 and 3500's... an up charge of 495 for the wiring and switch.....

If my truck doesn't come with the switch the dealer said he'd provide it free... as he saw no way to add it... . nor could he find if it was a standard feature on the 5500's..... when we first looked at the build sheets a month ago before pricing we thought they said it was a standard feature... ... but the pages changed on the computer once prices were added so now we don't know...